The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-08-14
Summer Sketches.-NO. 8.
BY MARY j. WINDLE.


The President arrived here yesterday, in CON-
pany with Messrs STUART and CONRAD of the
Cabinet and j. CoRcoRAN, esq, gentleman dis
tinguished alike for his immense wealth and
noble philanthropy. This grand event has been
anticipated for some time indeed for several
weeks scarce anything has been talked Of but
the Presidents VISIT and what would be fitting
and proper for the occasion. Even the ladies
have for days been discussing various genteel
forms and elegant terms of expression, with a
view to the selection of the very best with which
to addressAin.
As the appointed hour drew near, the people
from the adjoining counties began to flock in,
and the house was soon thronged. Where they
all came from, the hills and glens of Virginia
must tell, for We cannot imagine. The Presi-
dent mingled freely with the visiters during the
day, and before o'clock in the evening, the ball
room walls were ringing with the tones of a
joyous air, and the doors and windows were
half blocked up with persons eaeer to witness
the graceful intricacies of new polka, just
introduced here by one OF the ladies'. A crowd
it truly was. There was the middle-aged man
of business, who had escaped from the toll and
cares of the city, and was endeavoring to wiring
an hours enjoyment from the stern grasp Of
business-stepped in merely as a spectator of
the gay scene--and the young gentlemen too,
dressed and gloved with a neatness and pre-
cision worthy of the school in which they had
studied. Miss JAGELLo, the Hungarian heroine,
opened the festivities of the evening in grace
full waltz
The distinguished guests remained until 2
o'clock to-day, at which hour they left, after par
taking of an elegantly prepared dinner. The
table actually groaned beneath its load of sub
stantial dishes, while side-table might with
equal propriety be said to echo back the groan,
piled as it was with Injuries of every kind.
The impression left upon the minds of all
here, is highly favorable to the President and his
distinguished companions Indeed, the anna
beness of Mr.. FILIMoREs private life, is ad-
mtted by all. The warmth of his heart, and
the frankness of his manners, make for him
friends wherever he goes AS man, he in
spires general affection, while his public life is
full of important action--arduous and momen-
tous duties faithfully performed high and
weighty trusts ably executed We value his
high reputation, but do we appreciate the energy
which has won il? When a man, without the
advantage of fortune or powerful influence,
overcomes every obstacle, and rises to fame and
station, we Justly conclude that he is possessed
of no common abilities indeed, we do not ex.
aggerate if we call him an extraordinary man
Such is Mr.. FILLMORE. A district school was
the nursery Of his intellect country newspa-
per lent its aid to foster it, books, old dry
books, that those acquainted with modern liter
ature would never think of reading, hedped il
round with common sense, and helped to raise
him from an obscure but honest boybood, to the
proudest position in America He is indeed a
| kind OF intellectual miracle nobeman of ma
ture--a man for the young men of this country
| TO look upon and hone
AUGUST 8.
Twin angels, Love and Hope Oh both did guide
| You to this hour, beautiful, trustful bride
And linger with you
| A wedding at Shannondlle All Cupid saw
trifle too we'll when he counted out his arrows
and the laughing rogue is ready TO burst with
rnerriment, as he peeps into his empty quivers
and then looks abroad upon the havoc he ha:
made.
| Yes, there has been weddiug--and the Hun
garian heroine, though quite as attractive, is .
belle no longer. Bright creature what bless.
| ing abe has been, with her sunny face and sunny
heartl Miss JAeELLo was the belle of Shan.
nondsle, but bewitching Mrs. TocHMAs will be
| its GENTS star.
The morning of yesterday dawned bright and
glorious--and long before the suns golden disk
had peeped through the radiant curtain Of the
East, busy feet and willing hands were astir, for
the visiters hereto whom were extended a
general invitation--were 10 leave by dny-break
for Harper's Ferry, where the ceremony was to
be performed at an early hour The drive in
the pure morning air VIVA most exhilersting, and
the sun soon appeared in its rich splendor,
| tonching the Blue Ridge, the Shenandoah, and