The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-09
Our vHashingtoa Correspondents.

sc7IffS0~ OF the CemPdWy-GeN Sco0 and he "Lne
Giant" in Confdb, de-, DC
Among the many elegant entertainments that have
vened our city none have been brilliant than thst
given last evening the superb mansion OF the Secretary
Of State The young and beautiful the wise and distin-
gushed the brave and honored there assembled
pay their respec. the sage and venerable and
his accomplished daughters General Cass appeared
have grown young again, and received his numerous
guests with Gil the lively warmth and cordially of other
days. Miss Cass whose the cards Of invitation
were issued, received and entertained with dignity,
but yet with Characteristic ease and grace, winning,
with careless smile witticism all who approached
her. She is admirabi specimen OF true American
lady. General Cass couples two brown stone houses
"roed into one formerly the residences OF Governor
Marcy and George Riggs, Esq AS separate establish
they quite szeabe but joined together they
make one Of the largest private residences United
States having nearly as much room-certanly as many
roomsas the White House itself These rooms are filled
with sumpuOus furniture and with and costly works
OF ar-products Q. the genius Of ancient and modern
tmescontrbutous from nearly every land upon which
the shines. The General, whose highly cultivated
taste leads him to Just estimate OF arip every branch,
gathered many curious and beautiful objects while abroad
and the collection has been considerably augmented BY
his Lewis r present Minister Resident 1t Rome
who also rt,loso and whose opportunities for the
diligence of his fancies In this way uneq uaed The
most exquisite specimens Of statuary every
turn and the walls are hung with master pieces paint
Dg either originals or copies from unobsanabe gems In
European galleries
Al
dreds of brave and eloquent distinguished nthe
walks Of science, art law craftsmanship, dipiomacythe
very elite Of the land
With store Of ladies whore brsh, eyes
Rain influence.
Among those who graced this festive scene Mrs.
Senator Douglas whose proud step and regal bearing
forcibly remind US Of Byron's splendid lines
She walks in beauty Ike the night OF ooudless cimes
and starry skies.
The 'Iittle Giant too. was prescpt and full Of mrh
thrown A v
Brown whose elegance OF manner, blended with sweet
aiabiliiy lenders her generally beloved, prom
nen among the guests Mrs Secretary Thompson whose
winning smile and cordial greeting find the way to the
heart accompanied by her ee lord and her ueice
the fair and stately Miss Wiley, ared in beautiful sim
pcya style so becoming to the young and lovely. The
charming Lady Ousecy, TOO whose native elegance and
genuine GOOD feeling ave 50 attractive, was escorted by
Sir William, accompanied by his charming young daugh
ter, Miss Fannie who is already becoming quite a
belle in Washington society, and whose naire and
artless renders her extremely interesting and
agreeable. The coury and polished Mrs Slidell accom-
panied by the distinguished Senator appeared for short
time in the hroDg and then retired TO fulfil other
ments. The distinguished and charming Madame Stoeckl
was surrounded by crowd Of admirers The gay and
dashng Mrs Senator Thompson Of New Jersey and the
elegant Mrs Crenden were there. Count Sarges, the
diplomatic representative Of the French Emperor and his
popular and charming countess, Madame Sartees
among the gayest OF the The Senator from
Virginia, Mr. Mason the gallant Senator Jones' Of Iowa.
happy but in the presence Of the fair the brave
and chivarc Scott whose heroike Bgure
strongly with OF Senator Douglas with whom
he held long teotsts added to swell the crowd of dis
ngusned guests Senator Dixon of Connecticut also
present with his charming lady and beautiful niece Miss
Kinney, of New Jersey, who was belle the occasion,
she must be wherever she moves. The able ana dis
tnRushed Secretary OF the Treasury, accompanied by
those who contributed TO the general enjoyment of the
evening Senator Mallory, OF Florida and the Hon. Mr.
