The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-18

nature-should the throats of the State BARRIERS
be finally cut by their own razors.
STAGNATIoN IN FASHIONABLE SoCETY.-There
seems to be sort of stagpation just now in the
fashionable world. The exhaustion consequent
upon two seasons of the Piccolomini fever has
for n time killed the chances of any other ope-
ratio speculation, and for the nonce our Fifth
avenue bellies are without this means Of publicly
displaying their charms. Ofprivate parties there
have been comparatively few during the present
season, and these have been confined to particu-
ar cliques. Sexton Brown is so puzzled by the
falling off that he has taken to examining the
mortality tables for the causes of it. He has
been SO long occupied in trying to make the ex-
tremes of joy and grief meet that it is but natu-
raj he should expect to find the fruits Of his
marriage feasts turned 10 ashes. The daughters
of our New York milionaires have all been dis
posed OF, and there is consequently any number
of Italian Counts, German Barons and French
Zouaves left pining in hopeless restitution AS
filibustering expeditions are for the present used
up, we fear there is no alternative for these un-
fortunates but the almshouse.
In Washington things fashionable are in the
same inert state. There are but few dinners,
and fewer balls. The host of scheming mammas
and aspiring daughters who annually flock there
are not as formidable as usual to the peace Of
bachelors. The lobby influences which seek
through the same delicate agencies to concilate
obstacles in ruling quarters, are comparatively
quiescent. With the exception of an occasional
diplomatic dinner, or q formal reception, there
would seem to be as complete a lull in the fash
ionable world in Washington as there is here
The reason is patent. This is the short session.
and in the short session, as every one knows
there is no time for the intrigues, POLITICAL social
and amatory, which are worked out by the aid
of dinners and balls.
An effort is, we see, being made to redeem the
Hatness and insipidity of the Washington season
by some grand fae, which will have the effect
of galvanizing it into temporary life. The ap-
preaching departure of the British Minister,
Lord Napier, has furnished motive for such an
entertainment. 1t is proposed to give this popu-
lar nobleman and his lady ball, in order to
mark the high respect which is personally felt
for them, as well as the general regret caused by
their recall
We have two objections to offer to the project
In the first place, in q season like the present
Washington is not the place where such COM
pliment should be paid There are not enough
families of distinction in that city, just now, to
render it an entertainment such as we desire to
see given to Lord and Lady Napier In the
second, we think that in order to invest it with
the features of interest which the universal es-
TEEN entertained for them calls for, it should be
given in New York. Such project has, we
know, been for some time past in contemplation
amongst the English residents of our city. We
must take it out of their hands, and render it a
Jete cosmopolitan in Its character, and one in
which all, natives as well as foreigners, can join
With this view some twenty or five and twenty
of the leading families from the principal cities
of the Northern States and Canada should be
invited, together with the diplomatic corps and the
most distinguished foreigners at present in the
country. The only place suited for such
demonstration would, of course, be the AGA
deny in Fourteenth street, and musical arrange.
ments might be made to impart to it ad-
ditional eclot The tickets would have to be
priced hgh-say at ten dollars-in order to guard
against overcrowding, and insure the liberal
expenditure called for by the occasion. The
compliment thus offered would be appreciated,
not only by the distinguished subjects of it, but
by the English government and people. Whilst
it would demonstrate the high estimation in
which Lord Napier's character and social quail
ties are held by us, it would serve at the same
time to disprove the stories which have been
circulated as to the causes of his recall-such,
for instance, as the report Of his alleged Southern
proclivities and associations-a silly rumor
set afoat by the Sumner family in Boston We
trust that this suggestion will be acted upon at
once by the numerous admirers of Lord Napier
in this city. His lordship will probably leave
early in March, and the ball will, therefore,
have to be given some time in February 1t will
take several weeks to organize it on the scale
which we suggest, and no time should be lost in
making the necessary arrangements. All things
concurring we think this fsh may be rendered
most brilliant and effective one, and by its
means the cloud of dulness which seems to have
settled over our fashionables may be dispelled
for while
TBrRLow WEED AND Hrs FRIENDS IN CAU-
Gus ON THE AFFAIRS OF TIE MErRopoI1s.--
We give, a report in another column of very
important caucus held in this city last week
by Thurlow Weed and some leading republican