Evening Capital And Maryland Gazette

Brilliant Social Event At Government House, First Of Regime Of Governor Ritchie, Attended By Great Number Of Society Folk

GOVERNOR'S MOTHER HOSTESS OF EVENING

Probably the largest gathering ever assembled at the government house at any social function given hitherto was that last evening, invited by the Governor of Maryland to meet the members of the General Assembly. All evening, from 8.30 to 11, the rooms were crowded, and at times floor space was at a premium. It is said the crowd outnumbered by far that of any previous reception, and attests the popularity of Maryland's new executive, Governor Albert C. Ritchie.

Before the hour announced on the cards of invitation, guests began to arrive, inclement weather being no hindrance. A canopied entrance on Bladen street, for which handsomely gowned women were truly grateful, offered a protection from the elements, and the guests stepped under cover from the time they left their car or taxi.

A long line was formed from above the grand stairway to the reception room for the first two hours of the reception, waiting to greet the host and hostess and receiving party.

Guests were announced by Mr. Burton Woolley, of the clerical department of the Governor's office, and were first introduced to the Governor, then to his mother and others in the receiving line composed of Mrs. Henry Landon Cabell, of Richmond, Va., a sister-in-law of Mrs. Ritchie; Mrs. E. Brooke Lee, wife of the State Comptroller, Mrs. David Gregg McIntosh, Jr. and Mrs. Frank Mish, of Hagerstown, Miss McCarty, the newly appointed State Librarian.

Mrs. Ritchie, the Governor's mother, was handsomely gowned in black satin, and wore pearls and diamonds. Mrs. Cabell wore a stunning gown of black velvet and jet, with string of pearls; Mrs. E. Brooke Lee was handsome in a gown of cloth of gold, with a touch of jet; Mrs. McIntosh wore an exquisite creation of black lace and charmeuse, with jet and pearls, and Mrs. Mish was elegantly gowned in black crepe meteor, while Miss McCarty was becomingly gowned in black charmeuse and lace.

Rooms on the lower floor were decorated with ferns, palms and cut flowers in profusion, snap dragon and branches of cherry blossoms being artistically arranged in large vases, and lending a touch of springtime.

Large silk flags of nation and state found conspicuous places in the foyer, and gave an air of patriotism to the scene.

Service in the State dining room was the best that scores of waiters could make it, but the crowd there during the entire evening was jostled and elbowed good naturedly. The table centrepiece was the customary long mirror extending three-quarters its length, ornamented at ends and sides with the Maryland coat-of-arms in gold. Beautiful pink and yellow snap dragons filled a tall silver vase and graced the centre of the reflector.

Fruit punch was served in a cozy nook in the hall under the stairway, and there were many around this refreshing spot all evening.

Music was furnished throughout the evening by a portion of the Naval Academy orchestra under the directorship of Lieut. Torovsky, bandmaster. A selected program was enjoyed, especially by the members of the General Assembly and their wives and daughters. The crowd made it impossible to dance during the hours of the reception, which included among the guests a large number of the Naval Academy contingent as well as those socially prominent in Annapolis.