The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-05
AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.
Our Washington Correspondence.
TIE oAYRrIEs OF the CAPITAL.


under wsy-aad although there have, as yet, been
fewer private parties than usual, the number of
pablo gatherings n axe up the deficiency.
The President and his family receive calls every
Tuesday morning, from twelve till two o'clock. Ne
ceremony attends these receptions nor is any intro
duction necessary. The President is " at home" in
the "circuar room" where he sees every one who
chooses to call Nearly all the strangers who come
here attend these receptions, as well as largo
number Of residents.
Friday evening, from eight till ten o'clock. tho
Executive mansion is thrown open and the rooms are
generally crowded to These are the celebrated
levess. The visitors-and every one is entitled to
60, walk in, sans cremon,s, and, turning to the
right, deposit their coats and hats in q small room
appropriated for that purpose, and over whiclrour
friend "Jeemes' presides with great aifability
The ladies pass through this room to larger one
at the west end Of the mansion, where they disrobe
and arrange themselves for conquest. This import
ant operation being concluded their caralierios are
duly notified, and the proceed through the cham.
Der and across the hall to the red room, where the
the President is discovered standing near the con-
tire, attended by MIR Walack, the Marshal of the
District, who does the agreeable by introducing
those not previously acquainted, to the President
Mrs Fillmore and ia giiy Sandstone distance feom
you proceed with your lady fair or, if you arc not
go fortunate, by yourself, through tho circular and
blue rooms, into the magnificent Eas. room Here
You usually find a crowd of eleg antly dressed la
DIES, slowly promenadiDg around in a narrow pas
sage through the dense mass Of PEG pie, and you
either DIN the prom enade, or, forming q portion
OF the wall, watch the passing array OF beauty and
salute your friends. Alter an hour or two thus
spent IN agreeable conversation, and amid the hg-
MANNING atmosphere of lovely, animated, we'll
dressed women, you pick up your hat carefully
vat.hed by the ind fatgable "Jeemes, and depart.
here are sometimes parties on the same night as
the levees and when this is the case the beauties
have an opportunity Of displaying their charms to
more than one assenblsge
You have nova general idea of thes, gatherings
The levce on Friday evening last the most bril-
Eantly attended OF the season. All the rooms were
crowdcd-pacbed is the more correct word-with
people. The two tallest generals OF the age, CO.
neral Scott and General Houston were early in at
tendance, surveying what may yet be the field Of
their bors. General SCOTT, believe has already
determined to hsye the chandeliers in tho eat
room raised foot higher, whilst General Houston
IL Seriously contemplating an enlargement of the
doors as absolutely necessary for the comfort Of
s'his guests. | only, observed two cabinet min.
listers, Crit.enden and Stuart, present; aud there
also spre AIRED to De great lack Of the diplomatic
corps
Msdane Bodisco graced the room by her pre-.
sence, and afforded most lattering eulogum upon
the good taste OF the representative Of the Emperor
q all the Russias The lady of the Senator from
California, also was the centre Of attraction. The
msgni6cence of this lady's dress aud appearance is
only exceeded by the elegance Of her manners and
her varied requirements.
But why particularse further! There were beau.
ties from the North, South, East, and West Gray
headed senators, commodores, and generals, shipper
ing soft nothings, with as much facility as if the
language OF love had been familiar to them all
their lives Who in that bright gathering, cared
for the nonce, for free soil or niggerdom, WING or
democrat, Southern rights men or Northern rights
men. The extreme South Leaned on the arm of
New Hampshire; and Pennsylvania's fair daugh-
tiers were supported By the Stalwart Texans
At eleven the assemblage had departed, the gas
was turned eff, and nothing remained to tell OF the
scene, but the somewhat muddy appearance of the
halls, being the tribute paid by publican boots to
the executive mansion of the Mon.
AL the ladies Of the Secretaries receive on Tues
day mornings, during the same hours as the Pre-
sident, Mrs Hall is at home every Thursday
Monday evening, daring this month. commencing
tomorrow. Mrs Graham, alternate Monday
evenings. Mrs. Webster and Mrs Corwin have
not yet issued their cards for evening receptions
Mr. Crittenden and MIR. Conrad are widowers.
The President gives dinner every Thursday to
about forty persons. Ladies are occasionally invited
to these dinners. The company is selected from
among the member of Cong sess, and distiag
Judges oil .ers, Sc. These dinners are generally
very dull, stupid affairs.
The Secretaries give dinners alse every week
MIR. Conrad, however, gives supper, instead, on
Saturday evenings, and which, partaking Of the
BILE
The foreign ministers who have families here
pursue the same course with regard to morning and
evening receptions, as the Cabnet IN deed, the plan
Of these social meetings was derived from the Eu-
ropean custom Mr. Calderon is at home on Wed
nesday evenings. The French minister, although
bachelor, has given some delightful parties.
na0Gition to these official personages, many of
the families here also have their receptions, and
give elegant entertainments
The assemblies take place once q fortnight, and
several Ofths principal hotels also give balls upon
Charles Hotel, New Orleans
Addto this the fact that Washington has now an
excellent theatre, under the management of Mr.
Marshall, Of New York and Philadelphia, and you
can well imagine that there is no lack Of agreeable
to pass the time pleasantly during the winter
here and if people compelled to listen to prosy
orators and grave simpetons, during the day, at
Other t1' '''''' ''O' NsA'' V 'A' '''-'s - '-'
WASHINGTON, February I, 1852.
lie Presidential Camqoigw-Ths Groutng Interest
IN tie Contest-Tae Present Position Of Both
PaheS-Ihe Candidates, &c.
The speculations in Saturdays HERALD, upon the
PRESIDENTIAL Question" have caused quite llut-
tering here among the various aspiIants and their
friends.
From the Developments which have come to
lgnt duiibs lDe Pass lOfsnignt, the loLoFlng de-
auctions may be made in relation to the prospects
Of the Wigs
|. That Mr.. Webster il entirely cut Of the ques
tien as his friends now admit, unless the ID can
be kicked up generally, between this time and next
fail, AID mon party marshSlled under cover Of
the dust. for the Secretary's special benefit Pro
liabilities Of this, small
2. That Mr. Fillmore has not the most remotel
intention Of running on his own hook. lie will
ventually surrender to W. il. Seward, for the
benefit Of zen. Scott and all he now hopes to do,
is to sell out the government Influence a. high as
possible to Seward < Co.
8, That Gen. Scot. does expect to be nominated.
MIR Fillmore expects he will be; Mr.. Webster, ditto;