The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-01-27
Tie Court Ladies Of syas.Iin;so !,

L
months, in order to secure his re-elec-
ton, conclude that he must have at
least a weary life oft. So much was
staked-his fortune, his fame, his hope
ofthe presidency. The time had come
when he must rise or set, bri rhten or
goaout in the political world. He sold
his house at Washington, mortgaged
his large property in Illinois, and du.
ring all the burning Summer s'elec-
tioneered" abroad, while his wife cleo
tioneered quite as successfully at home.
On the Sabbath she worshiped devou-
tly in the Catholic church at Chicago,
while during the week she gracefully
propitiated the Protestants. AT the
Lake View House she exerted mar
ked personal influence over the gentle
men congregated there, who as usual
were quite willing to be led by young,
beautiful ard brilliant woman. Edu-
Gated at Washington, long a "copyist"
for the "House," she is thoroughly ini-
tiated into chicanery of political life
and knows how to touch with a sure
and delicate hand its most intricate
wires That Mrs. Douglas will do her
part toward making herself slady ofthe
White House, mo one who knows her
doubts. Give her all wifely honor
She has rescued Mr.. Douglas from at
least some of his low associations
He becomes drunk less often, and in
social life is now admitted into society
from which he was once excluded
That he is to-day the great man of the
POLITICAL world, he probably owes to
himself. But if only through the low
est sycophancy, the meanest subterflge
through the pools of craft and false
hood one is to reach greatness" let us
all pray to be little. ... IS
Apropos of female politicians, Mrs.
Douglas is not alone. Mrs. Conrad, a
young, rich and lovely widow, "who
(another has said) has too good sense
to marry" is called the greatest court
iyeer in Washington, and exerts no
small Influence over state affairs. Her
tull-length photograph, with those of
all the other beauties of gran lpapa
Buch'an's court can be seen at Brady's
in Broadway. First stands Mrs. Doug
las; her physi lue is splen1id-not soft
and pliant, but proud and queenly after
the Roman model. Dark hair, eyes,
classic features, brilliant complexion,
with commanding rather than win
ming 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
ofher perfect form Next standes Mrs.
Conrad, all grace clad in black velvet
with pearls. A willy, asubtle, beau
tifhl Greek, with fair-searching eyes,
peach-tinted cheek, and wavy, golden
brown hair. Beside her, stands Mad
anne lie Vert of Mobile, long an habi-
tue Of Washington, who for her social
genius is pre- clln.nt above all Amer
i.an women. Madam LIE Vert, with
ont being he ,ulit',I, either IN form or
f.atiwr, has rel "a. as ''bells" since
she Wls :" Years 81 |. She has trav-
cled wl,triy, has listed nearly all fore
ign courts, can carry on conversation in
six different languages ut one time, and
be equally charming in all. Yet not
in her talents, nor in her accomplish
ments, lies her fascination. But in the
genial sweetness, naturalness, and per-
feet simplicity of her manners, which
seem to give her posses ion of all
hearts. Her clear, b,ue eye overfows
with the exuberance ofkindness, while
around the serene mouth all wears a
dress of brown silk with gorgeous bor-
dered founcees, and a crimson rose in
her hair. The sweetest compliment |
ever heard to Madame Levert, was ut
tered to me by one of her personal
friends "She is s'like flower out in
nature" Next her is Harriet Lane of
the "White House," Mrs. Buchanan's
nice. A blonde, cold and statuesque;
pure and passionless as marble-one's
very admiration gives them chill
She stands in a verandah, the capitol
nsight. A spray of flowers in her
hair falls low upon her bare and beau
tifll neck. She looks model of re-
pose the very Miss Lane whom
the papers assure us ''reccives with
great dignity" And then, Lady
Gore Oseley, the Yankee English wo-
man, who had seen fit recently to dip
her fingers into Nicaragua affairs !;
who rules not only her "Sir William"
but our lady-like old President