Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-02-17
LIrE IN MAsnINGroN.

=
February. So lovely and mild was 1t that in
our public grounds the bright eyes of the flow
ers peeped up from among their glancous leaves,
as if to ascertain the use and meaning of the
untimely warmth and sunshine.
The beauty of the day, united with the at
traction of Miss Lanes, Mrs. Siidelfs, and Mrs.
Senator OWNS reception, sutticed to allure
the gay world out of doors. The anticipated
presence at those receptions of two "new arri-
walls, " Nord Frederick Cayendsb, and Hen. Mr..
\ Ashley, nephew of the Duke of Devonshire,)
both of whom were known to be bachelors, had
caused our bellies and their manmas to turn out
with unusual interest.
| At an early hour the space before the eek
ecutiye Mansion" was thronged with carriages,
and, on entering we found the reception par
lor" as bright with flowers as rosary in June.
A gigantic 0leander, in the centre of the room,
was exousitely variegated by the gay inter.
minglemcnt of its purple blossoms; while from
under the screen of their rich foiage, the
strangling bloom Of the peliotrope filled the
apartment with fragrance. The embrasure of a
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 baffled records Of the AL
manac,
Surrounded by these sweet Towering things
stood Miss Lane and her guests-Mrs. Roosevelt
and Mrs. Craig-Miss l.. in an exquisitely-i1t-
ting black velvet basque and head-dress of
"Maria Louisa" blue velvet aud pearls. After
pleasant chat with several friends, we crossed
over to Senator Slidell's elegant maGsion-a
miniature "white House'-where we found
Mrs. S., gorgeous cluster of diamonds uponher
bosom, and head-dress so classical that she
might have stood in the "dtIiers' OF Rome in the
character of Muse" Guests were passing to
and fro in the elegant rooms TO a refreshment
table, where French walters, in white kids, were
serving punch and chocolate, with every variety
of the choicest cake. After a very delightful
half hour at this hospitable mansion, we bent
our way to the residence of Mrs. Senator Gwin.
legion of carriages and liveried servants, and,
when the door was open, the buzz and chat of
crowded room, and from the ballroom beyond,
the soft strains Of regular orchestra burst upon
our ears.
Miss Gwin, the interesting daughter of the
hostess, with q manner as spontaneous as il
seemed unaffected, was quietly gliding around
the circle of her mothers guests, with bow TO
one, shake of the hand with another, and
finger extended TO third. Her dress of pale
blue silk, edged with delicate silver reaching TO
the throat-ihe loose flowing sleeve revealing
an exquisite French muSlin-the hair drawn
back from the forehead, and twisted in a simple
knot behind, reminded us forcibly Of a picture
of Sappho in the Philadelphia Academy. The
elegant fghtness of her costume impaired a
strikingly girish air of simplicity to her appear
ance. Mrs. G. was in rich dress, with Pari.
sian head-slress of cherry velvet.
A glance around the room showed that there
we're strange faces added to Washington society.
Not far from u stood two figures in converse