The southern press., 1852-05-11
High Life IN Philadelphia.

! High Life In Philadelphia.
The following is quite readable, if mol par
ticuarly profitable. We take II from letter
in the Boston Museum 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 with
any in which he had participated in Europe.
allude TO Mrs. Rush's Ball. Rather, her install
aton ESQ to speak, in her new mansion. Mrs.
Dr. James Rush is one of the three heirs of the
late Jacob Ridgway, esq. lnherting 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 chroncled for some years
past; she travels with suite and cortege, aud her
movements are almost as nomentous to re-
porters ms the comings and goings Of Webster
or Cass.
Mrs. Rush is, perhaps, fifty; but she dresses
with a taste and toilette chat deduct fifteen
years from that number. She is liberal, whole
soued. There is more or less OF personal
vanity and social ambition actuating, but the
goodness of her heart is so well understood that
her establishments of expenditure do not disgust,
as they would il merely the ostentaton ofpurse-
pride. Not that she does not strive for effect,
but we know no vulgar desire TO outshine her
neighbors prompts, and an intuitive conscious
ness that we all confide in that she expends for
-- there break down. know what wish
to express, but can't word it on the instant,
and havnt time to cogitate it into form.) Mrs.
Rush is generous to the pooH 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, charitably, 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 edfce,
exteriorly in the style that prevailed one hun
dred 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 house is divided into drawing-room, parlor
and suites Of apartments, on the first floor The
second and third floors contain | forget how
many chambe and rooms-all of which has
been distinctly told me, but which distinctly
disremember The drawing-rooms are described
| az furnished at a cost that reminds one of regal
expense and luxury.
This great fete was participated in by eight
| hundred persons-and not crowded-compris-
ing much Of the beauty and intelligence of Phil
adelphia singh life" Every person present
was personally known to Mrs. Rush, and had
received 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 Chstsworth splendor or Arabian Nights en-.
tertainment. (But cash did it all Cash can
do more than magii.) Mrs. Rush wore pink
Dress tine yards of which cost-if the gossip
of Levy a. Co.'S clerks is to berelied 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 dstinc-
| ton.
But enough. All in all, said festivity was gorge
GUS and grand beyond all precedent, here. II
illustrates the advances Of luxury and the pro
gress of refinement (of the expensive kindly il
William PENIS village; it furnishes picture
Of society and its aspirations contrasting strong
/ ly with that of 1852, as set forth in Watson
Annals and as such, If for none other reasons
do hold il meet to have it here set down."
/ eB- The Augusta Conaiiuiionalist re.
fishes Mr.. FoRsYTH's letter. and accompanies
il with the following comments. In passing
merited eulogium upon the individual, the Con
aitutionalist also throws out very signifcan
intimation in the closing paragraph which III,
politicians here will understand:
The PUBLIC PRISTIKG.-We publish IN,
manly and characteristic exposition by Mr. For
syth, Of his connection with the subject of III.
public printing. None who know that frank and
| heightened gentleman, whose soul is the seat Of
honor, would for a moment, suspect him Of being
capable ofaught inconsistent with perfect integri
rity and fair dealing. All his acts and movement,
! 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 parry, net less than his oion, that ihev rert
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 Il and urg.
ing his claims. The Democratic party could moi
bestow its favors on more worthy member.
\ When he, and such as he il, 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.