The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-31

cd that only a death in tho Presidents
own Immediate family should deprive
the people of their ono court day OF
all the year. Exactly five years later
the most radiant figure at Grants
New Year levee was Belknaps second
wife, which iil-starred lady was de-
scrfoed as wearing "one of Worths
wonderful suits. which attract atten-
ton and baffio description" Grants
leveos were also distinguished for a
lack OF liquid refreshments. which up
to this time had been freely dispensed
on such occasions. Even policemen and
attendants about the mansion had
previously been supplied with liquor
on New Year day, but In 1873 they were
astonished to receive only coffee with
their refreshments.
Full Drcss IN Day Time.
Full dress was worn by men at
these midday New Year functions until
President Arthur broke the custom by
presiding at his New Year reception
I'm conventional day clothes, supple
mented by pearl-oolored gloves and q
boutonnier. His levee OF January 1,
1888, was brought to sudden close
by the death of the Hawaiian minis
ter. Mr.. Alton, who dropped with hear;
failure in an anteroom where he had
gone to receive his hat and coat. Cen
eral Arthur. after viewing the body, re-
tired to the upper floor and ordered
the pand to ceaee playing.
"RcccivfuS Line' JeaIousies.
Jealousies over receiving line priv
iieges arose at Arthur's 1888 New Year
levce Upon forty ladies he conferred
the honor of receiving with him In the
blue room. and It was not long be-
, , fore they were at loEgerhcads over the
question as to who should stand next
TO him. In the place OF "the first lady
of the land" There being no Vice
/, President, 1t was ruled that Mrs. John
G. Carlisle. wife of the Speaker--then
| In line of succession to the presidency
should have the honor place
But the long receiving line Of ladies
was dispensed with by Cleveland, who,
| following the early death OF the Vice.
President, gave the honor place at his
! FIRST New Year levec TO Mrs. Bayard.
wife OF his Secretary Of State, which
! official. under. tho new law. was the
next in line OF succession to the presi-
/ dency.
The first public appearance of the
| Presidents bride was on the follow
! Ing New Year day. that OF 1887. when
thousands waited In line to see her and
clasp her hand. Two conspicuous ng-
ures at the Cleveland levee of 1855
were the venerable George Bancroft
then in his eighty ninth year. and Dr.
"A :
bert suit. while Mr.. Bancroft, after
the old-time custom, came In full
! dress.
| Friction over Line precedence" again
! broke out in Benjamin Harrlson's nd
| mintstration. New Year day, 1890
there was u dispute us to whether the
! wife OF the Secretary of the Navy OF
of the Attorney General should stand
! the nearer In line to tho Presidents
| wife. and the decision was made In
favor of the latter. because her hus-
bands department. antedated that oi
/ the navy.
She Shook 1000 Hands.
| The New Year levce was omitte cd
again in 1898, this time on account
of the recent death of Mrs. Harrison
. the Presidents wife, and at the next
were presented the first foreign am
bassadors ever accredited to the Unit.
| ed States. At her last public courl
day, January /. 1897, Mrs. Cleveland 4.
! said 10 have personally shaken hand.
! with 1000 people. task which extend
! ed over three hours and forty min.