The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-05-20
BRILLIANT RECEPTION.
Mrs. Westinghouse Entertains Me-
chanical Engineers.
Correspondence Of PhiladeIphia Ledger.

Correspondence of Philadelphia Ledger
WASHINGTON, May 12.-It would be
difficult to imagine anything more ornate
in decoration, more perfect in detail or
more distinguished in regard to guests than
was the reception given on Thursday even
ing by Mr.. and Mrs. George Westinghouse
in honor of the American Society of Me
ehanical Engineers, whose presence here
this week has been the reason for round
of entertainments and excursions In or
der to accommodate the guests, who num-
bered among the thousands, Mrs. West
inghouse had large pavilion erected at the
rear of her spacious home, on Dupont
Circle, the full width of the house, which
Is large double one, so that the banquet
hall was more than hundred feet square,
with an upper and lower row of windows
on three sides and a dome in the centre.
The ceiling and sides of the apartment
were covered with soft white cloth, that
on the ceiling radiating from the central
dome in futed folds The windows were
without glass, making it deliciously cool
the upper ones being framed with aspar-
agues plumosa and the lower draped with
lace curtains. In the spaces between the
lower windows were hung large gilt wicker
baskets filled with American beauty roses
and ferns. Between the upper and lower
row there was a beautiful frieze, made by
enormous bows of broad double faced pink
satin ribbon, roses and feathery ferns.
Running the whole length of the room was
a gallery for the musicians, under which
was set the supper table, furnished with
every delicaey and decorated with masses
of orchids To harmonic with this the
decorations on the front and pillars sup
porting it were in orchid pink ribbon and
flowers Hanging in the central dome
was an enormous ball of electric light,
shaded by roses. Tiny jets of electricity
shone from among the flowers everywhere.
The floor was covered with crimson vel
vet carpet, and, with the beautiful gowns
and jewels of the guests, the whole thing
was like veritable fairy land, or, as one
| lady expressed it. like scene from Ara
bian Nights
One could imagine nothing loveIer, even
with Aladdin lamp at his disposal. The
whole house was filed with flowers from
top to bottom The hostess, assisted by
/ Rear Admiral Melville, e. 5. n, Presi-
dent of the Society, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Warren, received the guests in the first
drawing room. In the second they were
welcomed by ex- Representative Huff, of
/ Greensburg, Pa, and Mrs Huff and Mrs.
John Dalzell The hostess wore a superb
toilet Of white lace, combined with tur-
/ quoise blue velvet, with diamonds. In
addition to the orchestra in the banquet
hall. one was stationed at the head of the
grand staircase. The guests passed from
the drawing rooms into the library, and
from there into the bauqet hall, leaving
that apartment by way of the dinning room
Of the house, in which was set table for
the receiving party Here all the decor
ations were in orchids The tablecloth
was of white embroidered net over orchid
| pink silk. At each end and in the centre
were great clusters Of orchids in silver re-
ceptacles. The chandelier was wreathed
with asparagus and orchids, caught up
with bread satin ribbon of the same hue.
Each guest was presented with a dainty
programme containing the selections of
music played By both orchestras and the
menu Everything was most admirably
arranged and perfectly carried out. Guests
arriving By carriage passed in at one door,
/ while pedestrians entered by another, pas
sing into the many dressing rooms as they
were directed, thus preventing any crush
or confusion or delay in removing and re-
gaining wraps, and the same order was
preserved everywhere The hostess may
congratulate herself upon having arranged
and carried out the most perfect entertain
ment Of It's kind ever given here or else
[ where. In addition TO the members OF
the Society there were present Secretary Of
/ State and Mrs. Hay, Admiral and Mrs,
/ Schley, General and Mrs and Miss Miles,
the japanese Minister, the Costa Rican
| Minister and Nine Calvo, the Danish
/ Minister, General aud Mrs. Greely, Pro
fessor and Mrs, Raymond, Rev, DIR. and
/ Mrs. Radcliffe, Colonel and Mrs. Andrews,
/ Mr.. and Miss Sartoris, Mrs Ffoulke, Post
master General and Mrs Emory Smith
! and hundreds of Others in official and resi-
I dent circles.