The Evansville daily journal., 1859-02-19
From The Washington States.
Life in Washington.

and meaning of the untimely warmth and
sunshine
/ The beauty of the day, united with the
attraction of Miss tane 5, Mrs. Slidell 5, and
/ Mrs. Senator Gwin's reception, sufficed TO
! allure the gay world out of doors. The an
( ticipated presence at those receptions Oft
" new arrivals (Lord Frederick Cavendish
and Hon Mr.. Ashley, nephew of the Duke
of DeVonshire), both OF whom were known
to be bachelors, had caused our bellies and
their mammas TO turn out with unusual in
| terest.
| At an early hour the space before the
Executive Mansion" was thronged with
carriages, and, on entering, we found the
'Sreception parlor as bright with flowers
as rosary in June. A gigantic Oleander
/ in the centre of the rooIl, was exquisitely
variegated by the gay interminglement ofits
! purple blossoms; while from under the
screen of their rich foliage, the strangling
bloom of the pelitOtrope filled the apartment
with fragrance. The embrasure of large
bay window was crowded with cheerful
/ clusters of the rarest blossoms; and even
! China and monthly roses laughed to scorn
in their beautiful shelter the battle records
of the Almanac.
Surrounded by these sweet Towering
things stood Miss Lane and her guests-Alrs
Roosevelt and Mrs. Craig Miss L. in anex-
| quisitely y-fittiag black velvet basque and
head dress of Maria Louisa" blue velvet
and pearls. After pleasant chat with sew
rral friends, we crossed over to Senator Sill
dell's elegant mansion--a miniature % White
/ House" where we found Mrs. S. a gorge
our cluster of diamonds upon her BOSOM
and head-dress SO classical that she might
| have stood in the 'dteiiers of Rome in the
! character of q Muse Guests were pass
| ing to and fro in Che elegant rooms TO a re-
| freshment table, where French walters, in
white kids, were serving punch and chOco-
! late, with every variety of the choicest cake.
| After a very delightful half-hour at this hos
| pitabe mansion, we bent our way TO the
residence OF Mrs. Senator Gwin. A legion
of carriages and liveried servants, and, when
| the door was open, the buzz and chatter of a
crowded room, and from the ball-r0o he
| yonG, the soft strains of a regular orchestra
| burst upon our ears.
| Miss Gwin, the interesting daughter of
the hostess, with manner as spontaneous
! as it seemed unaffected, was quietly gliding
around the circle of her mothers guests,
with q bow to one, a shake of the hand with
another, and finger extended to a third
Her dress of pale blue silk, edged with deli
cate silver, reaching to the throat--the loose
flowing sleeve revealed an exquisite French
muslin-the hair drawn back from the fore
head, and twisted in a simple knot behind,
reminded us forcibly of a picture OF Sappho
in the Philadelphia Academy The. ele-
| CANT lightness of her costume impaired
strikingIy girlish air of simplicity TO her
appearance. Mrs. q. wore n rich dress,
-
A single glance around the room showed
That there were strange faces added to Wash
ingten society. Not far from us stood two
figures in conversation with Mr. Fiffeny, Of
Baltimore. Their faces were not familiar
to us. They were not of the corps dipLo-
maGqae they were not of the Senate"
nor of the House" They were without
star, without a ribbon, .andyetan indefnable
something distinguished them from those
around. As their conversation met our
ear, we were forced TO admit that it was inn
possible to talk better, with less pretensions.
OF mere judgment. We felt sure that the
- late drriOdLs" were before US, and we
were correct in our correcture, though their
dress was not at all English, we identified
them at once. They had, in company with
! Lady Napier, arrived but few moments
before.
Among the ladies moving to the music
in rich carriage dress of black and silver,
was Miss. c., great granddaughter of Charles
Carroll, of Carrolton. The dazzling COM
plexion, the deep blue eye, the peach-like
bloom, were all blonde, but blonde of the
highest order. The raven curls and dark
eve of her Sts-d-Uis, Miss c., daughter of
Col. Craig, of the army, presented fine
contrast. Miss A, of Alabama, who is
chaperoned by Mrs. Senator Clay, appeared
in u carriage dress, ashes of roses, with
rich embroidered mantle, French hat and
flowers which suited we'll her raven hair
and brunette complexion. ..-
Mrs. Latt daughter of Mr.. Faulkner, was
in magnificent carriage dress, silver-col-
ored ''moire antique with superb trim
mings of black velvet and lace Lady Ma
pier appeared in an exquisite spring toilet,
superb silk robe, stained With ureaths and
flowers of the most delicate lilac, white aud
lilac hat, with gloves OF the same exquisite
hue. Miss l., of Tennessee, brilliant and
intellectual - belle, appeared in slight
mourning dress, with heavy masses of curls
sha.ling her face. The Misses b., daughters
OF u distinguished member of the - Wash
ington bar, Mr.. Bradley were in rich silk
carriage-dresses, with rose-colored French
hats.
Miss Mabel B., daughter of the Senator
from our own State, Mr. Bayard, appeared
in rich green silk carriage-dress, with a
lovely little white hat Graceful and spir-
ituelle, everything this fair girl does, is
done in way of her own, and a peculiarly
charming way it is. She is constant
study, not only for a painter, but a
poet; for the poetry of feeling breathes in
every word and look Mr. Duncan, a young
member of our bar, and Col. Washing ton, OF
Virginia, a descendant of Gen. Washington,
stylish widower, were prominent among
the J" beaux on this occasion. Mr.. Phillips,
; young lawyer from Louisville, KY, who
has made marked sensation in Washing
ton society, was also present. Miss Scott,
J of Louisiana, step-daughter of a former
8 ''member' from that State, was in rich
e cherry silk, which well become her brilliant
. teeth and radiant smile. Miss Faulkner
Q sunny face was encircled by one of the love
e litst little rose-coiored hats.
In the drlwing-room, on the right of tho
: entrance, a spacious table was spread with
n fruit and mixed cake of every variety and
d in the greatest profusion, and two immenst
,h;na lnml- fIlai with Rnmau nuncb a,,,