Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-06-28
[From the token for 1861
MARTHA wASHINGTO
sY MRS sIooURNEY.

The state of society in Virginia. centu-
| ry since, was unique and imposing. The
.Ancient Dominion retained stronger fea-
lures of resemblance to the Father Land
than any of its sisters The manners of the
nobility of England had been transpanted,
with little radical change, to the territory
of Pawhattan A kind of feudal magnifi-
cence, a high and quick sense of honor, a
generous and lordly hospitality, early char
acterized State, which has given to this
| Western Empire SO many of its mightiest
and noblest names.
| Traces Of these lineaments still exist in
that sunny cline Yet our severance from
our parent country, while it marred her
likeness among all the colonies, obscured
it, though somewhat less palpably, in The
countenance of the eldest born One of
the most immediate changes, was the
breaking of that courtly and almost solemn
etiquette which had marked the inter-
course of the higher classes. Il know
your age by the edition of your manners,
said lady of discernment, to gentleman
distinguished for politeness. Il am certain
that you were educated before the Revolu-
ton But the repubIcanism which may
have swept with too full tide over our ma
tonal manners, had, at the period of which
we speak, no existence in Virginia. The
levees of her royal governors, though strip
ped Of monarchial pomp, displayed a rem
nant of those stately steppings of chivalry'
with which the titled and valiant, Of a
still earlier age, were accustomed in Euro
pean courts, to pay homage to beauty and
rank
1t was early in the winter Of l748, that
the levees of Gov. Gooch opened with un-
wonted splendor, at Williamsburg. Many
of the members of the Assembly took thith-
er with them a part of their families, and
this session was graced with the presence
of several young and high-bo,n maidens,
who had never before been presented
at conrt. One among them was evil
IDENTIFY the theme of general admiration
Some Of the stateier matrons criti-
cised her, as deficient in height But
though somewhat beneath the middle stat
ure, she possessed that rounded and ex-
quisite symmetry, which the early historians
have ascrlbed to the fascinating Ann Boz
leyn. A pure complexion and clear eye
were finely contrasted with dark, glossy,
al redundant hair. Still twas found diff
ficult, by common observers to analyze her
beauty; for it rested not on any predomin-
ate gift, but on the consent of the whole
and melody of voice, were confessed to be
among its elements. More of animation
was here than is wont to distinguish the
modern southern beauty. The slight rose
leaf tinge upon her cheek and lip usually
heightened when she spoke, or if the sub
ject embodied feeling, deepened to flush
of carmine, disappearing as rapidly as it
came. But that which chiefly won old and
young, was bland cheerfulness, the silent
history of the souls happiness, and an ex-
pressive smile, inspiring every beholder
with confidence, like beam from the tenn
pie of Truth Though she had scarcely
numbered twice eight summers, there was
about her womanly dignity, which chas-
pect.
Among those who paid their devoirs to
this lovely young creature, was Col. Cur
It's one of the most accomplished caviliers
of his time. His tall and elegant form,
though adapted to athletic exercise, to the
control Of the spirited character, or the
show Of military evolutions, appeared to
fine advantage in the minuet, which was
executed among the higher circles in the
Ancient Dominion, with all their precision
and grace, which once embellished it at
the court of Louis XIV. Yet it was OBJ
served that this favorte dance when shared
with the lady whom he most admired, was
far less priced by the enthusiastic young
man, than the conversations which follow
ed, when with eyes intensely fixed as if to
read the soul, he regarded each fragment
of word, or the slightest effusion of coun-
tenance, as precious thing.
His father the Hon. John Curtis, Of
Arlington, held the office of Kings Coun-
sellor, and was man of wealth and dis
tinction. His attendance at Williams
burg, during the present session, had been
somewhat interrupted by ill health; and
while there, the graver duties ofthe states
man, had SO far absorbed him as to leave
him ignorant what reigning beauties had
produced sensation at court. Not long af-
Der the suspension of the levees, and the
return of the burgesses to their homes, the
Counsellor requested conversation, in his
private cabinet, with his son, Col Daniel
Curtis. There were a singular mixture of
gravity and condescension in his manner,
las he desired him to be seated, and thus
| . no.