The Washington herald., 1906-12-30

girl and a matron, too, for
that matter" said madame in
a reminiscent mood. Indeed, this good
old fashion only went out in the eighties.
Until that time New Years Day was the
very gayest day Of the year. Now don't
understand me to mean that just a few
fashionabIes kept open house The custom
was universal. great and little. poor and
rich: the whole city full of people looked
forward to receiving their friends on that
day. The houses were beautifully dec
GRATED, as for ball. and refreshments
were served. The table for them was net
the fragile little tea table Of the present,
with its bonbons, thin bread and butter.
and tea, but the regular dining-room table,
decorated with flowers, spread with the
handsomest napery. cut glass. and silver
the hostess could afford, and grooming
with good things to eat. Roast turkey
and ham, boned turkey and terrapin, sal
ads Of every description. cakes. little and
big, and punch and eggnog in generous
bowls. were some of the things offered,
and at the houses of the rich champagne
was often served.
Visiting began at o'clock and lasted
until midnight in some houses. though
smart people generally closed their doors
at dinner time. which was then at 6
o'clock-you see. we were primitive in
those days; an O'Clock dinner would
have been regarded as a most extraordi-
to balls and dances. OF course. you
know that only the men made visits. and
they. horror of horrors, wore evening
clothes, white ties and crush hats I say
horror of horrors but it was perfectly
correct form at that date, and you know
II is, and VIII probably always be good
form in Europe. I remember an ex-
tremely formal and elaborate dinner given
in my honor by a high official in Bremen.
which took place at o'clock in the after
noon, at which all the men appeared in
evening dress. I had never seen this
done before. and I remember how very
strange il seemed to me. but I have met
with this custom many. many times since.
Indeed, I have been to functions, state
functions, in Germany at o'clock in the
morning when all the men were in full
evening regalia
But to return to our mutton. Presi-
dent Madison inaugurated New Years
calling, and was the first President to re-
ceive on New Years Day. The first re-
ception ever held at the White House was
in 1910. and have often heard my grand
father dilate on its magnifcence as well
as that Of the following year. when
Washington Irving was one Of the guests.
Perhaps some of you remember his de-
scripti0ns Of Mrs. Madison. a fine, portly.
buXom dame. who has a smile and pleas
ant word for everybody But as to
Jenny Madison-ah, poor Jenny" he
went on, he is but a withered little
apple-John.' Later on Francis Jeffrey, of
the scarborough Review, said that Mr.
Madison looked like a schoOlmaster
dressed up for a funeral believe,
firmly believe, that both of these distin-
gUished men libeIed him, for had it from
my grandfather. who was a warm friend
and great admirer of Madison. that he
was one of the brightest. gayest, most
responsive men he ever met. with a talent
for telling dron stories. which were not
always fit for publication. so it is quite
impossible for me to imagine him "a little
apple-John' or a schoolmaster dressed up
for a funeral
I said that only men made visits on
New Years Day, but 1 must qualify that
remark for then, as now, the ladies in
society accompanied their husbands 10 the
White House wearing their very best
frocks. When foreigners ask me what is
the most characteristic official function
that takes place at the Capital I invaria-
bly, say a New Years reception at the
White House. which is truly the most
brilliant, as well as the most Characters
tic, of our public functions. Seriously,
have you ever witnessed a more dazzling
sight than the Diplomatic Corps and the
officers of the army and navy. all in
gorgeous uniforms, grouped with the most
beautiful and best-gOwned women in the
world. in the Blue Room? I never have
and have assisted at many state cere-
monies in Europe. Then. when all the
officials have been received and have
passed by the President. and the veterans
of our wars are introduced, did you ever
look on anything more pathetic, and don't
your eyes grow dim and your heart beat n
little faster when you see a poor, old
crippled warrior beaming up into the face
of the President, who beams back again
and wrings the old mans hand with a
coTdiality that makes you feel like ap-
plauding?
II there is one thing more than an
other that like about our President il is
his honest appreciation of what others
have done. This recognition, the sincere
applause for real accomplishment, no
matter by whom, is a trait of a great
character. Emperor William has it, and
1t is one of his most admirable charac-
teristics- The moment he hears of some
great deed of heroism, a new discovery,
the writing of a poem or book that is an
addition 10 literature. the cable bears his
message Of cOngratulatiOn to the hero.
the discOverer, or the literary man. How
he covers all the world. I cannot under
stand, but he does. and his sympathy, IN
Outstanding, and appreciation is universal.
THE first New Years reception I at
tended at the White House was in Gen.
Grants first administration, and I have
gone TO them regularly ever since when
ever I have been in town. Such strange
things as have seen there. such strange
people as 1 have met! Some day I shall
write a book on the subject for the edi-
fication of my grandchildren, only they
would never believe that some of the crazy
happenings that I witnessed actually
occurred. Now listen TO this tale. and
you, Mr.. Diplomat, who know the women
in the case. don't you dare laugh, for be-
meath her rotund and bedizened little
body there beats the truest heart in the
world.
"A poor little waif, whose only knOwl-
edge Of Christmas was gained from her
scrutiny of the shop windows, was con-
sumed. whenever that holiday approach