The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-20
Washington.
Correspondence of the Herald.1
WASHINGTON, Jan. Ia, 1913.
FIRST Assembly-its Beamy-its Bellies and its
Beans--its alpha and its Omega.

Inc FUa Assembiy-its Bedmy-tts Bellies and ITS
Beans-its alpha and its Omega.
DEAR BENNETT
Yolr clever pictures OF the political and fashion,
able society OF New York almost dishearten be.
gnner who would attempt to color such work as
thisgreat capital presents during its season of galety
hope, dissipation, and despair; for be it known,
that In common with all nature, despite the bril-
liancy and lusre which is put on, we suffer our
anxeties and fears, and not unfrequently step from
the tinseled hall of apparent pleasure to the more
real couch of deep and heavy chagrin. This is no
overdrawn design to one who has travelled from
the beginning to the end of Washington winter
We enter upon it all ardent and exhilerated. We
leave 1t much too Often broken and respondent
Society, with its fascination and vortex power,
draws together ccongenal spirits, which crcum-
stance and accident as quickly separate attach
ments are formed only to be scared, and we drink
deeply from the cup of pleasure, only in reality to
taste how bitter are the dregs of pain. These re-
Elections drive one into train OF thought not quite
congenlal with your plquant tone, and therefore
will forbear. The epcurean philosophy of dun ri-
uimus, virdnius, is probably the most consoling,
as 1t certainly is the most pal atable; therefore,
avaunt, ennui, and alye unseemly blue devils, and
let call up those cheerful recoections which
flower mans pilgrimage through the dreary track
of life.
Besides the numerous and attractive private en-
the session OF Congress, club of resident gentle
men, composed OF the elite, have arranged an an
nual set Of parties, under the title of the Washngton
Assemblies" to which all who have the enee to the
fashionable circles here or elsewhere are invited -
Tailor-made gentlemen and quondam fgurantes are
excluded. These assemblies are attended by the
most exalted, talented, and finished and to be alb
sent or not invited, is equal to being out of good
ciety. They are conducted in high degree of po-
lshed taste, and contribute as much TO the amuse-
ment and brllancy OF the season, the united ef-
forts OF fashion and fortune can bestow The OPEN
ing assembly took place on Thursday night last, and
In spendor and magnihcence exceed any thing of
a similar character ever had in Washington. About
y o'clock the company had we'll assembled the
band sends forth It's cheerful intoxicating airs, and
drawing the arm of friend, of we stroll on tour
of observation, to be Herald-ed to an hundred thou
sand of grave and gay humanity
"Well, this certainly is brilliant affair for Wash
lngton. lovely collection of women, spacious
and splendid Hall and altogether it would recon-
mend itself to distinction in any country"
"Ah,my dear fellows, you chaps who have travel
led ana iohed IN luxury, are woeiully mistaken
about this said Washington. The opinion has
spread, that we are entirely dependent upon adven-
tous aid and arrival for our beauty and attraction
However Its presence may enhance, its absence
cannot shade our own resources. Two thirds of
this large assembage are of the resident society of
the District. What say you to that"
Why,truly my information was otherwie. ha d
thought your population hid its head in the shell all
SUMNER, and only Poked il out in winter, except in
"We have been falsified most sadly Our station
airy society will bear favorable comparison with
any IN America for merit and talent and for beauty.
Let your own judgment give the verdict"
by heavens, you surprise me. but that last appeal
OF yours carries so strong conviction that / yield
all previous prejudces and now my mentor, pray
point out the dstingue of both sexes"
agreed; but as like bonnie bOuche let us reserve
the most delicate mOrsel, the women, for the last
That large, and seemy looking gentleman with
dgniied air and round-like head, is Bodisco, the
Russian Minister. Chatting socially near him,
with pet'tmdtt'e manners, you see the Spanish Ex
traordlnary; and yon squatty figure, withhgh cheek
bones, long and black hair and well spread fore
head, is Mr.. Almonte, the new Mexican Ambassa-
dor What choice trio are they, that might be
bound together with the feeblest chord of diplomatic
Intellect which their united strength could not break
But Bodisco is a good. jolly we-meaning gentle
man, and he has lovely charming better-half
Then, toe, is ne allied with us by many tender rela
tions-his bouncing young minister, in 1rospecu,
was born in our district, so nine cheers for the
Russian legation That pretty knot of nice young
men, bewhlskered and moustached a la mode de
heaven knows where, certainly any place but in
christian land, came here marked through the fash.
1onable custom house attaches, yes dear me- at
tache's to foreign legations. Their occupation,
lovely, pretty creatures who wear such delicate in
expresslbes and bewching high heels, and all that
sort of DENIM foinc turn out, is principally to
hold up the skirts of their ambassadors coat on
state occasions, to grease their charming selves
before midday, to stroll Porgnette in hand,
ken English about foreign graces, when nine
tenths OF the dear creatures here upon the boun
ty OF home generosity, which found it more advan-
!aseous to transplant the article than inocuate II in
comparing these known. nobody adventures
with our own bluff, honest and manly gentlemen
Look at Mangum-not long from the first legislative
seat in the world. With what candor he APPROACH
that distinguished la iy, who is all happy to meet
so gallant fellow. Arm and arm, wandering
around, and apparently unconscious of the approving
Kindness which lovely woman is shedding forth land
deeply impressed here with state affairs. are
Bayard and Huntington, fresh from a warm debate.
ana ready for thousand more. But turn your
eyes to yon Colossus, whose body, feeling the stern
influence OF giant mind, seems to expand before
the human gaze. He too is here, amidst the Young
and thoughtless, the witty and weak That's the
American, Daniel Webster. That mob of fellows,
who most do congregate around a sparkling eye or
well turned ANGLE, Is composed of members of the
lower House. There is Edwards, Johnson, Hal
stead, King, Granger. Sumpter Hubbard, and one
two others, all discussing the last speech upon the
bankrupt law, which meant any thing but the
SUBJECT before the House. On motion of Mr..
Johnson, they have unanimously voted aye to
tral OF Slmm's last Importation OF the Mount Yer
non brand, and are fast passing through two pretty
tellers TO execute the law. See then--how ami
mated by the anticipated effects! But Simm's
wine is develish fine, can attest by expert
ence and no wonder they are sparkling in advance
On the other side of the hall many of the dstin
sulshed young men OF the district There are two
of man, Jones, Cuts, Hill, Barry. Lathrop and
others. Among them are choice and noble spirits.
educated and talented feI ows. Do you observe that
polite, well dressed, and elegant person, like one of
the odcn Anglo school, in close confab with the
last American Minister at Spain lmean him who
bows and smiles so carefully He is the first dele.
gate from East Florida, and distinguished officer
IN its Indian wars, Gen Hernandez They saw he
Is in high odor with Heavens last, best gift, for his
goodness. Any man who is, deserves well of the
republic That tall young man, in brown and black,
set of with simple white vestng, Just entering the
door, leaning his friend with the high and intel
lectual forehead, and looking Indifferent to the
scene. is young Harvey, from Carolina He has a
they tell he is fond of burning the midnight
taper" He talks well, and thinks deeply, and is
much esteemed tor generous and pure heart Near
by where now he stops to chat to that cheerful in
nocent girl, not out OF her teens, are two of the
newspaper gentry, both good men and true-one is
Seaton and the other stranger; and at the head
of the apartment, careessly Longing on couch.
may be seen an old and venerable pentleman c.