The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-02-19

senex's Letters from washington-No. 4
Observation-Disclosures, &c.

senex's Letters from Washington-No. L.
HorsemamMip-F ashiom-Lnw, &C.
WASHINGTON, February Is, 1874.
This morning was bright and pleasant, and the
man with the long noss and long-tailed horse took
advantage of it to exhibit his PAGES on the Avenue
and ludicrous beyond description was his appear
ance; for by checking the rein one side and apply
ins the spur on the opposite side, he imparts to his
horse crab-like motion, which enables him to
turn what the players call his three-quarter face
(the pedestrians TIE sidewalk, who he seems
to consider) his audience. He progresses like ship
striving against a strong tde-way, as, with a light
wind very little abat the beam, she FORCES slowly
ahead
The second Assembly came off on the 9th; and,
although not as crowded the first, yet the dancers
were as numerous could be conve nently accom-
modated. The viands and wines were, as usual, of
the best quality, and served up in the most ad-
mirabe manner. The aides were in fine feather (!
Among them were several Baltimore beauties, es-
tabshing beyond controversy that the daughters of
the Monumental City still retain the comeiness
that has made her fair Pattersons, Cations, and
others, celebrated in both hemspheres.
On the I'm, Commodore Aulick gave a, Ball at
his quarters in the Navy Yard-represented as one
of the most agreeable Of the season.
On the 9Th, the lady of the French Minister, M
Pageot, entertained her friends in that delightful
and etheriM manner almost peculiar to the chival-
rous and polite people of whom her hush nd is the
honored representative. somewhat amusing in-
cdent occurred which proves that although our
would-be fashionables adorn their persons in fnery
imported from France, and, in their manners en-
t,ves OF that sunny land, yet, in their appetes for
Strong provend," they equal their ancestors who
followed Henglst and IIorsa.
Darng the evening, lemonade and spunge cake
handed he'd here
was whispered runor of Partisan supper, "Pa-
ties Prngord," imported l.: Theoretically soldering
TIN cases, "Truffies,". Mushrooms washed down
with Burgundy; aud with This prospective, aud the
thermometer below freezing point, who could drink
cold lemonade!
About twelve o'clock, one of the elder ladies
took Madame Pages,'s arm, for the purpose OF re-
tiring to the dressing room tor moment. In an
instant 1t was understood through the crowd that
supper was ready, and, two by two, with stately
sep, the company followed their hostess, leading,
as they supposed, to the supptr-rOom. Alas. she
led to the dressing room. Supper there was none
to return to the saloon would have been ungrace-
ful-they went home.
1t seems the mistake arose from the use, by one
of the foreign attaches of the future for the present
tense, II. was describing supper he inte nded
to order at Verys on his return to PARIS. The sup
per was ''im fa~o." His listener ,m.stook the
tense-she thought 1t was "in prescnaf."
On the 18th the third evee asheId. The execu-
tive mansion was crowded with ladies and gen.
| tlemen, of all shades OF complexion, and all the
varieties OF political opinion, from the fairest
daughters of the Anglo-Saxon race TO the Mexican
brunette, with her soft gazelle-llke eyes-from the
locotoco, who believes in his soul that the Of
liberty only bears fruit when its roots mosten
ed with the blood OF arstocrats, to the old federal
lst who Is day by day more and more confirmed
in the opinion that IN strong central government
only Is there any saiety--hat beauty, virtue, and
| knowledge, are possessed by his party alone, and
that the mob, as he calls the people, must be kept
under.
| The President had finished the reception of the
company, and was surrounded by group of friends
| IN the East Room, where the dancing had com
menced, when Captain Stockton entered, accom-
panied by several Of his officers To say that the
President received Captain Stockton with great
courtesy, will but poorly express the noble feelings
that ilumlned the counenance OF honest John
Tyler when he grasped the hand of the man, I.ho
In good report and evil report, had justified his
course, and defended his fair fame And, while
| am upon the subject of Captain Stockton, | will
relate an anecdote Calculating his judgment and
| sound common sense.
Mr.. Potter, the father-in-law of Captain Stockton
| was the largest stakeholder in the United State.
Bank during Mr. Biddle's palmy days At his re
quest, Captain Stockton called at the banking
house, and stated his desire to be informed Of the
then state Of the affairs of the Bank. The Presi
dent and Cashiers, Got the latter there were some
half dozen,) with the greatest apparent frankness
opened their books to the inspection, and answered
they felt assured that they had completely blinded
| hm as To the true situation of their affairs. Mark
the sequel The next week Mr.. Potter sold ou
stock to near the amount of million of dollars al
forty per cent above par, reservng only little nes
egg OF S25, 900. tits unnecessary TO say his S25 0OC
| was but is not.
| Ga the l4th instant Mrs. Wickliffe gave her sc.
cond party for the season, and, as usual with the
entertainments Of the members of the cabinet, the
| crowd was tremendous.
The graphic account in the Herald of the meet
ng held by the New York Bar, to save the Pres
| dent the trouble of selecting a Judge Of The Su
| Court he la md
| has excited much attention here. IfFessenden hat
entered the room little sooner, he (being sorel,
afflicted with the cocGthes ioquendi,) would hav,
urged the wonderful claims of that fourth or fiji
class lawyer, his partner, Hiram ke,chum, who, il
| seems, was not at the meeting; or being present
exhibited, for the first time in his life, the seIf.de
nal, to forego. an opportunity of talking abou
himself Oh Iempora-oh. norcsl that any sane
man lives who could prefer Hiram Ketchum Il
| Hiram WalworIh.
There are those here who see the fingerof the god
like Daniel in this movement Of your bar, well
IN the rejection of Mr.. Spencer by the Senate, il
which, IN his anxiety to pay his debts, Ian uneas.
| ness, by the wav, to which he In not particular,
5ubject,) Mr.. Webster has, probably, overpaid Mr.
turn the balance. To use the motto Of the grea
| Marble Company financier-'' he bldes his time '
When he strikes, he will probably establish
"a Raw )" for IL IS not in his heels alone that oui
| legal Achilles Is vulnerable.
The small couIt room OF the Supreme Court wa.
Tor some days filled with ladies, anxious TO hear
The arguments in the Girard will case The few
gentlemen who were able TO obtain places tell IN,
many who were excluded, that the reporter OF Tn,
Herald has given the only sketches of tn.
| argument.
Mr.. Binney is certainly one Of the most Finished
lawyers and scholars of the age. The Lucidp,
ordo of his reasoning delighted the bench and In,
| ,ar His argument will be- revised by himself, anc
published by the law booksellers, under his owl
| .uperintendence, and will form a valuable book ol
,eference, as to the legal construction in tn
| United States OF charitable devises Mr. Websie,
| reminded me Of what some English writer said
who heard him speak in England-"That he wa,
/ man OF wonderful wordy capability'
| Inquiry OF Secretary Spencer.
| Will you have the goodness 10 inquire of III,
Hon. Secretary Of the Treasury, who II, or shouIc