The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-02-22
The fres1densss Levee-Piccol0minl
and Buchanan.
tCorse-pondenoe efthe " r. Tribune.l
Washiuvtnn Eeh lHRQ

and Bmchanan.
tCorse-pondenoe ofthe " r. Tribune.I
Washington, Feb ., 1859.
Who can describe levee At the White House!
The White House itself would task MASTER
1t were easy to paint the massive pillars; the
yard; the fine outlook over fever-and-ague
marsh to the Potomac; the chandeliers in the
East Room, blazing with light reflected from
countless drops and mirrors; the frescoed cell
ing. dull gliding. faded carpets, faded curtains,
faded chairs-all ou. Of keeping with each 9TH
er-the conservatory (for which Miss Lane is to
be thanked) open on reception day, but not in
the evening when visitors may be expected,
who, having served novi.ate at Mount YER
non, have no more hesi,at on in plucking q me-
mortal Of the living Father OF his country than
they had in cutting a cane in honor Of the
dead Fathers bones. Easy enough to sketch
these things, but the arcana Of the National Pal
ace. the boudoir OF Miss Lane, the private re
treat Of Mr.. Buchanan, the store-rooms, the
closets, the kitchen, tie kitchen cabinet, the
residence of the National and the residence Of
the Buchanan skeleton-the secret places. a
knowledge of which il . key TO the necessaries
OF the House and the life OF its occupants-who
shall describe these, unless il be Lady Gore Oas-
ley or the correspondent Of the Courier, who's
lette: you served up with a most sppetizing
sauce Of your own some weeks ago! Will not
the Courier Yenkins crafty a waiting people,
No other jenkins can.
But the levee.s Crossing the Threshold,
where are TO guards nor guides, you find your
self in a spacious vestibuls, the walls whereof
are lined with shelves, numbered and tcketed
in hotel hat and cloak room. Here, if
gentleman, you deposit your outside habili-
ments, and with light heart-for you bad been
warned Of the danger Of losing your coat-draw
on your gloves and await your lady companion,
who is similarly cared for in the adjoining apart
ment. Around you are black coats, here and
there only, gray one; white gloves, here and
there only black and brown ones; patent and
polished feathers, here and there only dirty
pair Entering, you find no one to show the
way, and SO naturally 60 in the wrong direction.
At length you are set right and reach the small
reception room the middle one Of three be-
tween the ladies attiring apartment and the
East room. You look tor marshal to present
you and, while looking, suddenly hnd yourself
in the presence Of the old man whose sly eye
and dropping head mark him. You present
yourself, for there is no one to present you-at
least. such was the case all last evening-put
your glovcd hand into lis ungloved one, aud
pass on to Miss Lane, who had gentleman at
tendant during portion of the evening. La.
that she wore pink satin, trimmed with black
and relieved by roses in her hair and bosom.
The current flows in the East room, where
few persons yet, for IL is just after eight,
pIomenading to the music OF the Marine Band
stationed in an ante room. Soon the apartment
begins TO fill up. By ninc it il crowded, and
the few roabli;ies OF the evening appear. The
diplomatic corps was well represented. | motto
ed only two Senators and one Judge Of the Su-
preme Court. Few prominent Southern or
Northern congressman were present. Maynard
Of Tennessee, with his girlish face and long
rnglets, came early and stayed late. Old Com
modore Stewart was in the throng, so was DAN
iel E. Sckles, dressed fsutleSsly with a beauty
upon his arm, and Judge Russell Of your city
escor;ing short houri, VINO wore gold dia-
dem. "Galorious Dick" did not see, nor have
I caught sight oi him since the hour when he
hung entranced over Judge Donglas' punch
bowl. There were few well dressed women,
but as have not jenkins knowledge of names
and fabrics, cannot 60 into minute particulars.
