Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-10-29

down at Washington city. Punciua!ly at
the hour, Senator Huntington, of Connect
ticui, rang the bell at the door of the ior-
eign minister. In a second the door OPEN
ed and there stoed before US one of the finest
dressed gentlemen | had seen for many a
day; fine black coat, white vest, white neck
handkerchief neatly tied black breeches,
tied at the knees, long white silk stockings,
morocco shoes, tied with black ribbons,
white silk gloves powdered whiskers; bow
ing politely, your names, gentleman.
Judge Huntington gave him our names,
which he announced in loud voice to the
gentlemen who stood at the door of the
audience room in the hal, dressed precisely
lie the first. We approached, he bowed
| politely, opened the door and announced our
names. As we entered, Lord Ashburton
took US BY the hand with great cordiality,
and introduced US TO the lew guests present.
So the form continued until all were pres
ent, some thirty S nators. the President,
his Cabinet, and the foreign ministers.
felt some curiosity, OF course, to see how the
dinner OF British Lord, with such distin-
.uished guests, would pass off. | soon per-
eeIyed that Lord Ashburton had uncommon
social powers. Everybody was made quite
at home. His manners were So free and
easy, his conversational powers so fine, the
notice he took OF all his guests SO pleasant,
his dress 50 plain, much more so than his
servants, that | never saw party enjoy
themselves better.
Lord Ast burton was sb1ut five feet ten in
height, heavy made, about the size oi Mr.
Webster, black hair, dark eyes, heavy brows
large head, broad high forehead, fine fea-
lures, open free courtenance. He was evi.
IDENTITY man OF a very high order of talents
and may say with entire confidence thai
no other foreign Minister ever impressed
himself more lavorably upon the American
mind. Mr.. Midmay was slim, with lighr
cum plexion, blue eyes, pleasant spoken anC
gentltmanly. Dir. Bruce was OF the HOME
Department. fleshy, black hair, eyes anI
whIskers. He was q very interesting gen
tleman, and with lis high Conversations
powers, contributed much to the entertain
ment. Mr. Stepping, the last of The lega
tion, was small, fair complexion, and ligh
laughing eyes. His countenance lookes
like fun lit up. He could keep the table il
roar. Nine O'Clock had come One o
the gentleman Servants passed around witt
q cup OF pure Mocha Coffee to stay US fo
dinner. Thethum OF conversation filled th'
long room ior another hour. The CLOCK
struck ten. The folding doors were throw,
open. Lord Ashburlon leu to the table ant
as we entered. Mr. B-ure took his sea
directly opposite, MIR. ii dmay took the head
and MIR. Stepping the lower end Of tn
table. had the bonor OF seat az the LEI
Of his Lordship, while Mr.. Webster wa
seated at his right.
The servants, or rather walters, dresse
as have described, were stationed back Q
the chairs-the chief at the head Uf tb
table. | heard not word among tn n
during the repaSt, all went only by motions
, silently like clock-work. Turtle soup, sbou
a spoonful, the first course The whole ser
: vice Was silver. | saw 10 gold that eve
nIng. was struck with the courtesy be
tween the walters and Lord Ashburton. .
waiter approached with charlotte russ.
Will y"ur Lordship be helped! No, | than
you, SIR We went through twelve change
al the table; elmer lasted two hours, W
: rose and retired to the drawingroIm. Tn
clock struck tw elve, the waiter entered wit
strong Mocha coffee. We drank partIn;
cup, took leave OF The British minister u.
y the members OF his legation, impressed wit
, the truth that great men are always iUun
: to be plain gentlemen. visited Lord As
burton on another evening. at his invitation
! which | may notice before these sketche
close.