The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-06

that early day the library upstairs af-
forded ample room for the callers; but
yesterday upwards of 5000 people packed
the old mansion almost to suffocation.
1t was the same pageant so many times
repeated-the same glitter of splendid
uniforms and court costumes and decora-
lions of honor, the clanking of swords
and flashing of jewels. the same stately
procession of brave men and beautiful
women-only the faces change from year
to year, as people fall out of the ranks
into the Land of Shadows. The rooms
were beautiful, as usual, with flowers and
: tropical verdure, and the Marine Band
never played better, even when Sousa was
at the head of it. Precisely at the regu-
lation hour, III a. M, the familiar strains
of Hail to the Chief" announced the
appearance Of the presidential party
which came sweeping down the grand
staircase, headed by Col. Bingham and
Maj. McCauley. The ladies, who had been
invited to stand behind the line" were
already in place-quite enough to crowd
the Blue parlor, leaving barely room
enough for the waiting throng to file
TWO by two, through the golden gate at
one end into the East room on the other.
IN the distinguished company were the
WIDOWS of two Presidents-Mrs u s.
Grant and Mrs. Garfield, and a score of
others, young and old, who have resided
In the White House, besides all the daugn-
tiers of the cabinet families, and others
high in official society.
The receiving-line was not as long as IL
mas sometimes been. nor perhaps as gor-
Reously attired. Mrs. Mckinley sat. as
always. in her big blue armchair at the
Presidents right, and had a pleasant
smile for every conner. She was beauti-
fully dressed in her faYorite color, pale
olue The delicately-tinted satin simmer
ed through an oVer-dress of chantilly
lace, and the corsage was banded with
crystal-wrought passementerie, studded
with turquoises large as robins-eggs. Her
famous diamond necklace flashed thou
sand lights amid the laces at her throat.
other diamonds sparkled upon her cor
sage and in her hair, and in her lap lay a
huge bouquet of white roses. Last year
1t was matter of regretful comment
that Mrs. Hobart. wife of the late wee
President, should be missed from the place
she so graciously filed at Mrs. McKin-
ley's side; and this year Fate willed it
that Mrs. Hay, wife of the Secretary of
State, who succeeded to Mrs. Hobart's
place, should be also absent, owing to the
grim Reaper SO Mrs. Gage, wife of the
Secretary of the Treasury. filled the post
of honor. next TO that of the First La
dy." Mrs. Gage, whose toilets are always
superb, and who has the figure to show
them off to best advantage, was regal in
black velvet. trimmed with creamy Van
Dyke lace. Her girdle and crush collar.
of pale blue panne velvet. were encrusted
with silver, and a black and silver butter
fiy aigrette was worn effectively in her
high-Diled hair.
Mrs. Root was attired In dainty dress
OF grey crepe de chine, with bodice eff
fccts in white lace and gold. Mrs. Smith.
wife OF the postmaster general, wore
gown Of orchid-pink silk, with fall of
white lace at the corsage contrasted with
narrow black velvet.
Mrs Hitchcock as usual, suggested
beautiful court dame on a French fan,
in her gown Of art" pink satin, relieved
with rich white lace and pink chiffon.
her white hair dressed very high and her
ornaments a few fine diamonds. Miss
Wilson wore a Paris gown of white satin,
trimmed with gilt sable.
The most unsophisticated onlooker could
NOT fail to recognize the typical English
man In the first foreign dgnitary to
shake hands with the President and then
pass smilingly down the line. in all the
bravery of court costume and official
ceremony. 1t was, of coruse, Lord
Pauncefote, dean Of the diplomatic corps,
respondent in a brand-new black uni
form, heavily wrought IN bullion and gold
lace and wearing a wide crimson sash
across his portly body. It must be con-
fessed that had Il not been official eti-
quette Of the first water, that red sash
would have locked little sort OF ridicu-
lous on dignihed elderly gentleman OF
his physique. He was accompanied by
his wife and daughters, and all the at
taches Of the British legation, with the
ladies' Of their families. Lady Paunce-