The evening times., 1900-01-11
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

state reception. given by Mr.. and Mrs.
Mckinley in honor Of the Diplomatic Corps.
This annual courtesy, apart from its Off
cial significance of international good
will. is always the most scenically inter
esting incident in the calendar CT Admin
istratiOn functions, the gorgeous dress and
decorations OF other nations contrasting
picturesquely with the conventional garb
Of cur own.
The President and Mrs Mckinley were
assisted in receiving the dignitaries of the
Diplomatic Corps and the Army and Navy
Of the United States by the ladies of the
Cabinet, there being an unusually promi-
nent assemblaSe of maids and matrons Of
this cOterie banked, like flowers, behind
the line"
The White House is never seen to better
advantage than at night, when the cold
whteness of the exterior is brought out in
cameo-like silhouette by the radiance of
the blue and yellow glow of electric lights.
Official aides were in constant evidence,
and carried ont the details Of the reception
in their perfection of arrangement. Aside
from the White House guards. there were
details of police al every entrance to the
grounds and Mansion, while the latter was
guarded as il the safety Of a State we're at
stake. At the main entrance was located
a policeman with a huge megaphone, while
in the grounds before min he had a mate.
These two bswled in stentorian tones the
numbers OF the hundreds of carriages ls
they were required. and the Jehus ear that
WIS deaf TO that thunderOus summons was
not in evidence last night
Fer perhaps the only time in a twelve
month, the White House Grounds were
empty of strollers, bat in their stead there
were banked scores OF carriages. deposit
ing their freight Of dignity and beauty.
or taking il up again when it had paid
its homage to America through her Chief
Magistrate. Quite 2,00C people thus paid
their respects to the President personally.
Midnight only saw the perceptible lessen
ing of the throng which came in greeting
Men and women softly jostled each other
IN the r0se-scented fragrance OF the great
East Room. and the corridors were packed
or want of room elsewhere.
The main vestibule, as usual, had been
transfoi med into a cloak room. leaving
merely an aisle through which the guests
passed on their way TO the rooms beyond.
The great east parior was thrown open.
and those who arrived early enjoyed the
pleasure OF an inspection OF its splendid
decorations without experiencing the
usual on such occasions. the room was a
jungle of palms. The ceiling. studded with
electric lights cleaning through opalescent
bulbs, was festooned with smilaX, thar
swung in graceful loops from the prisons
of the crystal chandeliers. Banked about
the base of the futed columns were exotic
foliage plants. and the recesses over the
doors were filled in with leaves and grasses
in rich and varied hues. The mantels were
,f h. l. },
and the mirorr rests We're ablaze with fam
ing red poinsetta against a background OF
fern leaves.
In the beautiful Blue Parlor roses Of
every hue boomed in bowls and vases.
and smlaX tendrils were twined about the
chandeliers. Shortly after the gates were
opened small groups of men and women
distinguished in official and social life be-
gan TO stroll about the room, the assem-
blage growing larger, until the great doors
leading from the East Room into the cor
ridor were thrown open and trumpet sa-
lutte proclaimed that the President and his
party were about 10 descend the stairs
Then the Marine Band burst into a melo-
dious crash, and 10 the strain of Hail TO
the Chief the receiving group. came down
the crimson -carpeted steps. led by Colonel
Bingham and Major McCawley. each wear
ing the full uniform OF his rank Having
Mrs. Mckinley seated herself. as is her
custom. the President standing to her left
and the ladies of the Cabinet to her right,
with Mrs. Hay occupying the post of honor.
filed by Mrs. Hobart last year. All the
ladies Of the receiving party were in white
Mrs Mckinley's gown was of heavy bro
cade. trimmed eiaborately with pearl and
silver passementerie. She wore her dia-
mond necklace and a white osprey tip in
her hair.
Mrs. Hays gown was of satin. having
down the front panel of spangled net
embroidered on each side in a pattern of
leaves edged with gold. At the shoulder
Was a large bow Of turquoise velvet which
matched the plumes in her coiffure.
Mrs Gage was attired in white moire
enriched with silver spangles and softened
with rare laces. Artificial blossoms OF
cerise color Ornamented her corsage and
furnished an artistic touch of color amid
the soft waves of her hair.
Mrs. Root Was in a white lace gown.
trimmed elaborately with light-blue satin,
and in her hair she wore knot OF blue
velvet
Mrs. smiths gown, of figured satin, was
panaled with lace. She had no color about
her save the rainbow shades flashed by
a magnificent sunburst of diamonds. which
was fastened in the laces of her corsage.
Mrs. Hitchcock was gowned in heavy
white satin with garnitures Of lace about
the SKIRT and bodice and touch of Law
ender
Both Miss Long. daughter of the Secre- |
tary of the Navy. and Miss Wilson daugh- |
ter of the Secretary of Agriculture. were
absCot from the line.
Miss Fannie Cox. of Denver Col. and |
Mr.. Charles Fl. Dood. of Boston. Mass.
we're married last night at the residence of |
he brides uncle, Justice Brewer. The |
ceremony was performed by Rev Thomas /
/. Cooke. ID. ID. Miss Elizabeth Brewer
ttended the bride. Mr.. and Mrs. Dood
eft later in the evening for a wedding
our after which they will go to Boston
o reside.