The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1860-04-25

FAsHIONABLE LIFE IN WAsmINGToN.-A lady
correspondent OF the Now York Tribune, writing
from Washington says:
A dinner which attended at Senator Sew
ards may serve as illustration OF the style on
such occasions. At six O'Clock we were set
down at bis residence found q number Of the
guests already assembled-the others arriving
not long after. A formal presentation to the
gentleman who is to be your escort to the din
ing-room takes place you have pleasant chit
chat in the drawing.roOm, during which time,
according to etiquette, you will remain stand
ing you are then led into the dining room q
waiter in white gloves meets you at tho dSor,
desgnates your seat, where you find your name
attached to the napkin placed by your plate.
The host then mentions the names of his guests,
to see IL they are properly seated Turtle soup
Is then served the other courses in regular Or
der, seventeen in number--the plates being
changed for each course wine-glasses, five in
number, of different size, form. and color indi-
eating the different wines TO DO served. The
meats arc carved by the head cook in separate
apartment, aud, being placed in silver dishes,
are handed to you by q waiter in white gloves
always at your left hand. Upon entering the
dining room you perceive the table laid with
perfect taste, containing the confectionery and
conserves for the grand finale f; beautiful pyra-
mids of iced traits, oranges, French kisses etc,
your digestive organs are stronger than mine
You are conducted back into the parlor in the
same manner that you entered-when coffee is
served and liquors of different kinds. short
time is spent in conversation, when the guests
ono by one begin to leave.
Yesterday, March 10y we drove to the White
House, desiring better opportunity than we
had when last there to look around, it being
Miss Lanes receptlon-day. After handing 10
our cards to q waiter at the door, we were ush-
cred into the presence of the ladies in the great
reception.room, among whom was Miss Lane,
to whom we were presented in duo form. We
found her very agreeable woman, dressed in
fine taste, and upon the whole, rather hand
s0me--not at all stiff, and possessing the faculty
of making one feel at ease, which Is, after all
the greatest of social accomplishments. A few
moments having passed in pleasant chat, we
were reminded, by the arrival of other guests,
that we had consumed the time which belonged
to us. and then took our leave.
Next we proceeded to Mrs. Senator Sldcll's,
who is, believe the most recherche of fashiona.
Bile ladies. After process of introduction sim
liar to that already described, we found our
selves In the presence of the lady Of the house
and her two daughters Mrs. S. s dress consist
ed ola lilac silk, hounced, and bound with
white velvet, sleeves short and slashed with
lace, and an ornamental! comb in her hair. This
was the tout ensemble of this gay, distingue mad
am. judged from her foreign accent, as well
as from the vivacity Of her manners that she
must be French. A table richly laid with O
great variety of comestibles next claimed our
attention then came the final leave-taking-
stitf courtesy, and winding up by placing our
cards upon a silver waiter, handed to us by a
servant in livery, when we stepped once more
into the open air, and congratulated ourselves
that SO much had been done.