The Washington herald., 1909-01-08

The most beautiful Official function Q.
the year in the White House. the annual
diplomatic reception. vas held by the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt last even
ing. The arrangements were much the
same as for the New Years day rsoep-
ton. and were most comfortable, both
inside and outside the mansion.
The Vice President and Mrs. Fair
banks were in line Immediately follow
ing the President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
and then were the Secretary Of War ard Z.
Mrs. Wright owing 70 the mourning OF
Mrs. Root and the indiSposition OF Mrs,
Ccrtelyou, and the Secretaries OF State
and Treasury not going into the line:
the Attorney General and Mrs Bona
parte, the Postmaster General and Mrs.
Meyer. the Secretary OF the Navy and
Mrs. NewberTy, the Secretary OF the In
terror and Mrs. Garfield. the Secretary OF
Agriculture, and the Secretary OF Com
merce and Labor, the men OF the little
procession taking their stand behind
their wives. on the south side OF The
Blue Room.
The invited guests to the Blue Room
we're facing the receiving lire, and
formed an unusually beautiful picture OK
handsome women and distinguished men.
The members Of the diplomatic corps
were all spIendidly clothed IN their most
impressive court costumes. which con
trsSted strangely with the plain and sim
pie array OF our own most Distinguished
men
In Dark Blue Gown.
Mrs. Roosevelt wore q gown OF dark
blue with brOcaded flowers OF Old rose,
trimmed with point duehesse lace.
Mrs Fairbanks wore superb white satin
vyith point lace. the skirt heavily en-
broidered. white osprey pIuuaes IN her
hair and a diamond sunbuTst and pendant
on q black velvet dog collar.
Mrs Wright was IN gown Of salmon
pink brocaded satin; Mrs Bonspsrte
wore white figured crepe de chine with
diamond necklace and pins OF historic
interest and value as well as Intrinsic,
and she carried an empire scarf Of white
silk embroidered in gold and silver
which once belonged TO the beautiful
Martha Patterson, OF Baltimore. wife Of
Jerome Bonaparte. King Of WestphaIia-
Mrs. Meyer wore violet crepe de chine
draped princess gown; Mrs. Newberry
wore sn exquisite gown OF pale blue satin
with opal embroidery and was one OF
the most beautiful women in the White
House: Mrs Garfield was IN coral pink
satin with valuable lace on the corsaEe.
and Mrs. Straus wore 4 striking gown
of white satin embroidered in white and
gold. with a dog collar Of pearls and
diamonds.
Mrs. Bonaparte's guests. whom she
took 10 the reception, were Mr. and Mrs
Hall Harris and Mr.. and Miss Reynolds
all Of Baltimore. Mrs. Harris wore white
satin and Miss Reynolds was IN pale blus
satin
They were all In the Blue Room during
the evening and remained for the suppes
following in the state dining-roOm viii
the President and Mrs Roosevelt
House Guests
Mr.. and Mrs. Franklin D Roosevelt
Mr.. and Mrs. c. H. Sheriff., and Mrs
Wolcott are house guests Of the PTesideu-
and Mrs. Roosevelt. The irst-named wa
in black velvet, Mrs. Sheriff. wore whit
satin. and Mrs Wolcott white satin
The array Of gowns has probably nsvt-
been surpassed st any White House r
ception. the prevailing styles Of the de
lending grace 10 many otherwise pla
figures. and bejeweled embroideries seer
ing at times a bewildering mass
Mrs. IongwOrth arrived early and
especially beautiful in an Empress JOS
phine gown Of pale violet chiffon clo
over paler violet mesSaline. with grac
full draperies Of the chiffon cloth from
shoulder and caught upon the bodice,
ished with bands Of dull gold enbro
cry. a wide girdle holding the draper
at the waist Her hair was dressed /
and rather broad at the back Of her hes
and she wore a dog collar OF pearls
a single string OF large pearls below
corsage pins held the lace ab
the decoIlete bodice, both back and frC
MISS Ethel Roosevelt. the debUta
Of tie President was also dc
early, and wore a girlish costume
white point d esprit trimmed with narf
duillings and hands of white satin,
round neck and short sleeves. with !
white gloves reaching almost to
shoulders.
Mrs Cowles. sister Of the Presi
and wife Of Rear Admiral COEles.
In trailing gown OF blue satin
some superb lace Mrs. Loeb wore q
gown Of pale yellow satin with ye
tulle and heavy white embroidery
princess lace
Center of Group.
Former Secretary Of the Treasury and
Mrs. Leslie NJ Shaw were the center OF
a little group Of old friends wherever
they moved, IN the Blue Room or cor
ridor later Mrs Shaw vas superbly
gowned in point applique lace, draped
gracefully over an undergown Of cloth
Of silver, with point duchess lace about
the edge OF the decOHete bodice and
some splendid diamonds in her ears and on
her corsage. Mrs. Shaw was warmly
greeted everywhere
Baroness des Plsnches. wife OF the Ital-
ian Ambassador, dean Of the diplomatic
corps. and therefore the first 70 pass
through the Hae and greet the President
an5 his rartv wore a stately rphs ~