Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-08
From the Correspondent Of the Portland Daily
.4dUerfiser.
nc ASllUNCTnN

Etiquette (as the logicans say may be divided
into two kinds. Court Etiquette and Social Ell
quette. Not belongingIto the Cour', lean speak
only from hesrsay. Court etiquette dictates that
the ladies Of Representatives in Congress shall
first call upon the ladies of the Secretaries, which
call creates a visiting acquaintance, and entities
them to an invitation to the parties. Court ell
quette also Dictates that the ladies Of the Secre-
tarles shall first call upon the ladies OF the Sena-
tors Thus there is subOrdinance OF rank, as
Senators take precedence Of Representatives IN
Congress. Foreign Ministers, Charges DIES Al
fairs and attaches first honor Senators with their
cards. Bat rice versa with the Representatives
Ofen. by the way, let me remark, person Leaves
a card for every person 10 the house upon whom
he designs to cal for the wife as we'll as for
the husband Hence Nix, eight, ten, or dozen
cards are often left a; one hOnse.-one Tor each
person. But if you are not so ABUNDANT IN paste
board, mark your card " for the men," Ii Tor
gentlemen. if tor ladies, bend down one side,
which translated mean, for g. the whole family"
believe have now introduced my visitor IN
to good society," which you see is not SO forn-
dable an undertaking in Washington, as in many
other places, and wha, i, more, IN this society
you always feel easy. so hospitality are you met,
and so attentive to ones little interests. Next,
for am very methOdicaI on such important sub
jects. will speak of parties.
A Party in Washington may be defined to be
mass of human beings in brcadcloth, musilns.
satin, or the like, damned, wedged, and squeez.
ed together. The rooms are in general small
(but there are exceptlons) when compared with
those at the North; but the company is immense.
Access to refreshments. in such crowd, is
almost Impossible, though well trained servant,
with infinite difficulty, will edge his way by the
sides aud the corners. The company are usu
ally invited some ten DAYS ahead to assemble 81 ch
night. commonly At eight O'Clock. The very
fashionable, OF course. are not punttnAI, Tor
PunctualIty is a very vulgar virtue. Some drop
in at nlnr, or half past ten, it they have been
to another party, and frequently there are two
parties, or more, the same evening.
A small baud of music is read, to pay fur the
danrers,-and usually the dance is "A double OF
treble colilIion, Of curious perpexly TO the near
sighted man. who NAV perChance lu1e his part
ner IN the crowd.-or the gallnpadc an awkward
affair at best, now quite secuted at,-or 'he
Spanish dance. yery pretty and agre"able,-n
the W lt7, admirable fur brothers and sisters, o.
for the chaste fingers Of ones dear fr,rnds, in
ones own circle, or not dl.asreeabe, If graceful
" whIred through in a strange land. where one
NIGH, perchance see rude hands, but not one.
best friend The carpets are taken up where
there are no halls. [ there are no chandeliers, can
dies are put up IN rows Or stars on all sides, often
much tn The detrtment Ot a coat nr d,C,S.
In such a Whirlpool of people, It is no, difficult
to see that it is no easy matter to take care OF
ones ha, or rapper, or for lad, to SECURE her
shawl or cloak A good hat or cloak seems to be
legal prize at 4 party to the first man that goes
oft. Hence all outer garments are left IN the
carriage in which you came. which, by the way,
is numbered and arranged in line. 50 as to be
ready at caiI,-and opera hats are worn. witch
one can put uuder his arm, or miserable hats or
caps to be trodden under f,ut any where. and
not worth stealing, or it good hats are worn, the
wearer takes it into the room with him, ard it
answers well for something to handle.
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