Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-03-28
Corresponderce Of tie Telegraph.
Letter froEs, Xynshfnerou.

lest he should feel that had sighted him
Accordingly put ON my best white vest and
bought new pair of white kids, secured the
company OF the handsomest young lady at my
boarding house and at the fashionable hour
OF 9, was on the steps OF the White House
We were very politely received by an Irish
policeman at the main entrance, who directed
US TO the gentemen's dressing room, beyond
Is lich was the dining room, which was then
fitted up for the dressing room of the ladies'
Passing my lady in, where she was received
by an Irish groom of the chambers, remain
ed in the room assigned to the gentlemen, and
prepared to look my best. Ny first object of
solictude was to find suitable place for nay
best (Genin) hat. But Hooked in vain.--
The chairs were covered with overcoats and
hats under them, and hats on overeoats nice
ly folded, were arranged against the wall all
round the room. l came to the conclusion
that my dress hat wouldn't show to advantage
there. AT last squeezed it under sofa and
left it to its fate, but not without some mis-
givings.
Finding that my lady was not yet ready,
watched the gents fix up and learned
some things l didn't know before about such
receptions The ladies came in hooded and
shawled, and camo out of their dressing room
in all the etfulgence of full ball dress, remind
Y.
gents invariably looked rather. seedy, in caps
or SLOUGH hats, and old wrappers or shawls:
but when they had shed these coverings and
thrown them in corner, they also appeared
in full dress, after they had drawn their kids
from their pockets, where they lad safely re-
posed until now. Then they passed in review
before the looking glass, used the single hair
brush one after the other, submitted them
selves to little darkey with big clothes
brush in succession, and as their respective
ladies appeared, disappeared in turn.
But my lady now informed me that she was
ready, through our sable knight of the brush,
and after glance at the mirror, drew her
fingers upon my arm and followed the pro-
cesson TO the reception chamber When we
got TO the green room, the thought struck me
that was about to shake hands with the
President of the U. S., and my heart flew to
my throat directly. l could see the various
couples through the door of the Round Cham
Der, as they advanced, and could conjecture
where the President stood from the bows OF
the gentlemen and the courtnsies of their fair
companions All this l could see as we stood
in the row, like men at the polls waiting to
vote, and felt inclined to laugh when | saw
The master of ceremonies was the Marshal of
the District, the same man who would fix
the rope round my neck if l was to be hung.
But my face suddenly grew longer when
found my turn had come, and the Marshal
sad, What rame sir y l told him {" Mr..
Thompson" and lie introduced me in these
words; Mr. johnson, Mr.. President; - and
the great man who stood smiling before me
grasped my proffered hand, and very conde-
scendingly said Hope you are we'll, Mr..
Hobson." ! squared off to make a dancing
school bow, but stepping Oh my fair com an
he ho1u IN, los I
replied g ------," swallowed my
heart, which had been knocking against my
teeth and was about to beat retreat, when
the fingers on my arm inflicted pinch which
recalled to my recollection the fact that had
forgotten to introduce my lady, which l ac-
complished in due form, the President receiv-
ing her with still more gracious smile. We
then gave way and proceeded to the East
Room.
And here a sight greeted my eyes that al
most rivalled the magnihcence Of the oriental
tales. The immense, room was lighted in the
most brilliant manner furnished in the most
gorgeous and costly style; thronged with
ladies dressed in the most fashionable, and
| gentlemen Ill the most stylish manner. Mir
rors which lined the walls wherever there was
not window, made the scene appear still
more gorgeous. My poor head, which had SO
suffered in the encounter with the Presid Mt
was still Illustrated and my lady friend, who
was az fat IN these matters, Jed me directly
into the current of promenaders, who were
clrcllng the room according to the etiquette of
the occasion. We passed around the loom,
looking at all the rest, and displaying our own
selves, till L saw an empty tete a tete, and we
sat down.
Now could see the gay throng as they
| passed III succession before me. There were
ladies in plain black silk high necked and long
sieeVed dresses, of a certain age; and ladies in
| silk dresses composed of all eolors of thersin.
bow, Hounced to the waists without sleeves.
and low necksi of an uncertain age; one lady
flashed past me in crimson velvet and rubies
then came beautiful young girl in book
muslin leaning on the arm of one of our ma
val otficersi there was Madame Bodisco, wild
ow ct the late Russian Minister in black vel
vet and n Honiton lace bertha. Members of
Congress in " brass coats and blue buttons
passed by with their ladies'; grave old Sena-
tors IN black, invariably with young girls =
oihcers OF the army and navy, flashing in
proiusion Of gold lace trapping, others with
Their swords; Ministers Plenipotentiarv and
the attaches to their legation, shining in or
ders and ribbons cabinet ministers; store
keepers, office seekers, editors, and the yelv
many prominent government officials; each
and every one Of them with ladg on his arm
and every one Of them dressed in the extreme
OF fashion one way or other.
The hero of San Jaclnto, Gen. Houston.
was always surrounded by a circle of friends,
wherever he moved. He wore his usual orav
irock- coat and semi-military dress and was
without the invariable glove. There was the
funny Senator, John P. Hale, absolutely
laughing with member from North Carroll.
ma; and there was two Southern gentlemen
promenBdng with his daughters. Hon. An.
son Burilngame was promenadng with a
southern beauty; Hon. Mrs Hall OF Mgssa-
chusetts, was smiling upon Florida Senator .
Hon-tst John Woodruff of Connecticut. seem
ed explaining some joke TO Judge of the
supreme Court, who was laughing and hold
ing his sides. | was so astonlsled Mon
who that day had heard defying each other
TO the teeth In Congress, seemed to be the hest
friends possible here. Thinks to myself"
we won't dissolve the Union yet, if these re-
ceptions last.
we resumed our place in the ranks, aud fol-
lowed the current A lady before me. with n
very low necked dress, attracted nv attention
by her dazzling white neck and shoulders.-
but the procession suddenly stopping, brush
ed against her and did not wonder how thew
became SO white, as | brushed the pearl DOW.
der from my black coat sleeve. Alter parad-
ing for while, talking with my friends whom
| occasionally met, and gazing at all the nota.
pies pointed out by my fair friend, the brass
pahd OF some forty pieces who had been play-
ing most OF the evening gave the usual signal
oiretlrlng by playing Yankee Doodle. when
the current set towards the ressing. room of
the ladies, where l left my companion aud