Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-10
DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
President and Mrs. Mckinley enter
tsined the peace commissioners at
dinner last night in recognition
of the success with which they
adjudicated the treaty between the
United and Spain. Never has the Ex-
ecutive Mansion responded more ar
tistically to the inspiration OF the HoT-
let, who must have exhausted both his
ingenuity and the White House con.
servetories in his determination to in
sule a success never achieved before.
The ceiling OF the East Room was
starred with electric lights under opal
escent bulbs, and festooned with smi
lax that swung in airily graceful loops
from the prisms of the crystal chande-
iers. The mantels were banked with
bride roses, white hyacinths and pink
carnations, with an outer edge of poin-
setta blossoms as vivid as fame, and
contrasting hedge of snowy sz4lias.
Immense plaques of pink and white
carnations were suspended before the
smilsx-veiled mirrore, and the ife-siZed
portraits OF LincolD, Jefferson and
General and Mrs. Washington that
hang on the east walls were draped
with viues and the space between
banked to the ceiling with palms.
As carriage after carriage Whirled up
to the portlco aud the maeni6cently
gowned women rnd distinguished meu
moved across the carpeted plaza 10 the
door, the commissioners and their wives
were directed to cloak rooms to the
right Of the main vestibule, while the
guests invited to meet them were ush-
cred to the left. They assembled later
in the East Room, where they were
joiued by the President and Mrs. Nc
Kinley, whose approach was hevalded
by tie trumpeters OF the Marine Band.
Tee Presidents hospitality Lass night
was of so generous q character as TO
overflow the bourd Diary lines of the state
dining room, and the table was placed IN
the main corridor TO meet the require
ments OF the company which, with MIR.
aud Mrs. Mckinley, numbered seventy
two. The way to the little bapqueI
nall was enlivened by the band, which
vas stationed in the conservatory, their
scarlet uniforms making a splendid
mass of color against the background OF
tropical green. President Mckinley
escorted Mrs. Hobart to dinner and
Mrs. Mckinley was attended by the
Vice President. Mrs. Days partner
was Secretary Hay and Mrs. Hay went
in with Judge Day.
From one end of the vast table to
the other were grouped massive gold
candelabra, the clustered candles burn
ing under shades of daintiest pink.
Midway of the bard, and forming q
floral barrier between the President
and his Wis avis, Secretary Hay, rose
mass of green orchids from base OF
maiden hair fern. Long-stemmed Gold
on Gate roses bloomed at intervals in
tall crystal vases set between plaques
of tropical fruits.
The toilets of the ladies were in su
perb keeping with the floral beauty of
the scene. Mrs. Mckinley wore with
pale pearl brocade, that flashed blue
in its high lights, quantity Of rich lace
and ornaments of diamonds.
The state dining room was trans
formed into smoking room for the
gentlemen. Its crimson walls ano
furnishings were contrasted with palms
and white hyacinths, aud the blue par
lor was idealized into q fairy bower
with delicate fern foliage and azalias OF
every dainty hue.