Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-03-17
UPPER-TEED0M G0ssIP In TIE DAYS
OF WaSHIKGr0E.
From Griswold's Republican Cour,


From Griswold's Republican Cont
New York was the metropolis of the
United States, under the constitution,
less than two years, and this period en-
braced but one winter. in the MAY and
June following the inauguration, there
were few public balls and probably
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 Muster, which
has been already 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 amuse.
meDts, and was never once present at
any ball in New York, after the close of
the revolution, Notwithstanding what
Mr.. Jefferson says on this subject.
Mrs. Washington held her levee, as on
other Friday evenings, but OF no previous
occasion had one been graced with SO
much elegance. The air was almost as
gentle as it should be in May, and the
full moon shonc so brightly that the
streets to late hour were filled with q
delicious twilight. 1t was not the Gus
tom for visitors Of the President to sit,
but it appears from Mr.. Pinford's diary
that on this night at least, there were
chairs in the room where Mrs. Washing.
ton saw her guests, for, latter they were
ssa ed" tea and coffee, and plum and
plain cake, were dispensed by the attend
ing servants. She remarked, while
speaking Of the days occurrences. that
none of them had SO pleased the General
(by which title she always designated
her husband) as the friendly greetings of
the gentleman who called at noon. To
on inquiry of the President, whether
such observanceS were usual or custom
ary, it was answered that New Years
visiting had always been maintained in
the city. He paused a moment and then
observed, The highly favored situation
of New York will in the process of years
attract numerous emlgrants, who will
gradually change it; ancient customs and
manners: but, whatever changes take
place, never forget the cordial and cheer
full observance of New Years day" Nlrs.
Washington had stood BY his side as the
visitors arrived and were presented, and
when the clock in the hall was heard
striking nine, she advanced, and with
complacent smile said: 1.-THE General
always retires at nine. and | usually
precede him," upon which all arose,
made their parting salutations, and with.
drew.
DUKE OF WELLINGTON AS n GALLANT.
AS early as 1909, two of the daughters
Of MIR. Cation were reigning bellies of
Baltimore and Washington. The me-
moirs of the eldest would constitute a
narrative of singular and romantic inter-
est. In the first Towering of womanly
beauty she was married to Mr.. Robert
Patterson, an accomplished and wealthy
merchant of Baltimore, with whom she
travelled in Europe, where she attracted
the attention of Sir Arthur WelleSly, af-
terwards Duke of Wellington, who fol-
lowed her over half the continent, and
by his unguarded devotion incurred not
little scandal. Mrs. Patterson returned
to Maryland, and her admirer for many
months wrote 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 widow she reyis-
tied London-but the future hero of Wa
terloo was now himself married and
therefore unable to offer her bis hand
he, however, introduced his elder brother,
the Marquis of Wellesley, THAT great
statesman whose outset in life was mark
ed by a cordial support of American in
dependence, and was now Viceroy of Ire
land. and he soon after became her hus-
band. cir Arthur continued, through all
his splendid career, to be one Of her
warmest friends. The Marchioness of
Wellesley died at Hampton Court, on the
18th of December, 1853. One of her
sisters was married to Colonel Hervey,
an aid.de-camp, to lord Wellington in
the battle of Waterloo, aud, becoming
widow, was subsequently united to the
Marquis of Oaermsrthen, afterwards the
Duke Of Leeds. Another sister married
Baron Stafford, and another Mr.. McTav-
ish, for many years British consul at Bal.
tmOre, Mrs, McTayiSh still survives.