The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-12-23

From Gri.wold'a Republican Court, just pub.
lishcd by Appleton & Co.
tppcr-Ten Gossip In the Days Of " osh-
instOn.
hH.. wAs.iISGfoNs TASTE FOR RETIREMENT.
New iorl. was the metropolis Of ia Unit
ed states, under the constitution, less than
two years, and this period embraced but one
winter. IN the May and June following the
Inauguration, there were a few public balls
aud probably many private ones, bu. the
i'll health Of the President, the death Of his
mother, and other. .circumstanccs, prevented
him from attending any subsequent to that
given by the Count dc Mousticr, which has
already been described in these pages, until
after lis return from the tour through the
eastern states, about the middle ol Noycm-
Der. Mrs.. Washington had little inclination
for such alnusemcnls, and was never once
present at any bali in New York after the
close Of the revolution, Notwithstanding
wha, Mr.. Jefferson says on this subject
ngs wAsunGToS's NEW YEARS RECEPTION
TUX WAY SHE DISMISSED HER COMPANY.
Mrs. Washington held her lcvec, as on
'All'i A'N'iahFHs 'H' WI Nv I'iN'lbbH
occasion had one been graccd with 50 much
respectfully an elegance. The air was
almost as gentle as il should be in May, and
the moon shonc so brightly that the streets
To a late hour were filed with a delicious
twilight 1t was not the custom for visitors
Of the President TO sit, but it appears from
Mr. Plnturds diary that on this night at
least there were chairs IN the rooms where
Mrs. Washington saw her guests, for, ''aiter
they were seated ten and coffee, and plum
and plain cake, were dispensed by the at.
tending servants. She rgIHaFKC1, while
speaking Of the days occurrences, that none
Of them had so pleased the General (by
which title she always designated her hus
bandJ as the friendly greetings Of the gen.
tlemcn who called upon him at noon. To
an inquiry by the Pr,sideut, whether such
obSeiyanccs were casual or customary, il
was answered that New Years visiting had
always been maintained in the city. lie
paused ainomcnt and observed, "rhe high
/ lv favored situation of New York will, in
the process Of years, attract numerous emf
| grants, who will gradually change its an
/ ccnt customs and manners; but, whatever
| changes take place, never forget the cordial
! and cheerful observance Of New Years day"
/ Mrs Washington had stood by his side as
/ the visitors arrived and wor, presented and
when the clock in tie hall was heard
striking nine, she advanced, and with a COM
/ plcccnt smile sail, "The General always re.
tires at nine, and usually preccdc him" "
/ upon which all arose, made their parting
| solutions, and Withdrew.
DUKE OF WELLINGTON As 4 GALLANT.
As early As 500 two Of the daughters o!
Mr.. Cation were rcignng bellies of Baltimore
and Washington. The memoirs OF the eld-
est would constitute q narrative Of singular
and romantic interest. In the first flower
ing of womanly beauty she was married to
Mr.. Robert Patterson, an accomplished and
wealthy merch mt at Baltimore, with whom
she travelled in Europe, where she attracted
the attention of Sir Arthur Wellesley, after
wards the Dukc of Wellington, who followed
her over half the continent and by his un'
guarded devotion incurred not little scan
dal. 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 i'll 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 un
able to offer her his hand he, however, in
troduced his elder brother, the Marquis o
Wellesley, ''and great statesman whose out
st in life was marked by cordial support
| OF American independence and wtro war
now Viccroy of Ireland, and he soon aite,
became her husband. Sir Arthur continued
through all his splendid career, to be one o.
the warmest of her friends. The march,
oncss Of Wellesley died Hampton Cour
on the 18th of December 1858. One of her
sisters was married to Colonel Harvey, ar
aid.de.camp to Lord Wellington in the bat
tie of Waterloo, and, becoming a widow, was
subsequently united to the Marquis OF Caer
marthcn, afterwards luke of Lecks. An
other sister married Baron Stafford, and an
other Mr.. McTavish, for many years British
consul at Baltimore, Mrs. Mc'ravish still
survives, and is one Of the most distinguish
Cd and respected woman of her native city.
NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY IN 1875.
The habits Of life, polish of manners ant
style of dress were tho badges of emlncnc,
by which the aristocracy of New England
asserted its outward superiority. If gen
tleman 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
If at home, velvet cap, sometimes with
fine linen one beneath it, took the place o
the wag, while gown frequently of cooret
damask, lined with silk, was substituted fol
, the coat, and the feet were covered will
!, leather slippers of some fancy color, Vlsl
tors were received with hospitality ant
graceful courtesy. The custom prevailed
which now would greatly shock the New
England scale Of propriety, in tho most gen
, tcel families; tankard of punch was pre-
pared every morning, and visitors durin
the day we're invit ID to partakc of it, tn
master of the house sometimes taking tn
{ vessel from the cooler in which It stood, and
: after drinking from it himself, handing II il
5 person to the guests.
(. There was great deal Of social inter
0 course in the class we arc describing. Th
interchange of dinners and suppers was irt
s oucnt at the first, the most fash'onabl
!. hour for which was never later than three
I the table groaned under its weight of prov
h sions after the last, the customary cvenin
~ ,muso,nent was cards. Hho law exprcsSl