The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-03-05
Social Etiquette of Washington Life.

IL Is probable that many Of our readers
will visit the Capital during the winter,
some of whom, although well verscd in the
general usages Of private life, may be unac.
quainlc1 with the forms and ceremonies pc
culiar to Washingon.-The President OF
the United States, and his official friends
and advisers, though not hcdgcd around
with the formal and un,ncaning etiquette
tha, prevails in most foreign countries, are
Yet compelled to resort to certain convcn.
,ionall,ies aud customs, whose significance
must never be neglected by those who as
pirr to position in society.
OF course the President, 10 avoid being
perfectly overwhelmed with visitors, dlers,
and cxci,rment-scckers, is obliged to deny
himself to the public, except on certain days
and hours. Ifa gentleman desires to see
him on really important business, he ap-
plies TO the man in waiting at the White
Housed door, aud if informed that "the
President is in his Office" his card is sent
in 10y the private messenger, and lie him
self conducted to an ante-rnom, where he
waits until notified that the President is in
readiness for his visit, which must be made
rs b,icf rs possible,
Those who merely wish to pay their re-
spccts, call during the stated reception hours
leaving their cards with the porter before
entering, Of course, it is not supposed that
he can return any of these visits. Neither
must you call be prolonged after exchan-
ging few polite sentences, you are expect,
ed TO retire.
1t is the universal rule that all strangers
must make the first cnY on the resident
fnnctlonarieS, ambassadors. ect. the neces-
sity for this course is obvious. None of our
lady friends need he prevented from attend
ing the alternate Tuesday evening levces
through timdity Or fear Of displaying ig.
noranre in the social forms and ceremonies
there observed. The etiquette Of the le-
wee is extremely simple. You enter the
dressing. room, where your wrappers are Ia
ken charge Of by waiting woman, who
gives you check for them you then re.
join your escort at the door, who conducts
von through the "crimson parlor" into the
Blue Room, where the President receives.
Your name is asked by the u. S. Marshal,
who introduces you to the chief magistrate
A smile, a shake Of the hand, and a
pleasant word are all your due, and you
are then presented to Miss Lane, whose cor
dial'smie and welcoming manner to 60 far
to rcassure the timd novice. But it'woull
be presumption for you to enter into a
lengthy conversation, or expect more than.
passing notice from the President or his
niece, so you you pass through the '"green
parlor" iho the far famed East Room, where
YOU at liberty either to enact the partof
"wall flower" or to join in the promenade.
1t is not customary to 60 before eight, or
to remain a moment after ten O'Clock at
these leyees neither do you make any
adieu TO the President or Miss Lane nall
that is necessary is to withdraw as quietly
as possible when you are weary Of the fes-
tive scene-Life Illustrated.
~ ~ ~ F--S-s.e- ~ y,
HARD NAMes.-A postmaster, puzsling
ont very uncertain superscrip,ion. to an
Irish letter, jocosely remarked to an ieteIIi-
gent son Of Erin, who stood by that4 the
Irish brought a bard net Of names to this
That's a fact yer honerp irerr,lied,
the lrishn,an. shut, tlfey get harder ones
'afterfthey arrive .here''a 81 IS x
~ BrsHop JoHEsos OF Uranus .Ass sLEsss. &
ga CANT y y EFELEow.- Utah eorrssbo
writes to q New York paper s'sl3iisilSp