The times., 1898-11-17

The President and Mrs Mckinley en-
tertained at dinner last night in compli-
ment to the Joint High Commissioners
on the part of Great Britain and the
United States.
As each group of guests arrived in the
rain. which had increased from a misty
drizzle to a downpour, they were directed
to cloak rooms on the second floor.
Later they joined each other in the East
Parlor and shortly afterwards a fanfare,
executed by the trumpeters of the Marine
Band stationed in the main corridor. her
aided the descent by the grand stairway
of the distinguished host and hostess.
The President escorted Lady Paunce-
fote TO the table, which was laid in the
state dining room, and Mrs Mckinley
went in with the British ambassador.
The other guests were the Right Hon.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Lady Laurier,
the Right Hon. Lord Herschell Sir Rich
ard Cartwright and Miss Cartwright, Sir
Louis Davies and Lady Davies, Sir James
Winter the Hon. John Charlton and Mrs.
Charlton. Senator and Mrs. Fairbanks,
Representative Dingley, Mrs. Dingley and
Miss Dingley; Hon. John w. Foster and
Mrs. Foster Hon. John NJ. Kasson, Hon.
T Jefferson Coolidge and Mrs. Sears,
Chief Justice and Mrs. Fuller. Secretary
and Mrs. Hay, Secretary and Mrs. Gage.
Secretary and Mrs. Alger, the Attorney
General and Mrs. Griggs, the Postmaster
General and Mrs. Smith, Secretary and
Miss Long, Secretary and Miss Wilson.
Hon. Joseph Pope and Mrs. Pope, Miss
Scott, MIR. Henri Bourassa, Mr.. Chauncey
Cartwright and Mr.. Chandler Z. Ander-
son.
AS the guests seated themselves at the
places designated by the name cards,
each lady found lying across her plate
three great snow white chrysanthemums,
while boutonnieres of creamy rosebuds
fell TO her cavaliers share.
The table, its snowy length broadened
at each end to increase its seating ca
pacty. was aelow with waxen tapers that
burned in massive silver candelabra under
scarlet shades. The floral centerpiece con-
sisted of an oval mound of Pompeian red
chrysanthemums, fianked by jardinieres
of rare ferns. Crystal vases of pure white
roses, together with piats of chrysanthe-
NUNS in glowing tints alternated each
other, and between them were setepergnes
of gold and silver, holding bonbons and
fruit. The mantels were suggested snow
banks. SO richly Were they massed with
white chrysanthemums, and the walls and
mirrors were half screened by tropical
grasses and the foliage of tall, graceful
palms. a magnificent and unique bush,
bearing coral pink lilies with pistels of
pale yellow was placed at the entrance
of the main corridor, floral monument
to some horticultural genius who has SO
far succeeded in painting the lily as to
teach it to blush.
The patriotism which usually expresses
itself on such occasions in red, white and
blue electric lights, flags shields and
other symbols. was conspicuous last night
by its absence. The only national en-
blems in evidence were tiny flags of spun
candy heaped in bonbon bowls.
The blue and red parlors were thrown
open. and the East Room, like the GRIM
son carpeted corridor. was simply but ar
tistically decorated with palms.
The Vice President and Mrs Hobart will
return to Washington Monday.
Mr. Thomas W. Cridler Third Assist
ant Secretary of State, with his bride, for
merly Miss Telschow of Germany. have
arrived in Washington from their honey
moon trip across the ocean. Mrs. Cridler
is tall and of stately bearing, with the
proverbially fresh complexion of the
young women of her country, and with a
quantity of beautiful bronze red hair. Mr..
Cridler has taken apartments at the Hotel
Normandie, where they will pass the Win
ter.
A bal poudre will be given this evening
at Linthicum Hall. Georgetown, for the
benefit of the Children's Hospital. the
entertainment to be under the auspices of
St Mary's Guild. The guests will be re-
ceived by the officers of the guild, Mrs.
William Gordon, Mrs. Mayhem Platter,
Miss LOCKER, and Miss Weisel, and
number of the other members, among
them. Mrs. George Dunlop, Mrs. B. b.
Wilson, Mrs. Walter Wheatley, Mrs. John
Kurtz, Mrs. Thomas Bradley, and Mrs.
G.. L. Nicholson.
The babies of the Founding Hospital
will entertain at a tea this afternoon at
their asylum, 17l5 Fifteenth Street. from
to 6 O'Clock.
Mrs. w. p. Kellogg, president of the
board, assisted by the vice president.
will receive, and the forty babies will be
on exhibition in their dainty nurseries
on the second floor.
The salad and cake tables will be in
care of Mrs. Simon Wolf, Mrs. ]. B. Ken
dali, Mrs. ]. c. Pennis, and others, and
the confectionery will be presided over by
Mrs S. A Gillett, Miss Sewers. and 9TH
er gracious matrons and maids.
Mrs. Fairbanks viii resume her weekly
receptions today.
Calvary Baptist Church. beautifully dec
grated and filled to the doors, was the