Despite his dignity and responsibility, young Secretary Hayes could and did unbend when not on duty. He has been charged with learning to ride a bicycle in the East Room. Upon another occasion, when one of the young lady guests had a caller who stayed over long, he betook himself to the room above the Red Room, where the young people were chatting, and frightened them nearly to death by dropping the largest dictionary he could find on the floor just above their heads. Needless to add, the caller soon departed, and the young secretary was able to see the mansion closed for the night and get some much-needed rest. Among the interesting festivities at the mansion was the celebration of the silver wedding of President and Mrs. Hayes, December 31, 1877, which was the first party of that kind ever held there. The halls and state apartments of the entire first floor were decorated with cut flowers, vines, and plants. Smilax was entwined about the great chandeliers of the East Room, which, by the way, had been put in during the previous administration at a cost of $1,800 each. They were made in Germany, and each of them contains 5,060 pieces of cut glass. Flags were also used wherever the touch of the national colours was desired. The Cabinet and their families were the only official persons invited. Close friends in Washington and old friends from Ohio identified with the life of these two people, and a delegation of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which President Hayes had commanded, comprised the group of guests. Promptly at nine o’clock, the Marine Band played Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, and the President, with his wife on his arm, came down the stairway, followed by members of their family and special guests. The little procession moved into the East Room, in front of the central window on the east side. Mrs. Hayes wore her wedding gown and slippers, and she admitted having been obliged to let out the seams. The gown was of white brocade, with the wide straight skirt in style at the time, trimmed with tulle and white silk fringe. Long white gloves met the short sleeves, and white slippers and the silver comb for her hair completed the bridal costume. Mrs. Mitchell, the daughter of the President’s sister, stood beside Mrs. Hayes, as she had done when a little lass of eight at the original wedding. Reverend Dr. L. D. McCabe, the pastor of many years’ association and spiritual guidance, again gave the blessing. And this occasion, with the gathering of the lifetime friends, was made more remarkable by the christening of Fanny and Scott Russell Hayes and the six-weeks-old baby daughter of Mrs. Herron, the mother of Mrs. Taft, who had attended the original wedding. Her baby was named Lucy Hayes Herron.