Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-01-14
Mistellanrous.
From Griswold5 Republican Court, ns published BY Ap
pletOn Co
Uppen-Ten Gossip in the Days Of Washing

! view Ork WIS metfOpOAs OF OnHc
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 few public balls, and probably many
private ones, but the i'll health of tie President
the death of his mother, and other circumstances
prevented him from attending any subsequent tC
that given by the Count de Monster, which has al
ready been described in these pages, until after
his return from the tour though the eastern States
about the middle of November. Mrs. Washing.
ton had little inclination for such smusements
and was never once presen. at any ball in New
York after the close of the revolution, notwith-
standing what Mr.. jefferson says on this subject.
Mrs. Washington's New Years Rec option
The Way She Dismissed her Company.
Mrs. Washington held her leyaes, as on other
| Friday evenings; but on no previous occasion had
one been graced with SO much respectability and
elegance. The air was almost gentle as it
should be in May, and the full moon shone so
brightly that the streets to late hour were filed
with delicious twilight. 1t was not the custom
for visitors ofthe President TO sit, but it appears
| from Mr.. Pintord's diary that on this night at
least, there were chairs in the rooms where Mrs
| Washington saw her guests, for "ater they were
seated" tea and coffee, and plum and plain cake,
were dispensed by tie attending servants. She
remarked, while speaking of the days occurrences,
| that none Of them had so pleased the General (by
which title she always distinguished her husb band)
as the friendly greeting of the gentlemen who
called upon him at noon. To an inquiry by the
President, whether such observances, were casu-
al or Customary it was answered that New Years
visiting had always been maintained in the city,
He paused moment and then observed, "The
highly favored situation of New York WILL in the
process of years, attract numerous emgrants, who
will gradually change its ancient customs and
manners; but, whatever, changes take place, new
er forget the cordial and cheerful observance of
New Years day" Mrs Washington had stood
by his side as the visitors arrived and were pre-
sented, and when the clock in the hall was heard
striking nine, she advanced, and with a compla-
cent smile said "The General always retires at
nine, and usually precede him." upon which all
arose, made their parting sautations and with
drew.
Duke of Wellington as Gallant.
As early as 1909, two of tae daughters of Mr..
Cation were reigning bellies If Baltimore and
Washington. The memoirs of the eldest would
constitute narrative of singular and romantic n-
terest. In the first Towering of womanly beauty
she was married to Mr.. Robert Patterson, an ac-
complshed and wealthy merchant of Baltimore,
with whom she travelled in Europe, where she at
I'd tI,o g
forwards Duke of Wellington, who followed her
over half the continent, and BY his unguarded de-
votion incurred not a little scandal Mrs Pat
terson returned to Maryland, and her admirer for
many months wrote minute diary of what occur
red in the gay world abroad, which he transmitted
in letters by every packet for the United States
When she Became widow she revisited Lon
don-but the future hero of Waterloo was now |
himself married, and therefore unable to offer her
his hand; he how ever, introduced his elder BROTH
er, the Marquis of Wellesley, "that great states
man whose outset in life was marked by a cordial
support of American independence and who was
now Viceroy of Ireland, and he soon after became
her husband. Sir Arthur continued through all
his splendid career, to be one of the warmest Of
her friends The Marchioness Of Wellesley died
at Hampton Court on the 18th December 1853
One of her sisters was married to Colonel Her
vey an aid-de-camp TO Lord Wellington in the
battle of Waterloo, and becoming a widow, was
united to the Marquis of Caermar-
then, afterwards Duke of Leeds Another sister
married Baron Stafford, and another Mr.. McTavish,
for many years British consul at Baltimore. Mrs
McTayish still survives, and is one of the most
and respected women of her native
city.
New England Society in 1916.
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 out
ward superiority. Ifa gentleman went abroad,
he appeared in his wig, white stock, white satin
embroidered vest, black satin small clothes, with
white silk stockings, aud fine broadcloth or velvet
coat, II at home, velvet cap, sometimes with
fine linen one beneath it, took took the place of
the wig, while gown, frequently of colOred da-
mask, lined with silk, was substituted for the coat,
and the feet were covered with leather slippers of
some fancy color. Visitors were received with
hospitality and grateful courtesy. The custom
prevailed which now would greatly shock the New
England scale of propriety, in most genteel fami-
lies; tankard of punch was prepared eyery morn
ing, and visitors during the day were invited 10
partake of it, the master of the house sometimes
taking the vessel from the cooler in which it
stood, and, after drinking from it himself, handing
it in person to the guests.
There was great deal of social intercourse in the
class we are describing. The Interchange of din
ners and suppers was frequent; at 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
amusements was cards. The law expressly pro-
hibited dramatic entertainments, but they had con-
certs, and at these n Boston at least, private gen
tlemen sometimes wera the performers. both vocal
and instrumental, simply, however, for the enter
tanmept of their friends. Dancing was not a.
mong the things which the legislature had made
nnola prohibita, and consequently there were as
sembes for this recreatioHs; but they were con-
Quoted with such severe attention to proprieiy,
that nothing short Of the unanimous consent Of
the gentlemen subscribers would authorize admis-
sion. One of these assemblies would make an
amusing spectacle at this time The stately min
uet, with all its formal and high bred courtesy,
Aourished in these days, and was varied only by