The herald., 1897-03-03
THE CLEVlANDg FAREWELL
Their Final Bow to Washing
ton Society
THE CABINET SCATTERING
Future Movements Of cleveIand's S
Ministers
Mrs. Cleveland Leaves Washington Univer-
sal Favcrite--A drist oil Conventions.
The 7others' Congress

Especial Correspondence to The Hera!d.)
WASHINGTON, March 2.-This is the
very last time we shall chronicle an Of
fetal function of the Clevelands, for
their final reception in the White House
has just been given. So far as crush
was concerned, 1t was fitting climax
to a most successful social regime-but
comfort was not in it, for the skies wept
incessantly. Everybody who is familiar
with the Washington winter knows that
the wettest wet on the footstool pre-
walls here during that season. We have
little really cold weather in this lati-
tude-on the level of the sea, without
the bracing sea air-but a damp. pene-
trating atmosphere that chills the very
marrow in ones bones. and malaria
stalks abroad, an efficient assistant to
grim death in his reaping. Thanks to
our miles of much boasted asphalt, COW
ering the streets from curb to curb rain
has no chance to soak into the earth
and get away with itself, but remains
on top. like water in plate, until pass
ing feet and pteticoats have sopped 1t
up and carried IT home in the form of
catarrh. la grippe and pneumonia.
A LAST LOOK
But all the rains of heaven could not
dampen the eagerness of the public to
get good last look" of the out going
first lady" Before nine oclock-the
opening hour for the reception--the
great east room was packed so full of
more or less bedra ggled humanity that
to move about was out of the question.
and its floor, weakened by age, sagged
perceptibly while thousands of people
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 good, honest down.
pour that washes the face of nature
exasperating. furtive sort OF drizzle-a
regular Uriah Heep 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 Pennsylvania avenue, past
the state war and navy departments
half a mile or more. Fortunately for
those outside, many of the ''ins" were
unable to long withstand the steaming
atmosphere of the east room, which,
with its wealth of flowers and conven-
ton of moist clothes and dripping UNI
brellas, soon became like an over-heated
conservatory; ladies tainted and per-
spiration trickled down the faces Of the
men. and the courteous officers who are
always 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 left, his or her place was in
stantly filled by some damp mortal
from outside, yet at 10:30 o'clock the
waiting line still extended away down
the avenue below Seventeenth street.
Then all thought of trying to present
each person formally was abandoned.
The reception was prolonged an hour
beyond its proper limit while people
pushed into the door and were showed
out of the window as fast as possible;
and so the very last one got in and had
a farewell look at the out going presi-
dent and his wife, though unrewarded
by the coveted hand-shake.
Unlike some previous incumbents of
the White House. Mr.. and Mrs. Cleve-
land always made 1t point to have the
parlors as carefully decked for public
receptions as for state functions in honor
of the most distinguished personages
There were the usual tall palms and
clumps of azaleas and mantels banked
with the first flowers of early spring,
anu WIcdlHS VI SiIllldA anu IOStS
ming the mirrors and festooning the
great crystal chandeliers; and to all
these choicest products of the national
conservatory were added the striking
feature, new to this season. of electric
lighting-stars and shields and anchors
of tiny red, white and blue incandescent
lights upon the gold and white pillars,
encircled by garlands of flowers. The
music of the marine band was especially
fnr "a n
hear and see was quite enough to make
up for the discomfort of wet feet and
increasing snuffles.
GOWNS AND GOSSIP
Mrs. Cleveland was as gracious and
charming as ever and had wisely reserv
ed for the last the very prettiest and
most becoming gown she has worn this
winter. 1t has petticoat and bodice of
bright emerald velvet, with a skirt of
Pompadour, peachblow tinted silk,
caught up high on one side and trimmed
with lace ruff1es and gold passementerie.
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 "to kill''--looped-u over
skirt, coral necklace and hair with a
rose in it. The cabinet ladies were all
in the receiving line and beautifully
cause this little day of social elevation
was over the smiling faces reflected no
such thought; and 1t was noticeable that
whenever an injudicious person ven
tured to express regrets he or she was
hurried along the line and out Of the
room rather faster than other people.
At 1880 o'clock, though fully one-third
of the throng had not been shaken -
even presidential fortitude could stand
no more; and So to the accompaniment
of an inspiring march and grand -four
sh of trumpets. President and Mrs.
Cleveland. followed by the cabinet-all
still blandly smiling-passed out of the
blue room and up the wide staircase to
the private apartments of the mansion
! and the social side of the Cleveland
administration had reached the finis.
THE CHARMED CIRCLE
According to Washington's book of
etiquette the first lady of the land must
on no account set foot in social way in
side 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
broken all to pieces an Europe would
indulge in a broad grin Of derision. That
sort of thing must have been hard, at
first, for the bride Of the White House
fresh from school, with an elderly hus-
band, cut off from association with girls
of her own age and all of the pleasure
of the young.
During nearly eight years she has
fulfilled the uttermost letter of the stiff
old laws-until within the pfet month