The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-05
Refreshments Are Served in the
State Dining RoOm-New Ar
rangements Prove Success.
President Tafts first annual re-

President Taft's first annual re-
ception to the diplomatic corps, the
first evening function given by
the President and Mrs. Taft, was
like a return to the Presidential
levees Of other days, when the COM
pany was smaller and refreshments
were served in the state dining
room, in the same fashion as pri-
vate entertainments. Not since the
days OF President Polks admins
tration have refreshments been Of
fered at White House receptions,
except at some Of the few private
parties. One of the objects Mrs.
TAFT had in mind in curtailing the
guest lists was that she might show
more hospitality to those asked. The
arrangement was a splendid sue
cess.
The smallness OF the company
showed the simple stateliness of the
White House, and gave an oppOr-
tunity to see the beauty of the
women, the gowns, and the Jewels.
ASSEMBLE IN BLUE ROOM.
At o'clock the President and Mrs. Taft,
followed by the Vice President and Mrs,
Sherman and members OF the Cabinet
and their wives, except the Secretary OF
state and Mrs. Knox, and the Secretary
Of War, and Miss Flora Wilson. came
down stairs and took their places in the
Blue Room. 1t was in the placing Of the
receiving party that the first chenge was
noted. for instead Of the President stand
ing just within the door from the Blue
Room into the Red Room, with the others
iu line beside him. he stood just within
tire door which leads. to the Green Room.
and faced the south windows of the room.
The guests PASSED from the East Room,
where they Congregated. through the
Green Room, Blue Room, and the Red
Parlor, into the corridor or the state din
ing-room, as they preferred. The mem
bers OF the Diplomatic Corps were received
first, with their families, the other guests
forming into line with no idea OF prece-
dence or rank. Almost the last TO 90
through and greet the President and the
women Of the Cabinet circle was Senator
and Mrs Euhu Root. Mrs. Taft remained
in line but thirty minutes, and then re-
tired. 1t was an exclusive and dist!n-
guIshed company the diplomatic, official.
and judicial society represented, with
few Of the distinguished resident civilians.
Mass of Flashing Beauty.
The gowns and jewels We're a bewilder-
ing mass of flashing beauty, and there
was never a time when there was more
wealth represented in precious stones
than last night at the White House For
the first time in many years women
were anxious 10 wear the very best, raj
ment they had or could obtain.
Mrs. Taft wore pink satin and point
place and carried orchids; Mrs Sher-
man. soft gray chiffon velvet with en-
broidery OF gray and cut steel, and lilies
OF the valley; Mrs MacVeagh. white
lace over pale blue. with diamonds and
pearls: Mrs. Dickinson. black lace and
net over white satin. with handsome
Corsage ornaments OF diamonds, and
pearls in her ears.
Mrs WickeTsham, heavy white satin
in brocaded silver, with silver and pearl
trimmings; Mrs. Meyer, gray crepe de
chine over gray satin, with bodice and
sleeves of gray bugles, with diamond
corsage ornaments, a diamond comb in
her hair. and pearls and diamonds about
her necki Mrs. Ballinger, white lace over
pale pink satin, the lace outlined with
crystals. and a trimming of bugles finish
cd the bodice. and Mrs. NageI, white
mOire bengaline and some handsome lace.
Dfning-rOOm Crowded.
Every one had passed through the Blue
Room and shaken the hands OF the Presl-
dent and the hostesses Of the Cabinet
circles by 1880 o'clock. By that time the
East Room was almost deserted. and the
state dinins-room and the corridor near
by were the most crowded points.
When the last guest had gone by, the
President offered his arm to the wife
of the Vice President, and they pron-
enaded through the Green Room into the
East Room. took little turn there. bow
ing to and greeting many acquaintances.
and then turned back into the Green
and Blue rooms. stopping here and there
for a friendly chat with guests on their
way 10 the state dining-room. They
stopped In the Blue Room, close to the
door that leads into the state dining
room, where chairs were brought them
and where they paTtook Of salad rolls.
ice water and ices In comfortable fash
ion, being waited on by Col Cosby and
the aids.
They were Joined soon after thew sat
down by Mrs. Nicholas Longworth who
had her supper with them. The Cabi-
net officers and their families were scat
tered about in cozy fashion through the
three parlors, while ambassadors. assist
tant secretaries, foreign ministers. and
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