Sckles, OF New York, played the agreeable among the
ladies' while Senior Napoleon Ecalante ard SeInr Molina Of
Costa Rca seemed to enjoy themselves amorg their Yam
kee frenos Baron Girot looked rejuvenated, and Cen
Robles was there still the bachelor representative of
Mexico n n he Wi
shortly TO be married 10 New York belle. Such
BIRDS view of the distngue gathering last evening il
the magnificent saloons OF Secretary Cass.
The supper, too, grand affair, and served up in
the most fash and recherche style and all seemed
to enjoy much. In word, the first reception Of Mss
Cass elegant and agreeable brl,iantsacd
crowded and not until long after midnight did the gay
and happy throng dispense.
had been given by Secretary Floyd to which thirty per-
sons had sat down. As Sir William 0useley says the
progress of Washington society Is strongly ustra ed by
the present sumpuous style Of dinner parties here when
compared with the plain old fashioned dinners OF bygoue
days.
mus, not forget TO mention among those present the
accomplished daughter OF the Secretary Mrs Leygsrd
whose queen like appearance always attracts the eye Of
stranger.
The able and Secretary labors from morning
until night, not unfreQuenty remains In his Office till
ten and eleven o'clock at night perpsrng snd arranging
he be spared for May years yet
WNsHNGroy, Jan. 6, 1858.
Oprirq ofhe Woshing,on Thsore-7he impending Poi.
teal CoEvgilssonNec York Toliticians-Capt Sehslcy
-Nelo Fdshion-7he Red Peaico1t Reccptions-Frenck
Spolidtions, dc.
The Washington theatre opened 70 night for the
first performance. Is Csruss well known saloon con-
vered into theatre. u poor make shit concern;
but being the only at the federal capital people
disposed favor Mr. Stuart those with him who have
had the enterprise give theatrical amusement
These gentlemen have done the best possible with the
loon and have made look something like theatre. II
too small and the ceiling much low. In fact, the
stage and every part crsmped and look and
uncomfortable The house judge Will hold twelve 70
fourteen hundred persons. To night there must have
been twelve hundred present II good beginning,
and have doubt Mr. Stuart will succeed, he de-
TO do Although the building be objectionable he
will endeavor to compensate for that by series OF good
entertainments. lie has begun'well The Wife"
very well done and the ballet, the aftorpece Ia which
several Of the company from Nibics Paul Brilliant Roa
Lehman and others performed, well received Why
co not some OF the wealthy citizens Of Washington who
greatly interested the progress Of the city, build
good thearey Mr. Corcoran, for example, has made
immense fortune 10 Washington, and has real estate
almost every street In the city. have doubt would
be good investment, and would add TO the attractions
IL the place. Who will be eutcrprsug enough 10 build
tbesircf What does hr. Corcoran say The truth IL
that our gentle aud benevolent Uncle Samuel does
much. and probably enough for Washington, that the
people have DO enterprise themselves Though he puts
up many costly buildings, ard does many other things be
IL not likely 10 build a theatre
The editorial in the HERALD Of this morning The I'm
pending Political CONFUSION the slavery Question"
much discussed this evening II " the whole history aud
theory o government from the beginning summed up
in column. Apropos 10 this, Gov Brown IN the opening
of speech in the Senate the other day which, account
OF ndisposon yet finished remarked 'thst there
difficulty In admitting free state into the Union,
but whenever was proposed 10 admit slave State there
were ipsmediately raised 20 many difficulties"
Amopy the active Of your New York politicians
and SPECTATORS in Washington just now IL Mr. Edwin
Croswe lie appears 10 be sort 81 ubiquitous Individual
especially about
ment He may be seen constantly In ether Of the
Offices What IL In TIE windf
Captain schenley, formerly officer Ia the British
army a citizen of the United States who married the
millionaire heiress o, Ptssburg Mss Mary Crophsn has
taken hDe msnsion street where be and his accom-
entertainments.
The fashion among indies Of wearing the red pettcoat
with the outer robe ooped up on each side 70 show
the peoost and foot well " being adopted this winter
II was nrst introduced by Lady Ousesey New Year 9
day, and copied from Queen Victoria, who brought the