Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-04
WHITE HOUSE BALL.


most interesting, of the social affairs
that the capital has seen In years vas
the "comiug. bali given last night
by the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
for their daughter, Miss Alice Roose
welt, when brilliant assemblage OF
leading diplomatists and official and
resident members of society joined the
dancers in the historic East Room
which was once the scene of tie "com-
irg-ou," party of another Presldeuts
dsughter, Miss Nellie Grant.
The rareet and most beautiful
flowers from the propsgating gardens
OF the Agricultural department we're
used, and towering palms, with bank
OF maideUhsir ferns and Fsrleyeuse
ferDs 81 the base, were plscsd in the
recess OF each window. Yards OF
smilsx festoonsd the electric SUBS and
garlauded the crystal chandeliers.
Each of the classic pillars was wound
with smilsx and holly berries. Large
plSques OF smilsx, frightened with the
red berries, were over each doorway,
from which were hung festoons OF
smilax that extended to the mirrors,
partly yelling them.
The ropes OF smilex that decorated
the mirrors were held In plsoe by cor
nueopias made OF smilax, end carDa.
ions 10 red and white aud vote nsrcis-
sus and byacinths. Under this paoo
oily OF bloom the man els we're bauked
with palms, ferns aud cTotOns on one
side of the room, while on the other
we're pArteries OF pink and white roses
and white hyaclnths. TIE long mirrors
At the euds OF the room were banked
With screw pines and msidehair ferns,
pink and white potted szalIas in one
inetsncs and red and white 10 another.
Huadreds of American Beauty rvses
wars ussd in vases 10 the Blue PArlor,
where the reception took place, with
Wreaths Of smilaX aud banked mantels
where roses and wealth Of blossoms
of all colors made the scene fuirylike.
Today all these flowers will be sent to
the hospitals OF Washington TO gladden.
the eyes OF the less fortunate.
Some idea Il the qua ~ OF howels
aDd plants used may be gathered from
he fact that there we're tbree-quarteTs
OF mile of stIiDged smiax, 600 roses,
400 carnations, 500 feet OF strioged ss.
psTagus vines, 400 spikes Of narcissus,
600 hysciDths, 80 pots OF szilias, 1900
terms and II pains. These were aside
from the crotons, dracinss, screw pines
and maidenbsir and other varieties OF
ferns.
The Marine Band played its choicest
aud most iuspiriOg numbers Of dance
muslc-iwo-steps, waltzss and other
selections. There were 20 dances on
the programme, which bore the insorip-
tion January 3, 1902, White House,"
aud will iu future be treasured souVe-
mir to those who we're fortunate enough
to take part in this event.
Like hosteeses in private life, Mrs.
Roosevelt presented her daughter, the
President being merely one of the in
tesested spectators, mingling with the
guests and giving each o cordial hand
shake.
Mrs. Roosevelt stood near the en-.
trance of the Blue Room and wore q
beautiful costume OF white silk, with
Aouuces Of lace looped with msuve
orchids.
Mics Alice Roosevelt wore a pretty
gown OF white chiffon embroidered in
white roses. Miss Helen Roosevelt,
her cousin, from New York, was
gowned 10 white chiffon over satin,
while Miss Helen Cutting, of New
York, was becomiogly gowned 10 white
lace trimmed in dsiDty pink rosebuGs.
Besides these relstivss, who are
guests at the White House, company
OF relatives and close friends OF Miss
Roosevelt we're 10 the Blue Roon early
10 the evsoing with the debutsDte aRd
her mother. These were Miss Chris.
tine Roosevelt, daughter OF MTs. Emlen
Roosevelt; Mr.. and Mrs. Douglas Rob-
inson, MIR. James Roosevelt and dsugh-
ter, Mrs. n. L. Roosevelt, Miss Rhett
sud Mrs. RoOsevslt.Soovel and Mics
Roosevelt -Scovel, Miss Margaret Dix,
daughter Of Rev. DR.. DIX, OF New
York; NJ So Janet Fish, daughter Of Mr..
Hamilton Fish, and Miss Jean Reid,
daughter Of Mr.. Whitelaw Reid, oi
New York, and Mr.. John Dix, who are
guests OF Senator and Mrs. Kesn.
Hundreds Of exquisite bouquets were
sent during the day. Miss Roosevelt
carried white roses, and each OF the
quests hsd flowers given tbem-the
ladies' corssge bouquet and the gen.
tlemen boutonier.
A buffet supper was served 10 the
/ state dining room. Here the deoora-
sions were most brilliant, the mauteis
being banked In red roses and ferns,
with . touch of other COLOR. skillfully
arranged in the massing OF flowers. A
cen re Of white ard red roses banked
the table irou which the collation. wsl
served, the guests going to AID from
the dining room Shen it suited theii
pleasure. About 700 Invitations wer,
issued.