The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-04
MISS ROOSEV ELT
MAKES HER DEBUT
Formal Ball Given III Her Honor at
the White House.
FIVE HUNDRED GUESTS THERE
Never Before Were the Interior Decorations
Of the White House More Attractive.
Hiss Roosevelt Wore White
8 Chiffon.
ny Associated Prcss.)

WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-Miss Alice
Roosevelt. the oldest daughter OF Presi-
dent and Mrs Roosevelt. was formally
presented to Washington society to-nisht
at bali given In her honor at the
White House. About 500. guests in all
were present, many OF whom either HeTe
connections of the Roosevelt family OF
well known society people living OUTSIDE J
Of Washington. Miss Roosevelt is the
frst White House debutante since isis,
when Miss Nellie Grant, the daughter oL
President and Mrs. Grant, was presenteo
to society atsa ball, which was the gay
est social event Of the decade. Io-Idght 5
entertainment was given a PERSONA
rather than an official character by Mrs
Roosevelt. whose wish was that MISS
Roosevelt make her debut much as
though it had taken place in her own
private home rather than in the Nhlte
House. There was no cotlllon and con-
sequently no favors.
BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS.
When the bail was opened tonight
< the interior Of the White House was most
attractive. Never before have the floral
decorations been more beautiful. The
massive mirrors, chandeliers, columns,
and ceiling of the east room. where the
dancing occurred, were festooned ana
carlanded with smilax, naidenhair fern
and asparagus trimmed with bouquets
of carnations. More than mile Oh green
feetooning was Used in this way. Inc
window recesses were filed with palms
rising out of banks of rariegated foliage.
The mantels were banked with roses ana
szaleas Set in tropical crotons anu
crowned above with screw pines. Eng
. fish holly was used IN profusion in the
DECORATIONS. The red, green and blue
parlors also wero adHned on the same
lavish scale.
THE PRESENTATIONS.
When the guests arrived at the house
they were conducted to the blue parlor,
where the presentations were made, Mrs
Ro evelt introducing her daughter. he
latter presented a charming appearance
In e dress Of white chiffon with white
roses and wearing the jewels which her
father gave her at Christmas Mrs
Roosevelt wore pure white, with white
lace and trimmed with lilac orchids;
Miss Helen Roosevelt, cousin Of the
President. and who also was of the i'm
mediate party of the hostess. wore white
chiffon with white satin ribbon, and Miss
Cutting white lace trimmed with tuaie
with pink roses.
MISS Roosevelt was the recipient Oh
many floral pieces Of beautiful design
sent to her in honor Of her coming out
day. The President enjoyed the occasion
heartily and mingled freely among the
voting folks.
THE DANCING.
The dancing, which began shortly after
10 o'clock and Included programme of
twenty numbers, was held in the large
east room, the scene Of SO many brilliant
functions of the past, The golden car
pet on the floor Of that room was re-
moved yesterday, and a handsome fig
ured gray linen crash put down to form
Il dancing surface. The large number of
dances kept the company until after
midnight The Marine Band, under the
leadership of Lieutenant Santelmann and
the artillery corps band from Washington
barracks. alternated in furnishing the
music.
During an intermission a buffet lunch
was served in the state dining room.
The conservatory brilliantly lighted, was
open during the evening and was IA
vorste place of promenade between
dances.
The company who gathered to do honor
to the daughter Of the Chief Executive
wae a thoroughly representative one of
Washington society and also included
generous contingent of gentle men from
Harvard. Yale and Princeton Universities
and many other society folks from out Of