She was assisted by Mrs. Evarts in elegant black velvet, Mrs. Sherman in old gold satin with court train of black velvet, red roses arranged about the corsage. Among the diplomatic guests, especially notable was Madame Yoshida, wife of the Japanese Minister, since she had discarded her native dress for American garments. One of the President’s early appointments was that of Marshal of the District of Columbia. Frederick Douglass, a well-indorsed applicant, was chosen. Frederick Douglass, a Negro, an American journalist and orator, had once been a slave. He was born in southern Maryland and ran away from his master about 1838. He made his way North and established himself at New Bedford, Mass. Possessed of much natural ability, he began to lecture on slavery, later publishing a full account of his own experiences. He visited England, lecturing extensively. When the war opened, he advocated the use of coloured troops and aided in organizing regiments of them. After the war, he became editor of the _National Era_ at Washington. His wife was a white woman. As it was not possible for Frederick Douglass to fulfil the duties of his office in the White House as his predecessors had done, the President’s second son, Webb Hayes, served as confidential secretary. In this capacity, the young man presented all callers to his father, while Colonel T. L. Casey, of the Corps of Engineers, made the introductions to Mrs. Hayes. Among the notable functions, the first was the state dinner in honour of His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovitch, of Russia, on April 19, 1877, at 7 o’clock, the only function at which wine was served. This had been arranged by Secretary Evarts.