Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-01-29
WlgHINer0N c0RREsPoNDEEcE
WAsHrraroN. Jan. p. IS.

WASHINGTON, Jan. p, 1883.
Since New Years day, the festivities Of Washing
ton have been waxing feroer and more frequent
until now, as in Tam Oshanter's dance Of witches,
''the fun has grown fast and furious" Reeep-
tiOns every night-perfect jams-mOst intOlerable
squeezes, where everybody is in everybody s
way; where peoples room is not considered better
than their company, because nobody has any room /;
where toes are trodden on with impunity and with
out apology; where skirts that srutted but nov in
allthe pride and circumstance" Of hoops and crino-
line wilt and witber away until they look as limp
and timber as dish-rags,-where an entrance is as
difficult as that Of Lucknow and successful escape
is considered prouder achievement than the
sc Retreat Of the Ten Thousand these constitute
the rational dusssats Of this gay metropolis, and
engage the attention of its intelligent population.
We attended one of these fashionable gatherings
a few nights since. We arrived about eleven, and
found considerable MOI collected around the door,
which afterwards discovered consisted Of invited
guests, awaiting their turn to get inside Bya very
vigorous charge with large hickory stick, We
effected passage to the door Of the house, and
peeped into the crowded saloon, where some four or
after the most approved Washington fashion. We
saw very spirited contest going between fat
Pennsylvania lady, and fair but resolate scion of
the Puritan stock, one of whom wished to 60 up
stairs and the other down. each evidently deter
mined to walk through he other. We saw very
modest old bachelor from Tennessee reluctantly
lounging in the lap of a maiden lady of fortysum-
mers, and unable to deny himself the luxurious in
diligence from the force of the outside pressure.
We saw certain dignifed parsonage slyly crawling
under the piano. to avail himself of the only unoc-
cupied space in the room.
The scene in the supper-room exceeded anything
since the feast of the Harpies. Nervous young
gentlemen empied their coffee cups intO their part
ners' bosoms and helping their neighbOrs in spirit
Of christian kindness, baptized them with the con-
tents Of the soup bowl. Hungry Congressman
seized dismembered chicken bones and brandishing
them over their heads rushed fEantiealy out of the
room.
One strong-minded woman, bya series of we'll
directed attacks upon dense squad of negro
walters, succeeded in forcing them to evacuate a
very favorable position, from which she commenced
a succession Of mastery movements upon a surloin
Of venison that hanked the main body of the eata-
bles A dignifed official was seen with wine
bottle in each pocket, forcing his way out of the
Jam, in search Of more comfortable quarters where
he might enjoy the refreshments with less inter
ruption. OF course, real comfort and enjoyment
are banshed as visions, which we shall realize no
more.
This is an honest, but incomplete, sketch Of the
miseries Of a fashionable reception in Washington.
There is nothing of very great Importance en-
gazing the attention of the Solons and Lyourguses
of the nation. The outrage perpetra4ed by Com
Paulding in the arrest of Walker, continues to call
forth the indignant censure of the hoaest and right
thinking members of both houses OF Congress.
Gen. Zollieoers remarks on that subject contain a
very correct expose of the whole matar5 and except
his very adrOt and unjustifabe attack upon The ad-
ministration in the conclusion Of his speech meet
with general appreciation from Southern men. y.
The FEMALE DIpLoMAr1sT II WASHINGTON Among
the institutions of Washington is a class of female
'diplomatists" 'intriguers1 politicians" or 'of
fee beggars," you may please to style them,
which, a class, canROt be paralleled IN the
world. These women are generally strong-minded
in the fullest Of the term. No little feminine
scIuples among them; no blush Of modesty ever
comes between them and success. but they Ego in to
win" on the principle that 'when woman will, she
will"
A few days sgo oneof these amazons arrived here
to secure position for her son. who seemed to in
hert all the feminine traits which his mother lacked
True to the principles Of her class she went to work
II she caught glimpse OF a cabinet officer she hail
ed him, if she met a senator she buttOnhOled him,
and if she came in contact with poor "member"
only, she cOllared him. All were alike attacked,
and had to suffer the infictiOn of woman's to ngue
for half hour at least. Heavens, what misery
Even the President was not safe, and rumor has it
that the war was carried into his sanoum, and that
the statesman of half century had TO quail before
the modern Xantippe. At last in the course of
events, she met a distinguished senator from a New
England state, who has a tongue Of his own and
knows how to use it. Her battsTy was at once
opened Round shot, bombs, shells, canister,
slugs, grape and 'B b. were poured into the digni-
tary without mercy, and without even q pause for
breath. When she had literally gin out, Sam
Slick would say, the senator asked If her son was
with her.
She replied by calling Spooney to her, who came,
like "Squeer's" boy for his ''mOlasses and brim-
stone" and was duly presented.
els this the young whom you want appoint
ed?" asked the senator.
eyes, sir" the mother replied "and oh SIR, he's
set his heart upon it. and it will be great dssp
pOintment, and 1 hope'-
"Beg pardon, madam; but did you say you want
cd him to enter the army"
"Yes, sir, the dragons, if you please"
" Well, madam, my influence is not great, but I
will endeavor to serve you, if you will adopt sug
gestion of mine"
"Oh with pleasure, sir; you are so very kind
"Tben madam, from what ] see Of yourself and
son, allow me to recommend that you apply for the
in the dragons, and that your son be
sent back to serve with the homo infantry. l am
sure the country would gain by the change"
Xantppe glOwed and swelled, but be fore she had
time to explode, the senator was gOne.-Pa7nsyJ-
UG1iaH.