Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-11
THE SOCIAL WORLD
Brilliant Scene at the Home of the
President.
GORGEOUS COSTUMES and JEWELS
Notable Gathering of Foreigners
and Residents.
P E r s o N AL n o Z Z S

The diplomatic reception last night at
the White House a brilliant spectacle
from any point of view, and recalled sew
eral of the most delightful events there in
the past decade. There were said to have
been 1900 invitations issued, and the
chances are that every one was represented.
At times the east room was slightly uncom-
Portable because of the heat and crowd,
but relief was found in the corridor and in
the conservatory. where many couples
promenaded. The reception began a few
minutes after the tall clock in the hall
indicated 8, and the last of the long pro-
cession passed by the receiving line before
1890 Shortly after that hour President
and Mrs. Mckinley, followed by the receiv-
ing party, went upstairs and the great
function, one of the most imposing our
democratic simplicity offers, was at an end.
The decorations were very elaborate, ana
called forth many admiring remarks. rms
was particularly true of the east room
where plants and vivid blossoms were beau
tifully arranged in variety of new ways.
Across the mirrors of the blue parlor there
were flags formed of garlandS of smlaX
twinkling with red, white and blue lights.
The conservatory was great bouquet
of color near the doors of the west hall.
The Marine Band played in the conserva-
tory, just outside the state dining room.
and the Artillery Band was stationed in
the east hail. The bands alternated gener-
ally but played together sometimes, and
the effect of the music at these points was
exceedingly pleasant.
President and Mrs. Mckinley had receiv-
ing with them Mrs. Hobart and the cabinet
ladies. Col Bingham made the introduce
tons.
bodice and skirt trimmed with jet. A neck
lace of huge solitaireS and other diamond
ornaments gave the last becoming touch.
Mrs. Hobart wore superb costume of
white satin, brocaded in violets, the waist
trimmed with violet velvet and lace. Mrs.
Hay wore black lace, spangled in jet, over
white, with turquoise velvet on the bodice.
Mrs. Gage wore white satin, brocaded in
roses. Mrs Alger wore nile green, the bod
ice and front of the skirt almost entirely of
white lace. Mrs. Griggs costume combined
white MORE and green velvet; Mrs. Smith,
yellow satin, with point lace; Miss Long
wore tan and scarlet satin, and Miss Will
son was in white satin and chiffon.
The representation of the diplomatic
corps was very complete. The dean of the
corps, Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British
amba Ssador was accompanied by Lady
Pauncefote and their daughters and all the
secretaries and attaches of embassy. Lady
Pauncefote wore black satin and
number of beautiful gems. The Russian
ambassador was accompanied by his niece,
Miss Cassini who wore white satin and
pearls The military and court costumes
mass OF color That worn by the German
ambassador, Herr Won Holleben, was es-
pecially striking, being of bright crimson
CLOTH most deliberately embroidered. His
decorations and orders nearly covered the
front of the jacket, which was worn over
the left shoulder. The Chilean minister
was accompanied by his wife, who was ele-
gantly gowned in white satin. The Argen-
tine minister and Mrs. Garcia Merou, the
latter in black velvet, the Brazilian Minis
ter and Mrs. Brasil, the latter wearing
white satin and many jewels, the Costa
Rican Minister and Mrs. Calvo, the latter
wearing white satin yelled in lace, the Co
lomban Charge d'AffaireS and Mrs. Rem
gifo, the latter in sea green velvet and
lace. with trimmings of pink camelias, the
Haytian minister. Mrs. Leger in blue
spangled gauZe, Miss Bourke in blue chif-
fon, ard the Venezuelan Minister and Miss
Andrade. were some of the best known of
the foreigners present.
The stay of the ambassadors and minis
tiers in the blue room was made doubly
agl eeable by the presence there of another
receiving party.
The following is a list of those invited
to perform this agreeable duty, most of
whom were present:
Secretary and Mrs ]. Addison Porter,
Mr.. and Mrs. David ]. Hill, Mr.. A. A.
Adee, Mrs Stanley Matthews, Mrs. Justice
Miller Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Nelson A Miles,
Miss Miles, Col. and Mrs. T. A. Bingham,
AGjt. Gen. H. c. Corbin, Solicitor General
and Mrs. j. K. Richards, Senator Hanna,
Brig. Gen. and Mrs. J. NJ Wilson, Miss
Waller, Capt. Charles l.. McCawley, Capt.
J. c. Gilmore, jr., Maj. and Mrs. Henry o.
S. Hestand, Rear Admiral and Mrs. John
A. Howell, Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, Lieut..
Col. Marion 2. Maus, Lieut.. Col Francis
Michler Brig. Gen. and Mrs. j. c. Gilmore,
Miss Gilmore, Mr.. and Mrs. John Sherman,
Mr.. George S. Boutwell,, Mr.. A. H. Garland,
Mr. John A. KasSCn Mr.. John Bigelow, Miss
Bigelow, ex-Secretary Hilary A. Herbert,
Mrs. Sartoris the Misses Sartoris, Mr.. and
Mrs. John w. Foster, Mrs. H. L. Johnston,
Miss Kennedy, Mrs. W. G. Moore, Miss
Moore, Mr.. and Mrs J. Stanley Brown,
Senator and Mrs. Redfield Proctor, Senator
and Mrs. s. B. Elkins, Mrs. Sheridan, Mr..
John G.. Nicolay, Mrs. Beale, the Misses
Warder, the Misses Evans, the Miss IS
Gary, Gen. Rochester and Miss Rochester,
Admiral and Mrs. Schley and ex-Paymas-
| ter LOCKER and Miss LOCKER
Admiral and Mrs. Schley held an ovation
| at each point of their progress from the
| blue room TO the east room. Gen. Wood,
fresh from his Cuban successes, was an
other hero of the evening Gen Wheeler
was a conspicuous figure in the blue par
| lor and elsewhere all evening, and Lord
Herschel, in court dress-black velvet knee
! breeches and silk stockings-and wearing
several fine decorations. was another mas
culine form whose personality attracted
enviable comment
| the first time. Mrs. John Addison Porter,
| white silk and lace: Mrs. Woleott, scarlet
| velvet; Mrs. Cushman *. Davis, violet vel
| vet trimmed with rare old lace; Mrs West
| inghouse, white satin and point lace; Mrs
| Nathaniel Wilson, velvet: Mrs