The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-27

The Hssgnbrg Beautlss at the Capital.
A letter from Washington to the Spring.
field. Massachusetts,, Republican, draws the
following life like picture Of some Of the
distinguished beauties who are playing a
" star engagement on those fashionable
boards
Apropos Of female politicians, Mrs. Doug.
las is not alone. Mrs. Conrad, q young, rich
aud lovely widow. who (another has said)
has too good sense to marry" is called the
greatest courtier in Washington, and ex-
erts no small influence over state affairs.
Her full length Photograph, with those Of
oil the other beauties Of grandpapa Bucha-
name court, can be seen al Bradys, in
Broadway. First stands Mrs. Douglas :;
her physique is splendid-not soft and
plant, but proud and queenly, after the
Roman model. Dark hair, eyes, classic
features, brilliant complexion, with a COM
rnandng rather than winning expression.
The picture does not do her Justice. Her
dress Of black silk is not becoming and is
made in a fashion which robs somewhat the
grace Of her perfect form. Next stands
Mrs. Conrad oil grace, clad in black velve,
with pearls. A willy, a suble, a beautiful
Greek, with fAr-searching eyes, peach.tinted
cheek. and wavy, golden brown hair. Be
side her stands Madame De Vert, Of Mobile,
long habitue Of Washington who for her
social genius, Is pre- eminent above all Amer
lean women. Madame Le Vert, without
being beautiful, either in form or feature,
has reigned a. belle" since she was ten
years old. She has travelled widely. has
visited nearly all foreign courts, can carry
on conversation in six different Languages
at one time, and be equally charming in all.
Yet not 10 her talents nor IN her accomplish.
ments lies her fascination, but in the genial
sweetness, naturalness and perfect simplicity
Of her manners, which seem TO give her pos
session OF all hearts Her clear, blue eyes
overflow with the exuberance ,of kininess
while around the serene mouth all gentle af-
fections seem TO have found dwelling. She
wears dress Of brown silk. with gorgeous
b0rdered iiounces, and crimson rose in her
hair. The sweetest compliment ever heard
OF Madame lie Vert was uttered to me by
one of her personal friends ; " She is like
flower on, in nature" Next her is Harriet
Lane, OF the 4" White House, Mr. Buchan-
ans niece. A blonde, cold and statuesque
pure and psssionless AZ marble-ons's very
admiration gives them chill She stand,
in verandah. the capitol in sight A spray
Of flowers in her hair falls low upon her bare
and beautiful neck. She looks a model of
repose; the very Miss Lane whom the papers
assure us receives with great dignity +"
And then, Lady Gore Ousley, the Yankee
English women, who had seen fit recently
to dip her fingers into Nicaragua affairs /;
who rules not only her dear "Sir William, 4"
but our lady like old President. Well, she
is coarse and homely enough and, according
TO the notion of your Gown Correspondent, Z"
is dressed in hOrrid taste. She wears a
string Of jets around her head of the size OF
walnuts another around her neck Of equal
rotundty. She does not seem to care about
an ample skirt. and has utterly discarded the
Zine Of beauty in its fall" tor it is
"skimped," shorter behind than before. and
the flounccs curve up on the sides. But she
has . falcon eye, and her whole bearing in-
dicatcs, in even more than an ordinary de-
| gree, the woman penchnnt power to rule.