Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-02
Beautiful Decorations.

x
An hour before the time for the formal
reception to begin the mansion was agiow
with myriads Of electric lights. To the
brilliance of the great crystal chande-
liers, and the splendor Of the new fur
nlshings, was added the beauty Of the
floral decorations which although few as
compared with those of previous New
Years receptions at the White House.
were arranged with consummate art and
effectiveness. Towering palms OF rare
varieties were placed In inches about the
vestibu1e. main corridor and staircases.
Two great square masses Of American
and English holly were arranged between
the vestibule and the main corridor, az
fording brilliant and effective back
ground for the handsome scarlet uni
forms Of the Marine Band, sixty pieces
strong, which occupied tiers OF seats IN
the vestibule.
In the red, blue and green rooms, and
in the splendid east room, were disposed
a few vases containing cut flowers. prln-
cipaIly large. white lilies and lilies OF
the valley. Here and there were po,n-5
setta blossoms, showing splashes OF
flaming red.
It was a merry day for the Roosevelt
children. Prior to the reception they had
a jolly time In the lower part OF the
house. They manifested the liveiiest IN
terest In ali the arrangements
Opening of Ceremonies.
Shortly before II o'clock, the hour at
which the reception began. the diplomatic
corps began to assemble in the red room
The members Of the corps entered the
mansion from the south side, as usual.
in order to avoid the crush of the throns
already gathered about the main en-
trance on the north side.
Promptly at Il o'clock the trumpeter oI ol
the Marine Band sounded a fanfare, an
nouncinr the approach OF the President
Mrs Roosevelt and those Of the trnne-
diate reception party MIR. Roosevelt,
with Mrs. Roosevelt on his arm, descend
ed the ma in staircase, and passing across
the main corridor and through the Green
Room. entered the Blue Room, where the
guests were received. Following them
came the members Of the cabinet and
their accompanying ladies. The receiving
party was arranged in the arc of a circle
In the bow window Of the Blue Room.
Facing them were the ladies' invited to
assist at the reception. Between the two
sections of the receiving party lane
was formed by cordons of old-gold velvet.
Through this lane the callers passed from
the Red Room, proceeding through the
Green Room into the East Room, and
thence down the staircase into the east
terrace, and passing into the street oppo-
site the west entrance5of the treasury.
Receiving Party.
| The President was in excellent spirits,
and Mrs Roosevelt never seemed hap
pier or more gracious. The President was
attired In a frock suit and the only dash
Of color about his attire was tie Of
grayish tint
The following ladies were invited to
CT.
Mrs. Payne and Miss Wilson Mrs. Root
and Mrs. Hitchcock. being In mourning.
did not attend the reception.
Mrs. Roosevelt Wore a gown of ecru
lace over blue mousseline de sole; Miss
Roosevelt white silk gown with lace.
Mrs Hay wore white Fleur de velour
| trimmed with duchess lace. Mrs. Shaw's
yellow silk. Mrs. Payne wore a dress of
| black lace over pale blue, with amethyst
ornaments. Miss Wilson, pink satin
trimmed with lace, and with shirrs OF
nousseline on the waist win touches OF
black.
The receiving party having assembled
In the Blue Room. t he President and
! Mrs. Roosevelt cordially greeted each one
OF the party and those behind the line.
of his abinet was marked by particular
cordiality
Officers n.FuII. Dress.
This ceremony over the reception
proper began. The In PRODUCTIONS were
made by Colonel Theodore Bingham. the
president, mil itarys AIDE assisted by Ma
/ tors Charles nc cCaWley, Captain John
Proctor IS. and Lteutenant Frank Me-
|SCoy. Tho ofilce were Ia full-dress uni-
form. The members Of the diplomatic
corps swereSrecety first ss dean Of the