The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-03-22
Pc S L S C. r | p Il
washington
ICorresnnnt ence Of the Herald.l

more things which cannot be uDderstoou
all they read, and not many Of them
even theni
II was intended that the Levees should close al
the accustomed time but, probably, the nearly 81
mutaneous arrival of the two great literary hons,
Washington Irving and Boz, at our na'iohai iheha-
gerie, may have caused a new arrangement
With regard 10 Mr. Dickens, OF course, no one
could appreciate his merits more than the President
and his family; and, Tuesday, the 10Th, happening
10 offer the only evening not pre-occupied at the
White House il was thought expedient to give the
numerous strangers in town another treat, and as
part of it, the opportunity OF seeing Irving and
Dickens, and OF seeing too that the President is in
capable of being behind the people in due honors
TO genius, although he may render them in a shape
somewha, more considerate and fitting.
When it was understood that there would be
levee, and that Irving and Dickens would both be
there, the rush was tremendous. 1t was as much
as the police officers could do TO keep the passages
open. There was no seeing anything but what was
directly at ones elbow and, even that would be
swept away, sometimes, Of sudden, by the sway
ing OF the mighty throng, moving in one mass, tor
some purpose which could understand, but
every one was forced 10 obey. Even the circle
usually left open around the Chief Magistrate was
narrowed to almost nothing by the pressure. II was
computed that the east room alone contained up
wards of three thousand persons.
There was one point of interest, of which, per
haps scarcely any but the parties concerned could
be conscious but which those from whom nothing
cscapes-our noble selves, Tor Instance, did not pass
unobserved. allude to the thoughts and feelings
which must have possessed Washington Irving
and the lady who presided on this occasion with
surprising courtcou;ne ness and grace-Mrs Robert
Tyler. Irving, now grown "more fat than bard be-
seems" is yet still distinguished by that glow OF
genius, and humor in his eye, and smile and utter
ance, which made him the adored of the New York
world of fashion when he immortalized, in his Sal
magundi, the nareis and the numberess destinations
of &c a little sylph' who danced so bewderngly at
the City Assemblies of her native place. Strange
romances of the change ofyears Look back to the
date | speak of. There stands Washington Irving
He was then young attorney; but then, as ever,
among fashionable coteries, though, at that juno
ture, only occasionally adventuring in literature.
Who is the laughing little belle to whom he pays
such homage? How the richest and the proudest
seem to envy him Times glass turns The sylph of
the Assemblies-the laughing belle-the desired by
all-dares choose by qualities, and not by station.
She gives herselfaway from wealth and gradeur to
player. Times glass again turns. Washington
Irving is at the Executive mansion, not as
Washington Irving but as the Ambassador to Spain.
Who is that lady receiving such homage from the
new Ambassador She is players daushter-but
she is Presidents daughter-and she Is welcoming
from her elevation, in her mothers friend of bygone
years. the Ambassador newly created by her father.
ask-ought there not TO be almost as much in
terest for an American in these associations, in
the presence of Boz!
Yet nothing could surpass the curiosity to see the
great author from England. "Where is he How
does he look 2" Such were the questions on every
side. A few had seen him-and. not few were
seeking TO see him, aud seeking in vain. "Why
don't they set him on tray, and carry him
over their heads" cried some. Others, be-
ing told he was short man, and was in
In dense thrOng, grouped at distance, jumped up
and down, hoping, while up, to catch glimpse,
but all to no purpose. Boz retired after an hours
exhibition, bequs athing all the unused literary en-
thusiasm to be poured on Washington Irving but
as even he Withdrew earlier than was expected, a
considerable stock yet remained, which was emp
tied, by sudden afterhought, upon Mr.. Secretary
Webster.
In the midst Of all these doings, nothing could
have been IN better taste THAI the deporime of the
Preside sons.
Their pretty cousin, Miss Wss****s, was among
the rest OF the beauti es, charming and being
charmed.
81 have got it! have got it. have got itv'
cried little man, running through the crowd, -
g. Oh! where is he ! where is he -
Il think he has got it," chuckled bysander.
&c What have you got, Mr.. Pet,rich ~
have got what have been hunting after this
i nav hut I
not got it, and want to get it very much. Where
is hel"
"whom r'
% General Ward. On, she will be the very thing ,
had stopped short for figure to one Of my eroupcs
for the pedestalto the Washington statue, and, after
all, have got it,and want to get it-she W ak.
inc with General Ward have made Mrs Semple,
the Presidents daughter, one goddess-and have
made Miss Stevenson one other goddess-and now |
have seen the other goddess that want, with Gen
eral Ward, and cannot find either her or the Gene
raj Ward in the crowd"
81 saw Mr.. Profit promenading with a lady,
whom had seen previously on the arm of General
Ward"
"N doubt the same," observed one. "Proffi'
never makes an unprofit able selection among the
ladies. He has quick eye for beauty"
a. But he cannot out-gener raj Ward in these mat
ters," was the reply.
"Iknow very well-all that is very uue-But
what will that do for my pedestal 7"
" Every thing, my dear Pet,rich, "-cried good
natured friend" for, though Profit or Ward, will
undertake TO find cut the lady for YOU
Aud such was the result,-th lady ,cas discovered
and l EN- overjoyed to have it in my power to an
nounce that the stately loyeliness Of Mrs Bs**ss*
OF New York, will be immortalized by the genius Of
Pettrich, in well merited association with the
honers of our republics mighty founder
One of the sweetest fruits Of this evenings search
among the eharmers was plump little Berry Of Viz
gnia.
The great name of Webster was beautifully repre-
scented and the sense and accomplishments Of