Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1902 — President’s Diplomatic Reception. [ARTICLE]

President’s Diplomatic Reception.

The diplomatic reception at the White House is the great after-dark social event of the year in Washington. The diplomats get out their most gorgeous uniforms. The women of the embassies and legations wear their richest clothes and their most costly jewels. The wives of high American officials or rich society people who make annual pilgrimages to Paris save their most elegant costumes to be crumpled and crushed at the diplomatic reception. There is always a crush. The fact that it is the society event of the year makes the demand. for invitations irresistible. Two thousand persons this year were invited to the White House, which can comfortably accommodate about one-fifth of that number. Everybody goes who is invited. On the day preceding the late diplomatic reception American beauty roses sold for S3O a dozen. After the reception more than four bushels of them were swept up by the White House cleaners in the outer halls and corridors, they having been torn from their wearers before half the distance to the receiving party had been passed.