The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-17
Warrington.
Correspondence OF the Heraldl
WASHINGTON. Feb. II, 1872
The Party MT Mrs. KennedY,S


Correspondence OF the Heraldl
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1912
The Party at Mrs. Kennedy's.
The fertility Of resources, possessed by the good
stationary society Of Washington, from certain pc
riedical and almost every day intercourse, with
the distinguished, enlightened bon ton Of our own
and foreign countries, renders it necessarily deli
cate and hazardous for one who may be en- paseant,
to venture opinion concerning the merits, charac-
ter and hospitality Of the frequent entertainments
that are offered. To make undue preferences
exceptions, is equally irksome to a mind pretend
ing to proper and honorable sensibility and though
fastidious nicely, occasionally attempting to de-
nounce general publication. Yet all the while
feeling pang when its own paeans are sung, may,
under the garb Of only an assumed starched pro-
priety, begin to scowl down such crude and undi-
gested observasions these. We feel 40 terror
in meeting the controversy, in point of rectitude,
nor blush at the matter contained in the subject -
Custom and habit has deemed and Judged all this
requisite, and when the arguments Of rouged and
ehalked prudes can demonstrate contrary, pro.
wing its correctness from their own acknowledged
experience of five and twenty revolutions, then and
then only will our ignorance and infrmity be cor
fessed.
The peculiarly and organization of life Gas it is
csoed) in our metropolis, like that of London, Pa
rs, Brussels, and through the Continent, very ma.
terally incines the distant mass to expect the his
tory of fashionable events, through the press, and
though full developments, from the very nature Of
things, now and then, must and will disconcert
some, we apprehend that in majority of instances,
they are both available md advantageous. The
press prepares, nay often forms the public mind,
and though much too often, an important conse.
quence is arrogated by and yielded to its dicta-
ton, ethics and reasoning wanting, to decry its
universal benefit. The fact that evil sometimes re.
suits from great principle or measure, would bat
feeby sustain one contending against its other adj
vantageous consequences Promulgate such theo.
~ this, and Legislation will be bowed to the
block Of phrenzed denunciatlon, the wheels of 60
vernment locked, and society tortured with shocks
of steel"
Such discursive dissertation is no doubt rnal
apropos to our object; but the same opportunity,
which grants to a gaddng. long-earea, and OPEN
mouthed, little. prying, mischief making and harm
meaning CLIQUE found in all communities The
means for seesaw, black tea scandal, gives us the
privilege md scope to place these stersotyped ed
tions ornality the shelf best adapted TO their
ancient and worn out sobriety Solemn satns, catch
are, or ought to be, in these days, displaced by
lively unussin-, love. matrimony. sparkling eyes,
and an honest shake OF the hand. Away with your
olden humbug of fine ceremony-can't 20 to Al
macks till ten-dancins is really tiresome-never
waltz in pubic-how horribly these foreign cooks
do dress chicken salad-am quite fAtigued, must be
laid up for wsek-what horrid things balls are,"
&c. This pretence to style ought not to be patroni.
zed by our bright, vigorous, clean ancled Yankee
girls-abroad it may answer. "We'll have none
fit" So, excuse Tor boiling being granted, rere-
mons a nos menfoas.
The construction of transcient society, or more
properly that existing during the sittngs of Con-
gress, is not generally or thoroughly understood
much beyond the environs of the capital. Being
examined, there is abundant material to recon-.
mend it, for convenience and comfort. Members
from the various sections OF the Union, intendinr
to domesticate with their families for session, in
advance arrange what is technically called mess."
protesting the same politics, having an identity
of interest, and whose associations by education,
climate, &c. have become assmilated in feeling
and aspiration Very frequently friends, not M
CPS, arc admitted into these ceteries; thus for
time, afordng all the appearance and ease of home
life. But few Congressionals have the means or
disposition to form permanent establishments,
aud the ncertainty Of human Affairs, yerv often
and properly advises against such policy-there.
fore to rceiprocate the kind Inequalities of the
Stationary Society, these "Mess" Parties are re-
sorted to as necessary expedient. So much for
the cause-Now fer the effect
The Mess ut Mrs. Kennedy's is composed of old
and young ongressionals and not Congressionals
-Nominally the party" was given by the young
ladies, though all uniting in the entertainment,
were allowed the same proportion Of invitations.
The cards were issued for eight O'clock on Tues.
day evening, the LIST instant From the opening OF
the season By Mr.. Bodiscos grand affair." i" through
al! the brilliant soirees and re-unions, we have not
witnessed any thing at all comp airing with the style,
manner and heart exhibited. on this occasion. With
out the parade of illumination or tinsel liyery,
there was all the substantial elegance that ever
marks the reception given by an American gentle.
man and his family. No gaudy unnecessary pomp,
and yet the quiet order that gives tone to such
meetings.
The company commenced assembling at an early
po.r shn I'd In aoI
greeted with cordial welcome BY Mrs. Linn
(of Missouri) aud Mrs. General Gaines, who ma
tronise for the ceremsnial-the kind inquiry-the
happy, natural smile, the desire to please, by these
ladies', thaws the chill of formaity, and We feel
perfectly at home. Come my good fellows let US
lounge on the sofa and witness the "payins of res
poets" in the reception chamber
G. 1t is now near nine, and but few have arrived
",Have you been living in Lapland, or taking
twenty years nap with Mr.. Rip Van Winkle!-
Don't you know this 10 the regular levee evening
at the Captains, and that the bride, his daughter
"True-by the way, did hear something of such
.an.occurrsnce-i do feel drowsy, but yon bright
b.cyant 6sere just entering, is enough to wake
What 10 the graceful, brilliant Miss M. How
bswitchingly she leans on the arm Of Buchanan
and then that turn Of the head the arch expression
the lsok, They must be discussing Clays amend.
ment to the constitution."
suppose 70, or some other. The best she
could propose would be an amendment to that con-
frmed batche lorship Of that fine Pennsylvania.
Look, and see King of Alabama approach Bach
anan and his sylph. B. and X. are called the Sia-
msse twins. They eat together, drink together, |
vste together, visit together, say pretty things
ssther; believe they don't sleep together, bat
certainly will die single together, anomalous A.
the idea TO-"
Here comes Tom Allen, that was Of the Madi-
sonian, and Miss r. from Missouri. What think
you Of her and him 7"
She Is neat, tidy, plump, pretty little person,
like that tiara and necklace Of diamonds. Il 10
astonishing hsw beautiful, to poor man, these |
etceteras make woman appear"
"Oh, you selfish dog Where's your sentiment, |
psstry, soal Talk Of jewels and dollars, when wo- |
man il before you !"
"All very true. like the romance love in
cottage. Iron spoons and Affections, beef broth |
and matrimsny I; but the reality. II 10 . pretty |
subject to flourish words on, bat the Praeties-ths