Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-10-08
Etiquette and society In WnshInEtOn.
correspondence of the phiIadelphia presS.l +.
WAsu1NGToN. Oct. 8 1850

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 1859.
I Washington may now be approached by rail-
road from all parts Of the Union. 1t is to the
fashionable world in winter what the watering
places and seaside resorts are in the summer.
It is always popular with the ladies' and with
those gentlemen who follow in the wake of
wealthy and ariStocratic families The improve
si"entS OF the last fifteen years have, however,
greatly cheapencd the expenses of travel, and
even ot living, and US Society-at least that kind
of society which is found at tho hotels and ut
the receptions of the President and his officials
lis accessible to all wcll>dresSed persons
Washington has become as attractive to people
who are not rich as it has always been to those
who are. An intelligent young man of decent
deportment aud good manners, especially if he
should be fortunate cuough to attain q lieuten-
ancy an the army or in the marine corps, or
mldshipmans warrant, has vast advantages in
Washington, and can make the circuit ofia win
ters residence here eWithlintinite satiaction and
enjoyment to himself, and probably with a rich
bride at the end Of his recreation. Persons
visiting this city are often embarrassed as to
how they may approach the President and
heads of Departments and also how they may
getinto society. have thought that q few of
the rules recognised in what is called society
here, may not he uninteresting to the numer-
Gus readers of Tile Press; for however we may
all dislike the parrenWe and laugh at the wealthy
fool, and leSIIse the more exquisite. tits GER.
and comfortably through the labyrinths of.the
social and fashionable circles who does not OBJ
serve some of the regulations known under the
general phrase of etiquette" Iborrow a few
from an accepted authority neat little pocket
volume, entitled Etiquette in Washington
published SOME years ago, and for sale at all our
bookstores ut reasonable price
The President of the United States receives
visits every day, from eleEen to2one o'clock. ex-
cept when engaged in sessions with his Cabinet
or when he chooses to Ok a different hour. Of
which due notice is always given There nre
certain days in the week set apart as Cabinet
days, usually Tuesdays and Fridays, but the
exigencies of the Government frequently require
extra sessions.
The mode of obtaining access to the Presi-
don't ordinarily is exceedingly simple. An indi-
vidual who desires TO have an interyiew with
h'm ls shown into an ante=room, where he
awaits his turn Tor admission.
''In addition to these moEsting visits the
present President holds pubic levee from 9M.
to 2 p. NJ, once each week, for tue reception of
general visitors. 1t would be in the highest de.
gree impolite to approach him with business
on these or any other public occasions.
The President is not expected TO retura Vis>
its under any circumstances
"An invitation to dine with the President
cannot 6e declined, except under the .nest press
ing circumstances, without the. greatest breach
OF respect to the Chief Magistrate of the Uniou
an invitation from him is a sufficient apology
for declining an invitation previously given aud
accepted.
"On the first of Jannnry and fourth Of DULY,
as we'll as on stated evenings the President
holds public teyees," at which all persons dis
posed to avail themselves Of the privilege sre at
liberty to attend, whether acquainted with him
or not. =
I'm conversation with the President of thes
United States, it is customary to address him
as Mr.. President s''
The Vice President of the United States, AS
the presiding officer Of the Senate, takes rank
next to the President tits his privilege, as
well as that of the members of the Cabinet,
not to be aware Of the return OF anytindiyidual,
however distinguished, to the petropoIis, until
he shall have received a visit from him in per
son, which, if his engagements ernceessary,
he may return by his card.
FoRR1GS MtasvERs-Upo the first arrival Of
the representative of a foreign Goyernpent in
the United States, it is proper for hia to ad.
dress 4 letter to the Secretary of State, appri-
sing. him Of his arrival, accompanied by a copy
of his credentials and asking time to be tixed-
for a formal presentation Of the original. E5te g.
"on The arrival of family at Washington, it,
is usual for them to announce the fact TO their
friends by sending their cards, go %a55l! =
"it is.quite common, in " ashing ton. to make
visits by card. Ordinarily, &ke lady of the
family, or her daughter, drive to the houses of
their acquaintancss during tho liolr for MORN
ing. visits, and drop their cards without having
the carrinpe The husbands cord may iIe,lefr