The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-12
PRESIDENT AND PRINCE
Albert of Belgium Dined at the
Executive Mansion.
Chevy Chase Concert for Benefit of
Maine Sufferers the Leading
Event OF This Afternoon.

Prince Albert of Belgium-his royalty
yelled under the title of NJ lie Comte de
Rethy-was the guest of honor last night
at n dinner given by the President and
Mrs. Mckinley and which by reason of
the number of lovely girl guests and the
Picturesqueness that doth hedge even a
future king, was probably the most thor
oughly delightful if it may not rank as
the most inspiring banquet given at the
White House this year
The Executive Mansion was decorated
with the floral magnifcence usual on such
occasions, the East Room showing even
a more elaborate profusion of flowers of
/ gorgeous hue. Down the center of the
+ vast room were placed mounds of tropical
/ foliage. and tall palms and bay trees
. screened the east window entirely from
4 view. The space@ov,4r each door was fill
ed with anplInciation lilies. scarlet aza-
/ leas and purple hyacinths; the mantels
/ were massed with thousands of creamy
roses, and at every point-on the ceiling,
the walls, mirrors and chandeliers-were
/ garlands Of delicate vines whose lace-like
tendrils We're almost as ethereal as sea
spray.
/ The table was laid in the main corridor,
and down its length were placed. alter
nately. oval and circular plats of magnif-
cent ferns, in which were bedded pink
roses. wax blooms and orchids of every
exquisite shade. Tall crystal vases OF
pink roses. together with ferns and or
chids. arranged in golden baskets were
interspersed with the floral set pieces
and down the entire length Of the board
were grouped gilt chandeliers. with theiI
clusters of white candles murning under
/ crimson shades.
The guests, as usual, were received in
the East Room by the President and Mrs
Mckinley, and the way to the banquet
hall was enlivcned by the Marine Band
which was stationed in the conservatory
and rendered splendid selections through
out the evening, under the direction OF
Prof. Santelmann, who made his first ap
pearance last night as the leader of thu
band After dinner, when the compan!
had adjourned TO the drawing room. Mr.
Leo Stern gave a beautiful solo on th'
cello, accompanied on the piano by Mr.
Luckstone.
To be thoroughly in accord with hi
incognito the prince wore no decoration
TO distinguish him from the other gentle
men present. but like them wore conven
ventional evening dress and snowy tie
He escorted Mrs. Mckinley to the table
the President leading with Mrs. Hobart
Count LichterYelds took in Mrs. Hit, an
the Countess LichterveIde's escort wa
Z Vice President Hobart. The other guest
We're the Secretary of State, the Score
: tary of the Treasury and Mrs Gage, tn
Z Secretary of War and Mrs. Alger, tn
4 Attorney-General and Mrs Griggs, tn
4 Postmaster-GeneraI and Mrs. Gary. N
4 Secretary of the Navy and Mrs. Ions
Y . pf he Int md
Z Bliss, the Secretary of Agriculture an
4 Miss Wilson, the Minister of Belgium
4 Countess de Lichtervelde. NJ. lie Colon'
Jungbluth. NJ. lie DR.. Melis. Mr.. Mauric
: Joosteus. the ambassador OF Great Bri
ain. the ambassador of Germany. tn
Z ambassador of France, the Mexican Minis
I ter and Nine. Romero, Secretary Porte
Hon, Levi p. Morton, Senator Allison
Senator Burrows and Mrs. Burrows, Ser
' ator Hanna and Mrs. Hanna, Represents
tive Hit and Mrs. Hit, Representatiy
4 Bennett Representative Bingham, Rel
4 resentative Adams, Admiral and Mr.
4 Matthews Acknowledgement Corbin
= Commander and Mrs. Glover. Dr. an
> Mrs. John c. Boyd, Assistant Secretar
a Of State and Mrs Day Mr. and Mrs. AL
a ner Mckinley, Miss Pauncefote. Mis-
4 Boardman. Miss Letter. Miss Daisy M'
4 Kenna. Miss Marie McKenna, Miss We
4 more Miss Reed Mrs. Beale Miss Mile
"A MISS BdIDeI, MISS bates, MISS f1OIstIIlanl
a Miss Ethel HOrstmann, Mrs. Sartori
4 Bingham, Assistant Secretary Adee. NJ
4 J. 3. Foraker, jr., and Assistant Seer,
= Jary Pruden.
Z Mrs Connen. wife of Representatiy
4 Cornell. OF Pennsylvania. left for III
= home in Scranton yesterday. She expec
= 10 be absent from Washington for tW
4 weeks.