The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-09
Family Groups at the National Hotel.
AS SEEN By 4 LADY.

| suppose that should have stated some
time since that this is the "Ladies' Ordinary"
of the National Hotel The men who enter
this hall are supposed to be gentlemen sup
posed to have time to masticate their food in
Christian manner; time to read the news
paper, and to discuss the news with their la
dy friends over their coffee. You see that it
is a very long hall. A table which extends its
entire length is for ''transents." The small,
round tables on either side, with their shin
ing damask and silver, are for private fami-
lies, the regular guests of the house. Here
we can drink our coffee as easily and quietly
as in the breakfast room at home, while, if
we choose, seeing vastly more. At the round
table nearest the door sits Senator Clarke of
New Hampshire, with his beautiful boys and
pleasant, matronly wife. believe in Sena-
tor Clarke Anywhere, under any circum-
stances, though | knew nothing else of the
man, would believe in such head and face
as his. He is an earnest and eloquent sena-
tor, patriot and Christian. A man over
six feet high, of strong nervous temperament,
dark hair and open face, on every line of
which is stamped the truth. Next him, more
mindful of his newspaper than his breakfast.
sits Senator Hale, looking exceedingly COM
Portable, with his very round face and very
large stomach. Mrs Hale, whether eating
her breakfast, or sitting, plainly dressed, in
the Senate gallery, Or in purple and ermine
ready for calls, or in the full costume of the
evening, always looks handsome. A woman
of queenly presence, with commanding, mag
netic eyes, she can lay claim to beauty as
we'll as her lovely daughters, and at an even
ing party looks like their elder sister Miss
Lizzie and Lucy bear with them the fine pure
skin and delicate bloom which is wrought
only by the airs of the New England noun.
tains, while their large, liquid eyes alone es-
tabish tkeir title to beauty, Here is fine
family group, Republican.
At the next table, we have the Senator
from Michigan, with his elegant, stylish and
very stately wife. She has on one of thu
dantiest and prettiest Of morning caps, ant
scarlet shawl thrown carelessly around he
} graceful shoulders. Mrs C. has senatoria
> dignity enough to sustain dozen senators
At the next table, unmindful of breakfast
5 both reading newspapers, sit Mr. and MIR
Crittenden. Mrs Crittenden, no longe
young, will always be beautiful. Nothin,
can exceed her grace of manner. Whethe
e with her own pet friends from Kentucky, O
: rising from the table to greet Mrs Ge
e Banks, or thanking a servant for some sligh
d attention, Mrs Crittenden is never less tha
e lady. She looks nearly as handsome thi
r morning in plain costume, as she did las
night in the drawing room, in black velve
s and point lace. Mr. Crittenden still read
IS on, "compromise" written on every line of HI
o amiabie face. Gen and Mrs Banks sat ;
d the next table few mornings since Nj
IS Banks looked very sweet, rosy, and youthful
n But your old favorite, Republican, don't loo
Ar as well in military, as he did in civilian
in costume. Some say he don't seem comfort
lie in generals coat. But how grand
massive is the mans face and head.
I'd Here is another giant head, though
)r owner acts as if it aches. Ipresume it doe
la He played King Lear last night. Edw
lr Forrest eats his breakfast alone, eats it fifth
ly, as if he would rather not eat it. He pas
I'd es his hand over his forehead as if to allay
I'd pain. He glances at his paper, he looks