Washington

It feil to Washington to establish precedsnts for the social procedure of hia successors as president, which he did, in ths main wisely, simply, and weli. He resolved, and so announced, that the president ought not to be expected to make or return social calis. Instead, he established the custom of a public reception. This waa given every Tuesday afternoon. Washington wore on these occasions "his hair powdered, gathered behind in a silk bag. His coat and breeches were of plain black velvet. He wore a white or pearl-colored vest and yellow gloves, and had a cocked nat in his hand. He had silvsr knee and shoe buckles, and a long sword with a finely wrought and glitering steel hilt. Washington never shook hands wlth is guests, as is the rule nowadays. ut bowed to them with dignity. Digity was, indeed, the rule of the day. The senate sat always behind closed doors. Both senators and representatives were richly dressed and wore powdered hair, and every reception was as plcturesq.ue as the very best modern "bal poudre" ever seen. Mrs. Washington's receptions were held on Friday evenings, and at these the president appeared without nat or sword, and comported himself slmply as one of hls wife's guests witfi less formality of manner than at the official reception. The Friday receptions were held in the evening, but did not last untü a late hour. If guests remained past the hour Mrs. Washington would emind them that "the general retires at 9, and I usually precede him." The Friday evening gv.ests were seated and "tea and coffee were handed round with plain and plumb cake." At tho public dinners, given weekly, here was no ostentation of rich fare. One Buch meal is deseribed as "boiled eg of mutton, with a few vegetables After a simple dessert one glass of wine was offered each guest."