Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-17
Wasbingtnn gentinel.
From Griswolds Republican Court.
Gossip in the Days Of Washington

MRS. wAsHINGToN's TASTE FOR RETIREMENT.
New York was the metropolis of the United
States under the Constitution, less than two
years, and this period embraced but one winter.
In the May and June following the Inaugural.
ton, there were few public balls, and proba-
bly, many private ones, but the ill-health of the
President, the death of his mother and other
circumstances, prevented him from attending
any subsequent to that given by the Count de
Moustier, which has already been described in
these pages, until after his return from the
tour through the Eastern States, about the
middle of November. Mrs. Washington had
little inclination for such amusements, and was
never once present at any one ball in New
York after the close of the Revolution, not
withstanding what Mr.. Jefferson says on the
subject
MRS. wAsHNGToN's NEW YEARS RECEPTION
THE WAY SHE DISMISSED HER COMPANY.
Mrs. Washington held her levees, as on other
Friday evenings, but on no previous occasion
had one been graced with so much respecta-
bility and elegance. The air was almost as
gentle as it should be in May, and the full
moon shone SO brightly that the streets to a
late hour were filled with delicious twilight
1t was not the custom for visiters of the Pres-
dent to sit, but it appears from Mr.. Pintard's
diary that on this night at least, there were
chairs in the rooms where Mrs. Washington
saw her guests, for "after they were seated"
tea and coffee, and plum and plain cake, were
dispensed by the attending servants. She
remarked, while speaking of the days occur
renee, that none of them had so pleased the
General (by which title she always designated
her hnsband( as the friendly greetings of the
gentlemen who called upon him at noon. To
an inquiry by the President, whether such OBJ
servances were casual or customary, it was an
swered that New Years visiting had always
been maintained in the city. He paused a
moment and then observed "The highly ia.
vored situation of New York will, in. the pro-
cess of years, attract numerous emigrants, who
will gradually change its ancient customs and
manners; but whatever changes take place,
never forget the cordial and cheerful obser-
vance Of New Years day." Mrs. Washington
had stood by his side as the visiters arrived,
and were presented, and when the clock in the
hall was heard striking nine, she advanced and
with complacent smile said: The General
always fetires at nine, and / usually precede
him." upon which all arose, made their parting
salutations. and withdrew.
DUKE OF WELLINGTON AS A GALLANT.
AS early as 1909, two Of the daughters Of
Mr.. Canton were reigning bslles of Baltimore
and Washington. The memories of the eldest
would constitute narrative.of singular and ro-
mantle interest In the first Towering of wo-
manly beauty she was married to Mr.. Robert
Patterson, an accomplished and wealthy mer-
chant of Baltimore, with whom she travelled in
Europe, where she attracted the attention Of
Sir Arthur Wellesley, afterwards Duke of Wei
lington, who followed her over half the CONT
nent, and by HIS unguarded devotion incurred
not little scandal. Mrs. Patterson returned
to Maryland, and her admirer for many months
wrote a minute diary of what occurred in the
gay world abroad, which he transmitted in
letters by every packet for the United States.
When she became a widow, she revisited
London but the future hero of Waterloo was
now himself married, and therefore unable to
offer her his hand; he, however, introduced his
elder brother, the Marquis of Wellesley, "that
great statesman, whose outset in life was
marked by cordial support of American In
dependence" and was now Viceroy of Ireland,
and he soon after became her hpsband. Sir
Arthur continued, through all his splendid ca
reer, TO be one of the warmest of her friends.
The Warehouses of Wellesley died ut Hamp-
ton Court on the 18th Of December, 1853
One Of her sisters was married to Colonel
Harvey, an aid-decamp TO Lord Wellington in
the battle Of Waterloo, and, becoming widow
was subsequently united to the Marquis of
Caermarthen, afterwards Duke Of Leeds. An
other sister married Baron Stafford, and another
Mr.. McTavish, for many years British consul
at Baltimore. Mrs. McTavish still survives,
and is one of the most distinguished and re.
spectacle women of her native city.
THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY IN l776
The habits Of life, polish Of manners, and
style Of dress, we're the badges Of eminence by
which the aristocracy of New England asserted
its outward superiority. If gentleman went
abroad, he appeared in his wig, white stock,
white satin embroidered vest, black satin small
clothes, with white silk stockings, and fine
broadcloth or velvet coat. IL at home, q velvet
cap, sometimes with fine linen one beneath
il, took the place of wig, while gown, fire.
quently Of colored damask, lined with silk, was
a substitute for the coat, and the feet were COW
cred with leathern slippers of fancy color.
Visitors were received with hospitality and
graceful courtesy. The custom prevailed which
would now greatly shock the New England
scale Of propriety, in most genteel families; a
tankard Of punch was prepared every morning,
and visiters during the day were invited to par.
take Of il, the master Of the house sometimes
taking the vessel from the cooler in which il
stood, and, after drinking from it himself, hand.
ing il in person TO the guests.
There was great deal Of social intercourse
in the class we are describing. The inter.
change Of dinners and suppers were frequent;
ut the FIRST, the most fashionable hour for
which was never later than three, the table
groaned under its weight of provisions; after
the last, the customary evening amusement
was cards. The law expressly prohibited ORA
matte entertainments, but they had concerts,
and at these, in Boston at least, private gentle.
men sometimes we're the performers, both vo-
cal and instrumental, simply, however, for the
entertainment OF their friends. Dancing was
not among the things which the legislature had
made Daold prohibitd, and consequently there
were assemblies for this recreation; but they
were conducted with such severe attention to
propriety, that nothing short of the unanimous
concert Of the gentlemen subscribers would au-
thorize admission. One Of these assemblies
would make an amusing spectacle at this time.
The stately minuet, with all its formal and high
bred courtesy, 6ourished in those days, and
was varied only by the contra dance. Cotill-