The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-09
Fashionable Letters OF the Chevalier Jenkins
from Washington.
WASHINGTON, Feb. &c, 1858.

WASHINGTON Feb. &c, 1858.
Hotr Lent is Observed here-A Crinoine Cabinet
Mondays Dinners-Another Dra,oing Room at
the Republican Court-Attorney General Black
and Secretary 7hompson's Receptions-Miss
Saunders Ball at the House of the Postmaster
General scho Were there, and hour they rere
Feasted- Washington Hotels and Ne,cspapers-
The Ne,c York Herald indispensable.
Pom my honor, this Washington is advancing ra-
pidly, and will soon be most desirable diplomatic
station for the European attaches. Here we in
Lent, which had imagined to be "a time of prayer
and sorrow for sin, of almsgiving and mortiica
tom" but this is the gayest week yet. Instead of
going to church, in obedience to the chimes of
secrated bells, the elevated decimas of the metropo
lis have graced series Of entertainments given by
the Lelles of the government. In Jacksons time we
had consea de cuisine; but Mr.. Buchanan has a
crinoline cabinet of his Secretaries having in
his family some young lady to dispense hospitality
10 those OF us here who are entitled to receive it by
virtue of our social position at home.
On Monday of this week Miss Beach, of Hartford,
who is passing the winter with Secretary Toucey.
was the bright star at dinner party given at his
house. and Miss Bel Cass presided with her wonted
grace at the festive board of the Premier.
Tuesday was drawing room day at the Executive
mansion and heroically did the President permit his
arm 70 be made a pump handle Of by a motley
mosaic. Gallant officers of the army, and colonies Of
the Lobby Engineer Corps diplomatic mobiles
with decorations and cherdiiers dtndusfrie without
reputatons-exquisites in full opera attire, and a
border ruflan in buckskn hunting shrt-ladies
with their dresses far down on their shoulders and
Quaker with his hat on his head-Lady Ouseley in
lace and diamonds, and Molly Finn, who keeps
candy store the avenue, in purple merino-the
old and the young, the good and the great, all
IL. ILL
and broadcloths, bright eyes and epauets, that
circed through the State apartments. The great
Scala was In his glory, and the east room only
wanted few refreshment tables to make II a regu-
lar Partisan ballroom-hors de la barriere-into
which one can gain admis son for ten SOUS. That
orchestra should be " rotated out
President Buchanan submits TO these Gothic inva-
sions with true democratic spirit, and evidently has
the same idea OF matters as did Washington, who
replied TO an inquiry about ceremonial thus:-
Il Mrs. Washington's wishes coincide with my own
TO simplicity of dress and everything which can
tend TO support propriety OF character without par
taking of the folies of luxury and ostentaton" Yet
could some civilized method OF checking gentle
mems hats and overcoats be devised, il would be
blessing. Meanwhile. the person who left patched
overcoat and wore of my talma will please call at
wormley club house. where i am located, and ex-
change back. | am not content at all with the
Transaction against which loudly protest
From the executive mansion, on that same Tues
day evening, the beau monde went 10 the residence
of the Attorney General, whose lady, with her
gazee eyed and magnihcently curled daughter, did
the honors." Prominent In the throng was Mrs.
Senator Gwin, wearing superb lace over pink silk,
aud her daughter, dressed in lemon colored silk,
with her hair Ia Chinois. Here let me confden-
tally state that Mrs. Gwin will give fancy dress
ball either at mteartme or after Lent, which will
create . sensation.1
ON Wednesday night the graceful Miss Wiley, who
is passing the winter with the Secretary Of the Int
rior assisted the fine looking Mrs Thompson in re.
ceivmg brilliant array Of the cherished sons and
fascinating daughters of III. Columbia. They reside
where Governor Everett had installed himself when
he 40 signally broke down on the Kansas hobby and
retired in disgust from the political arena, and they
dispense liberal hospitality.
Thursday night was the scene Of Miss Saunders
triumph. at the residence OF her stepfather, the
Postmaster General where she gsve-issuing the in
vitatons in her own name-the mest brilliant fee OF
the season. Among the guests were Lady Ouseley
(who used TO attend parties In the same house when
William Writ first fitted IL up) and her charming
young daughter; Miss Lane, who yet retains her
mourning and her dignfed Saxon beauty; the fas-
cinating Miss Butt, Of Norfolk, Va, who bears her
literary laurels brsyely; Mrs Mlnturn Of your city,
most elegantly dressed; Mrs. Senator Clay and Mrs.
Maynard, each fine looking, and each in black; the
bewtching Mrs. Martin, OF Tennessee, bright the
golden grapes which decked her hair charming Miss
true heart; Miss Julia May our metropolitan night.
ngale, in most becoming blue and silver Miss
Conner, Of Georgia, ndire and yet brilliant; Miss
Mcdonald, Of Onondaga Valley, ~ ", wearing an
amber colored silk with lace aounces: Miss Chosen,
fair representative Of Ia belle France, in charming
blue silk; Miss Dunlop, called the Belle Of the Dis
trict' be one in high authority; Miss Mckim, of Bal
timore, dtbutonfe the beautiful Mrs. Campbell, Of
Vermont yet wearing her bridal bushes; Mrs. Sena
tor Thomson, Of New Jersey, an acknowledged
leader of the fashion, and one of the best dressed
ladies' here in short Ia creme dc Ia creme there,
excepting our foreign friends, who-for conscience
sake-stay at home and eat red behring's. Par
coliseum.
The cavaliers were not exactly worthy of the
ladies' (present company excepted, of course); yet
there were present gentlemen Of martial courage,
intellect, artistic ability representative reputation
and pure pedigree. General Harvey lowered above
the crowd; Colonel Hardee m undress uniform, dis
payed his tactics in the "fancers;" Mr. Henry, the
popular private secretary of the President was as
ever gallant; the diplomatists chartered in French,
xalized and eninxed the rnfrnshments. RrnfH VIVA