Evening star., 1898-01-27
President McKinley's Dinner to the
Diplomatic Corps Last Evening.
A NOTABLE ENTERTAINMENT
The Executive Mansion in Gala
Dress for the Occasion.
RECEPTIONS, TEAS, DINNERS

members of the diplomatic corps. The
distinguished guests arrived promptly. the
charge of Russia being first to enter. fol-
lowed closely by the minister of China,
who held by the hand his picturesque
little wife. Carriages driving UP in quick
succession, the company was finally made
complete by Mrs. Sheridan, who tripped
across the wide portico holding her white
satin skirts from the dust quite five min
utes before the moment for descending to
the east room had been reached. The
great reception room was Illuminated by
soft white ceiling light falling through
green mist of festooned vines. The pill
lars OF the room were garlanded with
greenery, and masses of tropical plants ar
tistically screened the side walls except
where the portraits hung. The mantels of
the two broad mirrors on the east side of
the room were banked with crimson and
White flowers, and from a profuse grouping
of branches red and white azaleas above
the mirror tops, a PLAGUE of flowers was
suspended on each by garlandS of vines.
The other mantels were ornamented by
palms and other long-leaved tropical plants
alone, but branches of azaleas were clus-
tered above them.
In the center of the rooms and here and
there were circular groups of tall plants,
showing every shade of green, every form
OF leaf. The credit for the unusually pretty
effect in the east room is due Mr.. George
-. Ol.
Bingham and Lieut. Gilmore met the guests
on their entrance to the east ROOM and
after short time escorted them to the
blue room, where the President and airs.
Mckinley and Mr.. and Mrs. Lafayette VII
liams of Chicago, guests of the house,
awaited them. Mrs. Mckinley wore cos
tune of black velvet, with point lace, and
handsome diamonds; Mrs McWilliams was
gowned in white silk, with jewels. The
Secretary of State presented the members
or the corps as they passed with their la
dies before their distinguished host. The
diplomats who appear in uniform at Wash
ington were all in glittering array, with the
exception of the Japanese minister, who
wore evening dress, and decorations suS-
pended about his neck.
The British ambassador, dean of the
corps, with Lady Pauncefote gowned in
lowered brocade with jewels led. followed
by the German ambassador, the French am
6assador, the Mexican minister and Mrs;
Romero, who wore turquoise satin and
jewels, the Netherlands minister, the min
lister of Sweden and Norway, the minister
of Chile and Mrs. Cana whose costume
was OF rose velvet, diamonds and pearls !;
the minister of Austro-Hungary and Bar
onness Hengelmuller, whose costume was
white tulle embroidered with pearls and
gold over white satin, bodice of gold lace
and embroidery jewels emeralds and dia-
monds; the minister of Switzerland and
Mrs. Pioda; the Spanish minister and Mrs.
de LONE. silver-gray satin, black lace,
cerise aigrette in her hair, and jewels; the
minister of Denmark, the Hawaiian minis
ter and Mrs. Hatch, the minister of Ecua-
dor and Mrs. Carlo, the minister of Por-
tugal and Viscomtess Santo Thyrso the
minister of Argentine Republic the minis
ter of Japan, the minister of Haiti and
Mrs. Leger rose satin and diamonds; the
minister of Belgium and Countess Lich-
tervelde. the Chinese minister and Mrs.
WI, court dress; the minister of Peru, the
minister of Costa Rica and Mrs. Calvo,
black satin. diamonds; the charge daft
faires of Italy. the charge d'affaires of
Colombia and Sonora Rengifo, pink satin,
diamonds and pearls: the charge daft
flares of Russia, the charge d'affaires of
Turkey, the charge daffaires of the
Greater Republic of Central America, Sen
white satin and diamonds; Senator and
Miss Morgan. silver-blue satin; Mr. and
Mrs. Hit, costume pearl satin, jewels; Mr.
Dinsmore, the assistant secretary of state
and Mrs. Day. Mrs. Sheridan, white satin
and pearls; Mrs. Hazen.
The cards of the guests soon showed
them i'll what order they would go out to
the dining room, and presently the Presi-
dent led the way with Lady Pauncefote
Mrs. Mckinley coming last with the Brit
ish ambassador. Notable couples that ap-
peared together in the procession to the
dining room were the Spanish minister
with Mrs. Leger, wife of the minister of
Haiti; the Chilean minister and Mrs Wu
wife of the Chinese minister; the Secretary
of State and Mrs. Romero. There were
twelve ladyless gentlemen, including wild
are absent from the capital.
The banquet table was marvelously light
and dainty in appearance considering its
generous breadth and length. Pink and
crystal. gold candelabra, the many branch
es shaded with rose color silk; exquisite
fruit, and at either end mounds of orchids,
amid whose delicate clusters tiny electric
lights cleaned like hundreds of colored
firefies, made up the decoration. Presi-
dent Mckinley had at his right Mrs. Nc
kinley, at his left Lady Pauncefote. Sir
Julian occupying the place of honor beside
the hostess. Wines served were: Sherry,
Sauterne, fine red wine, and champagne.
one glass being reserved for mineral water.
The menu was: Blue points, turtle soup,
caviare in jelly, bluefish, with sauce; filet
CT veal, sauce. green peas, truffies; frozen
punch, terrapin a la Maryland, canvas
back duck, hominy, cucumbers, pistache
ice, served with a glace coronet of candy,
cakes bonbons.
The President having led the way to
the blue room after the banquet, he per-
sonally invited the gentlemen to the red
room for coffee and cigars. Many small
tables were set about the smoking room,
at one of which the chief executive seated
himself, with Senator Morgan at one side
and Senator Davis at the other. Imme-
diately in front wassa table at which, fac
ing the host, were grouped the British
ambassador the French ambassador the
German ambassador and the Spanish min
lister. At Mr.. Sherman's table the Italian
charge. the Belgian and Chinese ministers
chatted; Mr.. Hit, with Mr.. Romero, Mex
lean minister; charges of Central Ameri-
can republics, Venezuela and Colombia:
the assistant secretary of state, Ha-
waiian minister and many other interest
ing groups. The minister of the Neither,
lands walked up and down. visiting the
different nations, as he puffed his evidently
satisfactory cigar. The interesting scene
having grown misty with curling smoke
the President returned with his guests to
the blue room, where the ladies were chat
ting, and. after brief interval of general
conversation. the company dispersed. Ow-
Ing to imperial mourning, the Coreans
were not present.
Comment on this first state dinner of the
administration Is most flattering. Col.
Bingham comes in for an unusually gen
erous number of compliments because of
his gallant bearing, ready wit and easy
and instant recognition by name of the
many representatives of other countries
he has had as yet so limited intercourse
with in Washington. His experience as
military attache at Berlin stands him in
good stead.
Surgeon General and Mrs. Sternberg will
entertain at large reception Saturday
evening next.
Col and Mrs Sumner will entertain at
''Tea Dansant' this afternoon at Fort
Myer. The dancing will be in the post hon
room. from to o'clock. Col. and Mrs.