Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-01-16
COMMUNICATED.
LIE nv WASHINGTON.

Brown. of Tennessee.) When we entered the house
an elegant mansion formerly occupied by the
French Minister-we saw at glance that the com
panv comprised the elite of Washington. Every
person of note in the metropolis seemed to have
crowded together to give lustre to this es. The al
most regal ball room-a spacious and lofty apart
meDt to the left of the entrance hall-wss lined
with superb mirrors, extending from floor to ceiling
aud Invested Of furniture to give room for the dan
GERS, who we're moving to the music Of fine band,
which sEelled in those long, delicious chords which
imparadlse the moment and make life all poetry
In the drawing rooms opposite, these who declined
dancing might retire and fud cushioned lounges
chairs Of every angle Of inclination suggested by
the fancy Of Incidence and ease, aud jardimeres
bright With flowers from the hot house Of the EX-
ecutive Mansion In the centre Of these rooms
and The host, hostess and daughter, occupying the
post Of receiving Mrs. B., elegant looking Wo-
man, is dressed in rose colored brocade with an
exquisite semblance of falling lace, stamped in
white velvet on either side 'pOint Lace cape-a
head dress Of neecy Whiteness, soft as the down
with ornaments few and tastefully arranged-cOm-
pIete her at tire. But it is the lovely looking
grl by her side we wish to draw your alien
ton to, as she receives, with engaging sweet
ness, the salutaiions Of her mothers guests
A white tissue, embroidered in moss rose buds
Of the most elegant description circlet Of
pearls on her hair, and natural flowers on her bo-
som-present an appropriate and beautiful contrast
to her mothers more elaborate and gorgeous toilet
The charm to US Of Miss s. is her simplicity Of
81. 10
in the highly artificial society of Washington
life Of peace and happiness is unfoded in the seron
ity Of her placid features. This sweet girl performs
on the harp beautifully, with arms as white as those
which the Venus might have lifted above the sea-
foam, and little pinktipped, rapid fingers so deli
cate and taper that one feels that it is marvellous
how they can pinch the cords so as to produce such
flIl-sounding pleasant music as they do. Young,
lovely and an heiress Like Elizabeth of old,
whichever way she turns people will assume an att
ude of devotion Her fortune will ensure her suit
os of various Countries but we have no fears that
she viii become dizzy from such an exuberance Of
incense.
About twelve o'clock, we passed from the drawing
rooms to the ballroom; and from post of Obser
walton we propose to point to distant friends
the various celebrities. Come then, take seat in
this quiet nook where the light falls softly, and you
shall have no reason to complain of the dizziness Of
your scicerons" Note that massive head resting
against the crimson curtain receiving the light on
spotless white neckcloth. The waves of gray hair
show solid mass of intellectual organs, which
press energy decision, and will. As contemplate
this majestic figure towering above the surrounding
crowd we feel persuaded some still suspicious
destiny is in store for this gentleman, (Sir Gore
Ouseley.) As We lock at him, the Gan hail Mac
beth, that shall be king hereafter" of weird women
Of Fares, comes to our lips.
Lock again Note that figure inwhite with head
dress of scarlet honeysuckle. She seems quite at
home amidst all this gayety, and yet not like one
whose heart is in it very deeply. The sweet cor
dality of her manners is balanced by certain ma
tive dignity that seems to infuse into everything
about her something superiOr-sOmething pure,
serene, and refining. England has reason to be
proud Of this, her fair representative, lucy Ma
pier who, in distant land, is winning all hearts
by the sweet. womany attributes of her character,
lending grace to her high position by never seem
ing lose sight OF her happy fresido and domestic
pursuits. Standing near Lady n, you may see
Lady Ouseley, in enc of Madame Ferrere's exquisite
head-dresses surmOunted by two superb diamonds
Mark the gentleman of slight figure, who seems to
avoid observation. To him is given the taIisman to
unlock the portals of nature and read truths in the
flowers, unseen by common eyes. An angel within
bithes him, at times, with inspiration, aud when he
feels the EMBEDDING clasp of these invisible beings
flowers blossom, wings glance waters sparkle, stars
smile, and leaves rustic The green EARTH with its
jewel-wOrk Of flowers and rosy Clouds all bow to
him. The sun and the moon, and the siIvery tyyi-
light and the waters, and the breezes and the silent
dews-eyerything on earth brightens at his touch
This gentleman, (the English poet, Mr.. Charles
Machay, of London) if the reader runs away with
the idea that he is imposing man, he will be Gu
riously misled 1t is the fault of language that It
cannot convey manner, so that the term imposing
applied to one so unPreteRding and so unassuming
would be ilI-applied. To those whose tastes have
been kept pure who can distinguish truth, there is
an indefnabIe charm in the quiet simplicity of his
direct and truthful bearing
The fne-IoOking man whose person glitters with
foreign orders, is Comte de Sartiges, matchIess
diplomat, who is said to coquette with our negota-
tons as Searcy Champion did with Mr. Marcy.
Madame S. is dressed in white embroidered Grape
with flowers Of light green spray.
A little farther on, we see the financial world rep
resented, in the person of Mr.. Barring, the great
London broker whose appearance on '"Change,
like Rothschilds', produces rise in stocks
Miss - of Mississippi, niece Of the Secretary
of the Interior is here with her spiritual face There
is brilliancy-no contrast; classical colorIess,
the pale red Of the small mouth the liquid hazel Of
the passionate eyes, the soft brown Of her hair all
melting into harmony of tint, like fair Italian
picture. And we also, Miss -, daughter of
the Attorney General-happy faoe-a sweet girl who
would make the sunshine Of a poets home-the
leal Of artists dream.
Like the spectre inthe Mapurgs Nacht, this bril-
liant scene seemed to exhibit to every one the object
Of his love. A member Of the Russian legation as
sured us that he fancied himself at ST. Petersburg
The lady Of Senator SHdell in a Russian Court
Dress certainly supported the illusion. Another
who had passed year in Paris, declared that the
whole thing reminded him of The Tuilleries The
dress Of Mrs. S, consisted of a coquettish crimson
velvet cap trimmed with rich lace and ostrich feath
srs, and black velvet Dress the little jacket of
which was trimmed with gray fur of the most light
and aerial description
At about one o'clock the guests passed from the
heated ballroom into the cool interior of the supper
,oom We might speak Of the elegance and magnif- |
,ence displayed in the arrangements, and the more
han epcurean dantiness of the delicacies success
ively placed before them In the centre of the |
able stood "mouster bouquet" composed entirely
If iaponcos and the rarest hot-house flowers, and
,eaohing halfway to the ceiling Among the orna-
nents of the table, was one which ELECTED general
It was the exact imitation of imam
moth nest containing two harnessed swans, driven /
~ a man. This e1quisitely poetical ornament, |
composed Of the finest Sugar and spOtlessly white. |
vas from Gautier's - establishment. All our citi-
eus unite in prOnounciug this elegant entertain
nent surprising in richness and elegance Of dress,
n the distinction Of its guests from all nations ana
n the sumptuous repast any that has been ever /
previously given in Washington, if not in this
ry NJ Wv.
CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1855
MFssRs. EDITORS: l noticed yesterday a para
,raDb IN the Nashville PyU7er in which II Is stated