Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-12
RECEPTION TO DIPLOMA rEs.

The diplomatic reception, the most
important social function of the season
in Washington. was held at the White
House Tuesday night, and it is proba-
BILE that q more brilliant gathering was
never seen within the walls of the his
toric old mansion. The President ana
Mrs. Mckinley received, assisted by
the ladies of the Cabinet, and in the
long line of beautiful women and dis
tinguished msn which passed before
them were the representatives OF for
eign courts, in the splendid costumes
of their countries; American soldiers
whose heroism has, during the past
half dozen months, added to the lustrt
of the nations name; statesmen, writ
and men and women in many walks OF
life, whose greciousDess and intelloc,
have won them recognition every
where.
The event was memorable and the
environment made it all the more so.
The executive mansion is never seen 10
y better advantage than at night, whsn
the brilliant whiteness of the exterior
is brought out so clearly by the lights
which surround it. and Tuesday night
III that the art of the floral decorator
could contribute added 10 It's beauty
The gres. East Room, beautiful on eli
occasions, was a dream OF interior
ioveliUess.
The ceiling was studded with electric
lights, cleaning through opalescenl
oulbs, and festooned with smilax that
swung in graceful loops from the
prisms ofthe crystal chandeliers. The
mautels were banked with bride roses,
white hyacinths and pink carnations,
surrounded by row of vividly scra!et
poinsetta blossoms and contrasting
row of snowy az alias. Before The mir
rors, vsiled with smilax, were suspend
ed immense plaques OF PINK and white
carnations, aud vines and palms hung
over the portraits and were banked
along the walls and in the corners,
clear to the ceiling.
The other rooms and corridors were
as lavishly decorated, most OF the
palms and vines having been left from
the dinner of the previous night, while
masses of cut flowers, which made the
air heavy with their perfume, had teen
added The stairs and halls were bank
cd with magnificent palms.
Nearly all of the main corridor was
taken up with stalls for the accommo-
l1stion of the wraps and coats of the
guests. Ample preparation had been
made in the rooms beyond, however,
for the reception of those who arrived
early. The whole lower floor was
thrown open and the early arrivals ell
joyed the pleasure of an inspection OF
the various apartments and the con-
servatories without experiencing the
discomforts of the crush which ensued
later.
The arrangements which had been
made By Secretary Porter and Captain
Dubois were admirable and the pumer
Gus small discomiorls of previous White
House receptions were TO q great ez
tent done away with. The gates were
thrown open at $50 o'clock, and from
then on until after 10 the carriages
continued to roll under the big portico
and the guests poured into the mansion
in steady stream.
There are few events, perhaps, which
offer a scene of more varied and pic
turesque attractiveness. In all parts
of the building open during the recep-
tion there was much that was beautiful
to be observed, but especially in the
main corridor was the scene vividly
interesting Handsome women i'll
evening gowns, glistening with jewels;
diplomates with their court decora
tions; officers of the army in blue and
gold and everywhere the stately black
and white of the evening dress CT the
men, presented an ever changing series
of contrasts.