Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-03-19

.WAsHIssros. March o 1860.

"WAsHISGroN, March o. 1860.
Life 10 Washington. I have heard from a
lady friend, wife of a former member of Con
gress.was 3 Paradise. Ny observation has
been that a good deal OF trouble is involved
in the enjoyment of this Paradise. 1t is true.
that fashion Is not eontEolled by the example
OF one or few. as have seen elsewhere. yet
do not find that society here is free from
: that sort OF arbitrary prescription; at all
events. 1t is a mere fiction that ladies are
estimated merely according to mental accom-
plishments.
Il need hardly describe what saw at the
Presidents statsd reception of visitors.
will only mention what ! do not recollect
! having seen in any published correspondence.
viz: very peculiar shake of tue hand BY
/ the President-a little shove to the right
which seemed to say. Pass along as quick as
you cam 1 could not help feeling a sympa-
i. Thy for the poor old man. fastened up, as he
, was, for hours, to one spot, in the reception
, of homage from a crowd TO the greater part
of whom he would more willingly have pre-
scented the ice Of s patent-ieafiser shoe than the
. tips OF his gloyed fingers.
AS 10 lady visitors, thin dresses, with ev-
cry variety OF trimming, predominated among
the young-velyeis and rich silks constitu-
ted the garb of the siaid matron. Many a
beautiful skirt paid the penalty of its grace
, fui length. WTi,akied a6cks aud skinny arms
. sbone conspicuous in the thrOng. indicating
a strong teuacIty Tor at least the appearance
OF youth. FL0tctTs and PedTls, woven in the
SHINING hair, gave unmistakable token of a
trait the most irrcpressible in the female mind.
Que lady observed completely developed
/. in cloud of point lace; worth thousands of
dollars; another, vIlgarly fat. blazing with
jewelry, viei0g with 1ower-bed in The orna-
menls OF her hair. tuning with heat, crowd
ing for space TO accommodate the ample folds
OF Der dress. skiifully managing To sweep
clear of the tread of The 8dmiriug crowd ut
her elbow or as near as the circle of her
hoops would admit With more pleasure my
, eye rests upon stately dame, magnifcently
atiired in black velvet, queenly in her beauty
and mien, bowling gracefully as she passes
along.
'.Of feminine display ia the streets, have
seen as yet very little. l am not so patriotic
as to trail my skirts through the mud. want
dry pavement. and the clear sunlight shi-
ming through the diaphanOus air, before seek
ing pedestrian pleasure.
III l should be asked what fashions pre-
vail in Washington, L should say none; by
which | mean that there is not the subser-
i-ney to any arbitrary law that l have seen
III other places. One style OF street dress,
however. seems to have general preference.
VIZ a long basque, or tight-fitting coat, usu-
ally of black silk; next to this iii gentii;y,
~ The flowing mantle, either OF velvet cloth,
Jr other material. The old style of hat is
fast giving place 10 the new tip trout. which
Is more sensible. according to my notion; in
fact L can hardly imagine anything more
grOtesque than little bunch of flowers. rib
oons, and velvet, huddleC on to IL rim of mit-
Acerlt and hung on peg upon the rack of
the head, exposing the face 70 the full glare
oil the sun and the gaze of the sons of men.
Young ladies, if you wish TO preserve your
beauty, adopt the new style of bonnet, ex-
ciude in some small degree the orb OF day
and the blighting Orbs of man-the ONE will
rob You of your clear complexion. the other
of your damask cheek.
"The most fashionable time for promenade
is about 3 o'clock. Then, if you wish to ere
ate a sensation. don your best attire and go
into Pennsylvania aYenue-never mind dirt,
tobacco spittle, &c.-trail your skirts behind
you, no matter if they should be trodden up
on by some one-don't for yOnr life gather
them up, that would give the impression
that you had vulgar etor your garments;
continue your walk till twilight, or till your
charms are no longer visible, aud if you re
turn home without beau it will not be our
tauit. &C. w"