Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-01-29
The Court Ladies of Washington.

n
Republican gives some entertaining items
concerning several Of the ladies who are
al present Figuring" at tie National
Capital. She calls The wife Of Senator
Douglas formerly Miss Cuts) a brilliant
woman, and Of her says -
When Mr.. Douglas sold his house al
Washington. mortgsged his large proper
ty in Illinois. and during all the burning
Summer "electioneered" abroad, his vile
eleclioneered quite as successfully al
home. On The Sabbath she worshipped
devoully in the Catholic church at Chica-
90. while during the week she gracefully
propilialed the Proteslants. AT the Lake
View House she exerted marked per-
sunal Influence over the gentlemen con-
gregated there, who as usual were quite
willing 10 be led by a young, beautiful and
brilliant woman. Educated at Washing
on, long "copyis, for the blouse" she
is thoroughly initiated into chicancery CT
political life, and knows how 10 touch
with q sure and delicate hand lis most IN
tricate wires. Tha, Mrs. Douglas will
DO her part towards making herself lady
of the White House" no one who knows
doubts. Give her all wifely honor.
But Of female politicians. Mrs. DougIas
is not alone. Mrs. Conrad, a young.
rich and lovely widow, "who (another
has said) has too good sense to marry
is called The greatest fem lie courller in
Washington, and exerts no small Intin'
ence over state affairs. Her fuIl-length
photograph, with those Of all The other
beauties Of grandPaPpa Buchanan's court,
is 10 be seen a, Brady's in Broadway.
FIRST stands Mrs. Douglas; her physique
is splendid soft and plant, but proud
and queenly after the Roman model.
Dark hair, eyes, classic features, brilliant
complexion, with commanding rather
than winning expression. The picture
does not do her justice. Her dress OF
black silk is not becoming, and is made in
fashion which rObs somewhat the grace
Of her perfect form. Next stands MIS-.
Conrad, all grace, clad in black velvet
with pearls. A willy, subtle, a heaull-
full Greek, with far searching eyes peach
tinted cheek, and wavy, golden-brown
hair. Beside her, stands Madame lie
Vert Of Mobile, long an habitne Of Wash
ington. who for her social geniuS is pre-
eminent above all American women.
Madame lie Vert, without being beanll-
! fu, either in form or feature, has resign
ed as a."bele' since she was ten years
old. She has travelled widely, has visi.
ted nearly all foreign courts, can carry on
conversation in six different languages al
one time, and be equally charming in all
Ye, not IN her talents nor in her accom-
plishmen,s, lies her fascination, but in the
genial sweetness, na;uraIness, and per-
lecl simplicity Of her manners, which
seem 10 give her possession OF all beats,
Il clear. blue eye OveIflows with the
exuberalce Of kindness, while around the
serene mouth all gentle affections seem to
have found dwelling. She wears dress
Of brown silk with gorgeous bcrdered
1ounces. and a crimson rose in her hail.
The sweetest complime nj ever heard for
Madame lie Vert, was uttered TO me by
one of her personal friends: "She is like
flower out in nature" Next her is Har-
riet Lane of the "White House" Mr..
Buchanan's niece. A blond, cold and
satuesque; pure and passionless as mar
ble-one's very admiration gives them a
chill. She stands in a verandah, the cap
iroI in sight. A spray Of flowers in her
hair falls low upon her bare and beautiful
neck. She looks model Of repose; the
Uery Miss Lane whom the papers assure
Us receives with great dignity. AND then,
Lady Gore Ouseley, the Yankee English
woman, who has seen fit recently to dip
her fingers into Nicaragua affairs; who
rules not only her dear "Slr William"
bu, our lady-like cd President Well,
she is coarse and homely enough; and, ac-
cording to my notion is dressed in horrd
Taste. She wears a string Of jets around
her head Of the size Of walnuIs; another
around her neck Of equal rotundIty. She
does not seem to care for al ample skirts,
and has utterly discarded the "line Of
beauty" in its "fall." for it is "skimped,'
shorter behind than before, and the f1oun-
ces curue up on the sides. But she has
falcon eye, and her whole bearing indi-
Gates, in even more than an ordinary de.
gree. the woman's penchdnt power to
rule"
For the Register.