New-York daily tribune., 1859-02-11

The absence of Mr.. Douglas from these hand to-
hand fights, ard these constantly occurring test
votes, indicates that he has one eye on Charleston
and both on the White House.
TIE PRESIDENTS LEvEE-PICCOLOMINt
AND BUCHANAN.
Correspondence Of The ~ Y. Tribune
WAsHIsGroS, Feb. ., 1859.
Who can describe lsvee at the White House
The White House itself would task MISTER. II
easy to paint the massive pillars; the yard; the fac
outlook over fever-and-sgue marsh 10 the Potomac;
TIE chandeliers in the East Room baziug With lglt
reflected from countless drops AID mirror; the ffes
coed ceiling dull gliding faded carpets, faded cutsos,
faded chairg-s ont Of keeping with each other-the
conservatory for which Miss Lsne is 20 be thsnkeo),
open on reception day, but lot in the evening when
visitors msy be expected, who, having served a
novitiate at Mount Vernon, have more hesitation
in Ilucking memorial of the living Father Of his
country than they had in cutting cane in honor OF
the dead Fathers bones Easy enough to sketch these
things but the arcana Of the National Palace, the
bOudor Of Miss Lane the private retreat of Mr. Bu.
cbansn the sore.rooms the cOsets the kitchen, the
kitchen cabinet the residence OF the National and the
reidence Of the BUchansn skeetonhe secret places,
knowledge Of which is key to the recessares of the
House and the life Of It's psntsw'0 shall describe
these, unless it be Lady Gore Ouseley or the core
spoldent Of The Bostoa Courier, whose letter you
served up with most sppetzng sauce Of your own
scme weeks sgo7 vii not The Courier jenkins
crafty waiting people1 No other jenkins can
But the levee. Crossing the threshold, where are
10 guards guides, you fad yourself in spscols
vestbu'e the walls WI fereof are lined With shelvef,
numbered and tick-ted ss in hotel hat-snd cloak
room. Here, if gentleman, you deposit your outside
habilmeut ard with light heart for you had been
warned Of the danger Of losing your coat, draw on
your gloves sud await your LAZY compsuion, who is
similarly cared f.rin the oinrs apartment. Around
you bre black c)ats here srd there orly gray one
vile gloves here and there Only black or brown one'
psteut or polished iestl ers here and there only dirty
pair Entering, yeu fad no one to show the way, and
so naturally 40 III the wrong direction. AT length you
are set re ht ard reach the small reception rcon the
middle one Of three between the ladies' stiring apart
mert ard the East room. You look for marshal TO
present you and while looking suddenly fnd yourself
in the presence Of the old man whose ely eye apd
dropping head mark him. You present yourself, for
there is no to pre- sent you-at Least, such was the
oese ali last evenipg-put your gloved hand into his
ureloved one, and pass on to Miss Lane, who had
gentleman attendant during portion OF the evening
Ladies would hardly forgive NE If did not state that
che wore pink satin, trimmed with black, and relieved
by roses in ler hair and bosom.
TIE current flows into the East room, where few per-
cons as yet for il is just after eight, are pomenadDg
to the music Of the Marine Band Stationed in su snte-
room. Soon the apartment begios t. fl up. BY nine
it is cowted, ard the few nOabistiss OF the evening
appear. The diplomatic corps wss well iepresentei.
noticed only two Senstors and one Judge OF the Sd
preme Court. Few prominent Southern or Northern
Consressmen were present. Maynard of Tennessee,
With his girlsh fsce and long rngets, came early and
stsyed ls.e. Old Commodore Stewart was IN the
tIoug. SO was Dsniel L. Sckes, dressed fsultlessly
and with BE- suty upon his am, aud ia ge Russell OF
your city escouiDg q short hour, who wore a gold
disdem. "Gaoious Dick did not gee, nor have l
caught sight of him since the hoGr when he hung En-
tranced over Judge Douglass putch-bowL There
were few wel-dressed women, but as have net
JerkiLs's knowledge Of names and fabric', cannot
so into mt uto particulars. OGe far, slender gri,
sncpg whose curls white flowers were wover,
while blue SASH gave tooe and meaning TO her white
cres. impressed me- A tall brucette il pick sstin
trimmed with lace, attracted some young eyes. But
only one or two of the Cout ladies Of Washington were
present. There was the greatest variety Of style.
Here widow, whose claim has been bafOre Congress
this mary, many years in fadei brosn blsck ace hang
i,c over Ter head Here a respectable old laiy in a
mob cap. Here a wife, dressed as for afaniy tea
pa,ty. her collar st,ned wi.h plsn brcoc' Here
a master s1d mss, ann in arm, who have but very
recently exchanged the jacket for the tacoS aad tue
pant ,,tte for the long sliIt.
Bot who is this risse out Of cloud o'pNe yellow
lece q red rose in her boom, ssort building vine
dropping betes;h her waist, her hair simply braided
oy,r her head, wearing 70 orIsmsnis Pcolonia,
for all the world escorted by the Sardiasn Muster.
Her sister plumper and some ladies of course) sad
n,et,,r ,han she whose dress she duplicated foo~s
After making the ciIcOit once, they disappear. BY
sd by ii : buzzed about that the Prnsd donsa Is with
Nj. I.a1e and in due c.urse Of time found and was
p,estittd TO her. :or size held her reception 10 tae
.arne room Will the President.
Ste "a, upon lounge in q recess, her mother, The
Ccu,te,s fat oh LADY in black sit, upon her nsh''
her sister upon the ef,, whoee chair leaned the
Copnt. whose bad he al ard blank face were equally
.xpiessiy,-of his inability 10 understand Esgib' va
ole flank was the Sandman Minister, on tee other
Judge Russell. 81 don't think her very handso.e'
said ore lady. "Bot .ucb pretty ways, SAID sno'nef'
(Which is she :" ssked dozen, pretending aa "
know.
Pi.ci,ely at 10 o'clock msh have bseu sesa the
President Of these Urited States, pushing his way
tvaid the +. +. p. with Mr.. G sir up,n his sr n
Lis wonderful head his shoulder than ever hs
miraculous eve cooked With un ~ou.ei p'ec'son OF
Am. Mr. Ruchsrsn, who has g'cstly improved in
cou,,li.ess scd diplomatic sshty Stree LAZY Gore
ou.lty pored wool ever biseye, sso' cenvsrsny VIII