One fair slender girl, among whose curls white
flowers were woven, while blue sash gave tone
and meaning to her white dress, impressed NE.
tall brunette in pink satin, trmme with lace,
attracted some young eyes, But only one or
two OF the Court ladies Of Washington were
present. There was the greatest variety Of style.
Here widow, whose claim has been before
Congress this many, many years, in faded brown,
black lace hanging over her head Here a res
pectable old lady in a mob cap Here u wife,
dressed as for a family teaparty, her collar fss
tened with plain brooch. Here master aud
miss, arm in arm, who have but very recently
exchanged the jacket for the tail coat and the
psntalette Tor the long skirt.
But who is this rising out of cloud of pale
L.. Il.
budding vine dropping beneath her waist, her
hair SIMPLY braided over her head. wearing no
ornaments? Piccolomini, for all the world, es-
corted by the Sandman Minister. Her sister,
pumper, and some (ladies Of course) said pret-
tier, than she whose dress she duplicated, fol
lows. After making the circuit once, they dis
appear. By and by it is buzZed about that the
prima donna is with Miss Lane, and in due
course of time found and was presented to
her, for she held her reception il the same room
with the President.
She sat upon lounge in recess, her mo-
ther, tae Countess, a tat old lady in black silk,
upon her right, her sister upon the left, over
whose chair leaned the Count, whose bald head
and blank face were equally expressive-of his
inability 10 understand English. On one flank
was the Sandman Minister, on the other Judge
Russell. Il don't think her very handsome,
sa d one lady. 'Bnt such pretty ways" said
another (which is sh.g" asked a dozen, pre-
tending not to know.
Precisely at 10 o'clock might have been seen
the President Of these United States pushing his
way toward the +. +. p, with Mrs Gwin upon
his arn-his wonderful head neaie er his shoulder
than ever, his miraculous eve cooked with un-
wonted precision of aim. Mr.. Buchanan who
has greatly improved in couftliness and diplo
matte ability since Lady Gore Ousely pulled WOO
over his eyes, after conversing with the younger
sister for some moments, made gallant remark
to the pr,ma donna, TO the effect that be did moi
understand and could not speak French. Pic
colomini smiled, and used her eyes. Mr. Bueh
anan went on TO say that he did spend three
months in France five years age, but that he hat
no ears nor tongue now. His worst enemies
who speak OF him as in his dotage, never sale
any thing 50 severe. Piccoomni Smiled anc
| used her eyes again. Then the President in
| formed the Sandman Minister that his country
was going to war-adding that he hoped Pi,
| would not be impressed into the service. How
the little coquette used her eyes and her smile
when this remark was translated to her, only
those who have seen her in "Traviata." can i'm
| agine. Mr.. Buchanan would probably hav,
stayed till daylight did appear, had not Mrs
Gsin in,inated that it was time 10 go. There
upon he shook hands with the several member
o! the family aud disappeared
Presently, Mrs. Ross, widow. who is one Q
the reputed bellies OF Washington this winter
Mrs. Conrad being the other-a splendidy Ia
woman in black velvet, trimmed with the flow
er sometimes called Ladies delght-appearet
leaning upon the arm OF Gen. Houston. The
were presented. but the poor General had n
French at his command. Being told that Ems
lirh would not answer, he observed, "The lool
ing is very well
After the Presidents departure, attention wa
divided between the Piccolominis and the Pot
tawattamies, four of whom we're in The Eat
room chairs. Three fresh from Kansas, wor
moccasins, and a dirty absence Of shirt, an
emitted an aboriginal odor, SO that we ins,iae
lively repeated,
| "This Is the forest prmeval."
At 1918 the band played Yankee Doodle
and the latest lingerers began 10 think OF depa
ture. At 1880 the Piccolominis took up ti
liRe Of march, Mario on the Sandman Minister
arm, her sister accepting that service OF Juds
Russel-the friend OF James Gordon Bennett
Miss Lane saw the lass OF her guests safely o.
before IL, when the White House was lett
the President and the Pottawatames
The proprietors Of the Cincinnati Gazette har