Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-11-10
From Washington.
From our correspondent Molere, No. Kill
W.sHiNGToS. Nov. 6. 1897

called upon lady of fashion the other day 10
pay my respects. She is somewhat advanced in the
vale OF life, and has family Of blooming daughters,
whom she wishes to introduce into the beau monde,
and who are well educated and accomplished
"Ah, Mr." she began, as soon as l entered, 81
am glad to see you'll wish to intr oduce you 10 an
old acquaintance Of mine who has last come to the
city TO reside, and if you will accompany me- il will
afford me great pleasure TO make you acquainted
with Mrs. Madison"
Mrs. Madison" said l. nothing would afford
me 50 much pleasure. | very Gesirous to see
lady ofhe old school, and of the reign Of pure vir-
glnia democracy. will certainly do myself the ho-
nor Of escortlng you TO her residence"
We accordingly entered the carriage, and short
drive brought to the dwelling Of the widow Of
James Madison. She received with great cour-
esy and poleness, and inquired very afiectionaiey
after the family of my friend whom she had not seen
for twenty years. Mrs. - had known her when
Mrs. nj. was the wife Of the President and when,
though past the zenith of her beauty, she was still
handsome, and attracted general admiration.
Time makes sad inroads on the human face d.
vine" She no longer what she had been, but
was nevertheless dgniied, and retained the Inca
ments of former beauty. / took her to be between
sixty and seventy years Of age, but did not manifest
many of the infi-mites Of age. The same smile
played upon her features and the same look of
benevolence and good nature beamed in her counte-
nance. She had lost, was told the stately and Nj
nerya like motion which once distinguished her in
the house of the President where she seemed to be
in her element, and TO move with the grace and
dignity of queen but her reception was gracious
and her manner quiet and kind. Numbers called
while were there, aud she received all alike, with
the same attention and friendly greeting Some
young ladies called, whom she had left infants or
little children and she manifested some surprise when
they were named to her.
elbow wonderful is the change" said she TO Mrs
-, q new generation seems TO start up around
me. | appear to be in the midst of my pos,erity
Almost all those with whom l associated, or whom
knew twenty wears ago, gone to their account
see them no longer where was wont 10 meet them !;
new race has arsen-a new generation has sprung
up and though in the place. and the same loca-
lties are before me, feel as if were stranger.
What difference twenty years make in the face Of
society | would have thought it. Here are
young men and women who were not born when |
was here last, whose names are familiar to me,
but whose faces are unknown. I seem to have sud-
denly awoke after dream of twenty years, and
find myself surrounded by strangers. A few of the
old settlers still remain il is true but even they
are no longer the same, but like myself greatly
changed.
But few of the old stock remain" observed my
friend sand they are indeed changed. The revolu-
tons of party, and the progress of time, and the in
roads Of disease have wrought surprising alteration
among those you once knew. The reign Of terror
scattered many Of them, and many OF those that fell
prescription left, have sunk into the tomb. All !
madam" she continued, "ihe city is no longer what
was when you were the mistress of the Presidents
house. Your Successors have been sickly tame spi-
ritless and Indifferent. The mansion you made so
charming and attractive has long lost It's interest
and, indeed, is now ostinaccessible Thepresent
incumbent has no female relation 10 preside, and
to be so much absorbed in party politics, and
his efforts to succeed the next election that he will
scarcely open the house TO those who wish see it.
The very tone Of society has been affected by these
changes. At one time, such was the bitterness Of
party feeling, that no visits inierchanged be.
tween those belonging to the administration and
those in the opposition, and the hue Of society be-
came tngcd with vugarity. Almost all the Oldest
citizens are now shut out from public offices, and row.
dies, brawlers, broken merchants, disbanded officers
and idle young men have been put in their places
The society, however, is beginning 10 improve and the
fashionable of all parties mngle more harmonously
together. Bat foreigners now, in your day. are all
the CO. poor attache, gambling minister a beg.
carly German Baron, or a nominal French Count, is
preferred TO the most substantial and accomplished
citizen, among the young women al this court. They
form part OF the sorfcs that gwen in this city,
and the young women are fattered and delighted to
be noticed by creature whose face is perhaps the
caricaturc of monkey, and charmed with the atcn.
tons Of a mass Of lnspdity and ueliness, at whom,
were he an American, their very george would
rise "
Mrs M. smiled at this picture and spoke Of her old
friends, and the former condition and appearance Of
the city with much feeling. Two of the oldest dress
ed and most singular looking females have ever
seen, now entered, and seemed to assume a great
deal Of authority, connected in some way with our
amiable and interesting hostess and we took our
leave.
"What do you think of Mrs. Madison asked
Mrs. -.
"She has been a magnificent woman" said I,
"and still retains portion of her former grandeur
and elegance. She seems noble minded and kind,
and from her ahable manners, must have been very
popular in the sphere in which she moved"
"No one could be more So Every one who knew
loved reapecfed and admired her min otcd