The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-28
THE OUTGOING FIRST LADY.
MRS. CLEvELAND's FAREWELL
BOW 40 WASHINGTON SOCIETY.

The Farewell Look at the President
and His Popular Nifc-A Bad Night
for HeceptioR-HOw the East
Room Was Decorated-Mrs. Cleve-
land Wore Her Most Becoming
GOwn-Adieus to Her Full of Re-
Eret-No Flemish on a white House
FnmiIy-Future Movements of
Present Cabinet Members-Somc
Facts About the Mothers, Congress-.
Washington, Feb. 27.-This is the very
last time we shall chronicle an official
function Of the Clevelands, for their final
reception in the white house has just been
given. So far as crush was concerned, it
was fitting climax to a most successful
social regime-but comfort was not in it,
Tor the skies wept necessarily Every
body who is familiar with a Washington
winter knows that the wettest wet on the
footstool prevails here during that sea-
son. We have little really cold weather
in this latitude-on the level of the sea,
without the bracing sea air-but a damp,
penetrating atmosphere that chlls the
very marrow in ones bones, and malaria
stalks abroad an efficient assistant 70
grim death in his reaping. Thanks to our
miles Of must boosted asphalt. covering
the streets from curb to curb rain has
no chance to soak into the earth and set
away with itself, but remains on top, Ike
water in plate, until passing feet ana
petticoats have mopped it up and carried
1t nome in the form of catarrh. la grippe
and pneumonia. But all the rains Of
heaven could not dampen the eagerness
OF the public to get a good last look" Of
the outgoing first lady" Before
oclock-the opening hour for the recep-
tlon-the great east room was packed so
tuIl OF more or less bedraggled humanity
that TO move about was out of the ques-
ton, and its floor, weakened by age, sag
ged perceptibly; while thousands of peo-
pie who could not possibly squeeze IN,
stood out in the rain, awaiting their turn
with what patience they could muster A
Wetter night was seldom seen, even in
Washington-not a good, honest downpoul
that washes the face of nature clean and
then clears out, but dreary, exasperat-
ing, furtive sort of drizzle-a regular Uri-
an Heap of a rain. Yet for two long
hours the multitude remained standing
TWO abreast, too closely crowded TO raise
umbrellas-the double line of men and
women extending from the steps of the
mansion down the semi-circle of tagging
to the gateway, and thence along Penn
sylvania avenue. past the state war and
navy department, half a mile or more
Fortunately, for those outside many of
the Tins" were unable to long withstand
the steaming atmosphere of the cas-,
room, with its wealth of flowers and con,
vention of moist clothes and dripping UNI
brellas soon became like an over-heated
conservatory; ladies tainted and perspir-
alton trickled down the faces of the men.
IA NH
ON duty at the white house, had their
hands full assisting the sufferers out Of
the windows, which had been turned into
exit doors for the occasion. AS each one
lett, his or her place was instantly filled
by some damp mortal from outside-yet
at 1890 o'clock the waiting line still ex.
tended away down the avenue below Sew
enteenth street. Then all thought of try
ing TO present each person formally was
abandoned. The reception was prolonged
at hour beyond its proper limit, while
people pushed into the door and we're
showed out of the window as fast as pos
sible; and so the very last one got in and
had a farewell look at the outgoing
President and his wife, though unreward-
ed by the coveted hand-shake Unlike
some previous encumbents of the white
house. Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland always
made 1t point to have the
parlors as carefully decked for
public receptions as for state func-
tionS in honor of the most
distinguished personages. There were the
usual tall palms and clumps of azaleas
and mantels banked with the first flow
ers of early spring, and wreaths of smilax
and roses twining the mirrors and festoon-
ing the great crystal chandeliers;and to all
these choicest products of the national
conservatory were added the striking fea-
ture, new 10 this season, of electric light
ing-stars and shields and anchors of tiny
~CI rr~i,f IL.
upon the gold and white pillars, encircled
by garlands of flowers. The music of the
marine band was especially fine for this
farewell occasion, and to hear and see
was quite enough to make up for the dis
comfort of wet feet and increasing snuff
fies. Mrs. Cleveland was as gracious and
charming as ever, and had wisely re-
served for the last, the very prettiest and
most becoming gown she has worn this
winter. It has a petticoat and bodice of
bright emerald velvet, with a skirt OF
Pompadour, peach-blow tinted silk
caught up high on one side and trimmed
with lace ruftles and gold passamenterie.
She wore no jewels but the latest fash
ionable fad of pink coral beads, and in
her hair single white flower Just so,
before the war, young ladies arrayed
themselves ito kilr'-looped-up overskirt
coral necklace, and hair with a rose in it.
The cabinet ladies were all in the re-
eeiving lines and beautifully gowned, and
if any hearts were sad because their lit
tie day of social elevation was over, the
smiling faces reflected no such thought;
and II was noticeable that whenever an
injudicious penson ventured to express
regrets, he or she was hurried along the
line and out OF the room rather faster
than other people. At 1870 o'clock, though
fully one-third of the throng had not
been shaken" even presidential forth
tude could stand no more; and so, to the
accompaniment of an inspiring march and
a grand flourish of trumpets, President
and Mrs. Cleveland, followed by the cab
inet-all still blandly smiiing-passed out
Of the blue room and up the wide stair
case to the private apartments of the
mansion-and the social side of the Cleve-
land administration had reached the fms.
According to Washington's book of ETH
quette, the first lady of the land, must
on no account set foot in a social way
inside Of any house except those of the
cabinet circle. Should she enter any OF
the splendid legation homes, or suffer
herself to be entertained by any lesser
dignitaries diplomatic usage would be