The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-08

The SEASON AT WAsHNGToE-SoCIAL IN
PRovEMENrs-From all indications the coming
season at Washington will be unusually brill
liant The members of the Congress now in
session have been generally selected from a
class of the community who are accustomed to
and who enjoy social relaxation of all kinds
The Cabinet advisers of the President are like
wise men of position, wealth and standing, and
no efforts will be wanting on their part to make
the national capital as gay as the recognized
metropolis of the Union. In this city it does
not appear that there will be many social
gatherings. Almost every one feels the effects Of
the financial revulsion, and sees the necessity of
retrenching expenses and awaiting the advent
of better times. But at Washington this
exigency is not 80 apparent A new
Congress is in session The administration
majority will endeavor to maintain its position,
in and out of the House, by the use of every
means within its power, while the opposition,
busy in constructing new platform for the
Presidential election of 1860, will spare no
pains to make friends. The diplomatic corps
and more particularly the representative of
Great Britain-will be sure to sustain its part
in the general festvity. In fact the revelries
have already commenced. The British Minister
lately inaugurated series of soirees musicale,
with the best artists in the country. The men,
beers of Congress who have fashionable wives or
beautiful daughters have taken fine houses for
the season, and will give balls, dinners soirses,
and other entertainments to their friends
Congress itself finds splendid addition
to the Capitol, designed after the plans of the
new houses of Parliament. In fact, there is
quite political and social revival.
As we observed upon late visit to the CAPT
tai, there is a general brushing up all round
The hotel keepers have invested something in
renovating Matchmaking their houses carry
ing on cfdsdde against cobwebs and con-
spiracy to dethrone the cockroaches The Ma
tional Hotel, which had a bad reputation last
year, has been leased by some New Englanders,
who have introduced new feature in the manage
ment of the house, in the shape of brooms, which,
like all novelties of the kind sweep clean for
the present. The other hotel keepers intend to
make q reduction of from twenty-five to fifty per
cent in their scale of charges and to increase
their accommodations for the public. The mild
admonitions which we have addressed to them
from time to time have not been
without effect, and there is really
no reason why the hotels in Washington should
not be quite equal to any in the country The
market is good and cheap, rents are not high,
and the patronage is extensive and liberal. We
have no doubt that the public will be better ac-
commodatcd at the hotels in Washington during
this season than ever before. There is to be
also in Washington this season a new and ele-
giant theatre, and generally the places of public
resort are to be renovated. Several 6nanciers
intend to give, for the delectation of members
Of Congress and the lobby, very elegant ,oirtes
with petite soupers. There is q certain prejudice
against the gentlemen of the green cloth in
some circles, but at Washington they form q
very important class of the community, and il
is cheering to know that these financiers are
duly appreciated in the District.
After the close ofthe Opera season here, Wash
ington society will receive several important
acquisitions from this city, and the young ladies
in Fifth avenue and other fashionable districts
are preparing to astonish the sagcs Of the CAPT
tai with a grand display of dry goods. So,
mixed up with the grave questions which will
come before our Legislators, We may expect some
grand exhibitions of fashion, folly, frippery,
Irritation and fummery Of all sorts. V,pe Ia
bagatelle!