The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-02
President Holds His First
Public Reception.
THOUSANDS IN LINE
From II O'clock Until 2.30 the Func-
tion Lasted.
MANSION A SCENE OF BEAUTY
Interior AgIow WITH Myriad OF Electric
Lights and BeautIfi:d by Profusiou
of Flowers, Plants aud Vines.
President aud Mrs. Roose-
welt Mad. Charm-
Ing Hosts.
MANSION A SCENE OF BEAUTY
{By Associated Prsss.)

{By Associated Prsss.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Jan 1-Presi-
dent Roosevelt's first public receptions
was attended more largely than any
New Years reception in number OF
years. In all, S,1dO personI fled through
the White House and shook hands with
the President. Mr.. Roosevelt. on being
apprised that the crowd In line outside
the White House was unusually large,
gave orders that the gates should nos
be closed until the last person desiring
to do so had an opportunity to pay his
respects.
The reception began promptly at IL
o clock and 1t was 2:30 O'Clock before the
last person in line had tsen presented to
the President. and a. quarter or an hour
later before the reception came to an end
The weather was delightful. being clear
and crisp, so that no hardship was SUI
fered by the throng that waited for hours
before admission to the White House.
The reception was In every way success
full, the attendance not only being large.
but the decorations really beautiful, the
arrangements perfect and the President
in excellent spirits. To each person ne
extended a cordial happy new year and
Mrs. Roosevelt was equally pleasing to
each of those who fled past the line in
the blue parlcr. where THE receiving
party stood Miss Alice Roosevelt was
conspicuous among those assisting at the
reception A party of her young girl
friends by invitation also participated in
the function.
! MYRIAD OF LIGHTS.
The interior of the mansion was aglow
with a myriad of electric lights, and to
this was added the beauty of profession
of flowers, plants. and vines. banked
about the mantels and draped from chan
deliers and walls The floral decorations
reached their height of effectiveness In
the east room. Here the great crystal
chandeliers were looped with smilax-
while the recesses of the chamber were
banked with poinsetta blossoms hegonias
and tall ferns. In the red and t1ue par
lors there was the same effective dis
position of flowers and plants. the flaming
red of the poinsetta being most apparent
everywhere.
In the outer corridor just within trs
entrance. the pand OF the Engineer corps,
L. S. A, sixty strong, in their brilliant
Uniforms. were arranged in .iaSs. white
further along in the conservatory was
the full membership of the Marine Band,
in bright red uniforms. While the musi-
clans were taking their places, the Roose-
welt children were having a merry time
through the corridors, and one of them
could be heard playing the Kangaroo
March in the private apartments Of tho
Presidential family
COSMOPOLITAN TARONG.
Shortly before II O'Clock the tfnrongs
OF distinguished callers began to assem-
BILE In the main corridors. First came
the members of the diplomatic corps in
their rich court uniforms, respiendent III
medals and decorations. 1t was most
cosmopolitan throng. with the Oriental
silks of the Chinese minister and his suite.
the red fez of the Turkish minister and
the more modern but equally gorgeous
attire Of the japanese and Coreans. con-
spicuous amid the groups of diplomatists.
The members of the corps gathered In
the Red Parlor. preparatory TO being pre-
sented to the President 1nd those about
i,iul-
Exactly at II o'clock d. fanfare from
three trumpeters stationed at the fur
ther end of the main corridor announced
the approach OF the President apd the re-
ceivinS party. Ar the sarce nlcSrsut Pres
ident and Mrs. Roosevelt app I'D at tha
| upper landing of the corri0 o,lnd arm
in-arri descended the stairy .tkawEile the
Marine Band broke into III to the
Chief" The President boTpyesIs be passed
along. frequently giving e.a chry response
X
hin. from those. in the lin e.
MRS. ROOSEVELT.Sli SHOWN.
Mrs Roosevelt held in her hard a
superb bouquet OF pink orchids. She wore
a gown OF white satin, heavily picateG,
with lace yoke and diamond ornaments,
and in her hair sparkled 4 diamond tiara.
The President was in the conventional
black frock coat. He had no boutonn;crs.
and the gray striped neck scarf was the
o-I, hi of ir T-ic orr E'niJnyyis1r 80
the President and his wife came the men,
bers of the Cabinet and their wives.
The Presidential party took up their
station in the Blue parIor. with the Pres
ident and Mrs. Roosevelt in,nedia teIy
alongside the entrance, ready to grasp
the hands OF callers as they were s.,-
nounced. AS soon as the President took
his position. he turned to the many ladies'
behind the line and gave each OF then.
in turn warm greeting and the well
wishes of the day. Then the signal was
given for admitting the distinguished Of
fetal callers who by this time flied the
outer corridors TO overaowins.
DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
AS dean of the diplomatic corps TIE
British Ambassador, Lord Pauncefote. IS
usually the first OF the foreign callers 70
was absent from the line. having convey
ed his private, greetings to the President
and the head of the line was taken by
Lady Panncefote and the Misses Paunce-
fote. and the many military naval and
civil members OF the British establish
rent. all of the officials II full uniform,
The French Ambassador. II. Canbnu,
with all the members OF the embassy ssar,
s was next In line Following him carnes
the German Ambassador. DR.. Won Hole
/ Len. accompanied by a retinue OF dash
ing young officers OF the German arr1v.