The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-11


High Life In PHILADELPHIA.
The following is quite readable, II not par
ticularly profitable. We take it from letter
in the Boston Museum I; and we are disposed to
think the writer has given, in the last sentence,
the best reason for reporting such transactions
On the night of Thursday, April 18th, trans
pired in this city the most magnificent enter
tainment ever conceived and accomplished on
this side Of the Atlantic. Commodore Read
who was present, pronounced it on par VIII,
any in which he had participated IN Europe !
allude to Mrs Rush's Ball. Rather, her install
lation ESQ to speak, in her new mansion. Mrs.
DIR. James Rush is one of the three heirs OF the
late Jacob Ridgway esq. Inheriting more than
million, she lives in proper style upon the In
come. Her arrivals and departures at and from
Saratoga, Newport etc, during the summer
months, have been chrOnicled for some years
past she travels with suite and cortege, and her
movements are almost as nomentous to re-
porters as the comings and goings of Webster
or Cass
Mrs. Rush is, perhaps, fifty; but she dresses
with "A taste and toilette that deduct fifteen
years from that number. She is LIBERAL whole
souled. There is more or less Of personal
vanity and social ambition actuatng, but the
goodness of her heart is so well understood that
her establishments Of expenditure do not disgust,
as they would if merely the ostentation of purse
PRIDE Not that she does not strive for effect,
but we know no vulgar desire to outshlne her
neghbors prompts, and All intultlve conscious
ness that we all coniide in that she expends for
- (here break down. know what wish
| to express, but can't word it on the Instant
and havn't time to cogitate it into form) Mrs
| Rush is generous to the poor, considerate for
the reduced in circumstances. Not generous
for display, but from the impulses of her heart.
| In short, her income of one hundred thousand is
literally, charitabIy, and judiciously expended
for the relief of the necessitous, the support of
the deserving, and the benefit of artisans, trades
men, and the society at large.
Her new mansion is an immense brick edihce,
exteriorly in the style that prevailed one hun
bred and fifty years ago-the peak of the roof
presented in front. The door of entrance is
approached by double flight of marble steps,
protected by iron railing The interior of this
great ouse is divided into drawing room, parlor
and suites of apartments, on the first floor The
second and third floors contain forget how
many chambers and rooms-all of which has
been distinctly told me, but which distinctly
disremember. The drawing-roOms are described
as furnished at cost that reminds one of regal
expense and luxury.
This great fete was participated in by eight
hundred persons-and not crowded-cOmprs-
ing much of the beauty and intelligence of Phil
adephia high life" Every person present
was personally Known to Mrs. Rush, and had
received a special invitation. Choice music.
Luxurious supper No gas-except individu-
ally it may have shed light upon character-but
six thousand wax tapers (the European vogue)
illuminated this brilliant assemblage. And when
the conservatory was thrown open, adding vista
of blooming plants and colored lamps to the
effect, the scene Gas described to your cores
pondent) was such as we imagine when reading
of Chatsworth splendor or Arabian Nights en-
tertainment. (But cash did it all. Cash can
do more than magii.) Mrs. Rush wore pink
dress, the yards of which cost--if the gossip
of Levy & Co.'s clerks is to be relied upon--no
less than four hundred dollars. Ex-President
Dallas was mentioned to me as one OF the guests
among other gentlemen Of mark and distinc-
ton.
But enough. All in all, said festivity was gorge
GUS and grand beyond all precedent, here. 1t
illustrates the advances of luxury and the pro-
gress of refinement (of the expensive kind) in
William PENIS village; it furnishes a picture
of society and it's aspirations contrasting strong
ly with that of 1852, as set forth in Watsons
Annals; and as such, if for none other reasons,
" do hold it meet to have it here set down"
.W- The Augusta Conslilutionalist re- b.
fishes Mr.. FoEsyTH's letter, and accompanies
it with the following comments In passing
merited eulogium upon the individual, the Con
stitutionalist also throws out very significant
intimation in the closing paragraph which the
.l:t;.;,,,, bo.o mill ,,,Jo-.t,,J.
THE PUBLIC PRINIING-We publish the
manly and characteristic exposition by Mr.. For
syth, of his connection with the subject of the
public printing. None who know that frank and
high toned gentleman, whose soul is the seat of
honor, would for moment, suspect him of being
capable ofaught inconsistent with perfect ntegri-
in this matter have been open and above board.
His efforts to heal the schism in the Democratic
ranks were unexceptionable in motive and in
the mode proposed. We regret for the sake of
The party, net less than his own, that they mere
not successful. We might add our convictions
of his admirable adaptation for the station of
metropolitan editor of the organ for the great
party Of which he is shining ornament, but we
conceive the offer, severaly, by the proprietors of
the Southern Press and of the Union, of an
editorial connection with those presses, is test-
mOny, under the circumstances, in the highest
degree complimentary.
We regret that he had not been given share
of the public printing. There would have been
nothing discreditable in applying for it and urg-
ing his claims. The Democratic party could not
bestow its favors on more worthy member.
! When he, and such as he is, are prescribed in
the Democratic party, that party will lose the
very flower of its chivalry and intellect in the
South, and will deservedly sink down into a
position Of despised feebleness and inanity
| For the Southern Press.
Relies Of Scraps and Musings.