Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-10-08

He addressed few words of courtesy TO the
visitors as they were presented The company
then formed in groops for conversation, and on
the stroke of four o'clock retired, the eyec be-
ing at an end.
THE DRAWING ROOM.
When Mrs Washington received company it
was on Friday, commencing about seven and
ending about ten o'clock. Two rooms were
thrown open. The furniture that was thought
handsome in those days would be considered
barely decent in modern times. The principal
ornament was gloss chandelier in the largest
room, burning wax lights. The chair of the
lady Of the President was plain armchair lined
with green morocco leather.
The ladies visiting the drawing room were
always attended by gentlemen. 1t was not the
habit for very young girls to he present at the
drawing room, but only those of the age when
1t IS proper for ladies to 90 into company. Upon
the ladies being introduced they were seated,
and the President, who always attended the
drawing rooms passed round the circle, paying
his respects to each in succession, and it was a
common remark among the chit-chat of the
drawing room that the Chief was no inconsd-
cradle judge OF female beauty, since he was OBJ
served to tarry longer than usual when paving
his compliments to Miss Sophia Chew, a charm,
ing belle of Philadelphia in that time.
Refreshments were handed round by servants
in livery, and about that period first appeared
the luxury, now so universal, of ice cream.
lntroductlons to eminent persOnages and con-
Versation formed the entertainments Of the
drawing room. Cards were altogether un-
known.
But the leading and most imposing feature of
the drawing-room was the men of mark, the
"Rcvoluuonaries,' both civil and military, who
were to be seen there. The old officers delight
cd to pay their respects to the wife of Wash
ington, and to call up the "reminiscences of the
headquarters and of the 'times that tried mems
souls These glorious old chevaliers were the
greatest beauX OF the age, and the recollection
OF their gallant achievements, together with
their elegant manners, made them acceptable to
the ladies everywhere. They formed the elite of
the drawing room. General WAYNE the re-
nowned Mad Anthony" with his aides-de-camp
Lewis and DeButts, frequently attended with
Milin, Walter Stewart, Colonel Hartley and
many others. Indeed there was often to be
met with at the mansion of the First President
an assemblage of intellect and honor, public
virtue and private worth, exalted merit and IL
lustrious services such as the world will never
see again.
Among the foreign officers of distinction.
visitors Of the drawing room, were the Vicomte
d. Noailles, of the French, and Major Beck
with, of the British armies.
There was no etiquette in the drawing room
simplicity with dignity prevailed There all
was aiiability, with the polite and elegant man.
ners of that distinguished age. One privilege
alone existed. The seat next to the Presidents
lady was always occupied by Mrs Robert Norris
This was no matter of arrangement, but was
yielded to the excellent lady by common consent.
In those infant days of the Republic, a great
mans merits were pretty generally graduated
by the estimation in which he was held by the
beloved Chief. Now, it was perfectly well known
in ancient days that, of all our Revolutionary
WORTHLESS, none-no, not one, was nearer and
dearer to the heart of the Chief than Robert
Morris. His invaluable services to the cause
of American independence, at periods when we
had neither a coin in our treasury nor credit to
obtain one, were freshly remembered in the old
en- time, and claimed for the fnancier of the
Revolution the title of public benefactor.
Such was the Republican Court in the DAYS
of Washington. Dignified in its simplicity, i'm
posing from the grandeur of its associations, it
Shed lustre upon that renowned era of our
early history when America, having consum =
mated her great experiment of selfgovernment,
gave her example to other nations and an en-
pre to the world.