Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-03-03

large and lofty, nearly aslarge as the Athene-
um at Cleveland, and when lighted up is oil
abisze with mirrors red curtains, and gilt
paper Opening into it, on the North, is q
room which, / ianeied, when not occupied
must resemble good sized dining room at
a public house. Here, seated round A long
table running the whole length Of the room,
IS the celebrated Marine Band, some thirty
in number, all dressed in the gayest possible
scarlet Uniform, extravagantiy bcsmeared
with gold lace and gilt buttons. Here thew
discourse through the evening tumult Of
brass music, which no man Of taste wishes
TO hear except in the open air. After the
reception Of guests by the President, the
general promenade I, is the only business of
the. evening. There is no other performance
in the bills. A space in the center is kept
tor this purpose; or when the crowd is
large, the track the promenade is along
the sides Of the room. The company is di,
ylded into two classes, the spectacles and
the spectators. The ladies' who come to be
looked at aBd Of course to See others, ap-
pear in full dress, while those who choose
to be mere lockers on need make no such
preparation: / saw some standing in the
room with their hats on. On the last occa-
sion l am told there was an unusual display
VI idSutOuduiC uuu dIIiTc, on InE
part of both gentlemen and ladies' The
women with their flashing diamonds. and
the military men with their clinuuant trap
pings, the presence ofthose who have gath
cred laurels on the field of battle, or won
enduring fame as statesmen and legislators,
made it an exceedingly brilliant and inter-
esting assembly, and such a one as rarely
meets at any place in this country, except
in the East Room Of the White House. 1t
seems to be every woman's ambition nova
days to make it diamonds" These extrav.
agant jewels, worn in great profusion by
some ladies present, were objects of great
interest and much conversation. / often
heard such remarks as these: THAT wo-
man has got $4,000 worth of diamonds on
her person; and that wsman has $1,000
worth in her hair" About 10 O'Clock the
President and Mrs. Lincoln came into the
room and joined the promenaders Mr..
Lincoln was accompanied by large fine
looking lady. in low-necked black velvet
who moved with the state and dignity ofan
Empress, and had diamonds enough blazing
on her breast. TO set up German Duchy.
l asked gentleman present who she was,
and he said it was the Queen Sheba. re-
miaded him that the Queen of Sheba was
probably q colored woman, when he frankly
declared he knew nothing about the lady.
1t was very unfortunate contrast for the
Rail Splitter, for she quite oyershadowed
and eclipsed him. He does not light up
well under his own chandeliers. He looked
black and haggard, and had an air ofmeek-
ness and safety, quite unbecoming the oc-
casion and the company he was Keeping
He had not changed his gloves since he had
received his guests; and the right hand one
particularly, was literally black in parts,
with the labers of the evening. - ~
Mrs. Lincoln was attended by the Speak
er of the House of Representatives. Mr.
Colfax, by the way, is a handsome maD-
He has one Of those cheering faces and open
manly brows that political life does not al
ways ruin. He seemed quite at his ease,
and appeared to be, what he undoubtedlyis is
"a well bred and accomplished gentleman
Mrs. Lincoln attracted universal, and |
thought even scrutinizins attention There
were a number of very ine looking women
there; but she with her distinguished posi-
ton. and her very dignifed and handsome
appearance. was evidently the bright Hes
perus or star Of the evening. am told
that Mrs. Lincoln labors very assiduously
in the discharge of her responsibilities as
the wife of the Chief Magistrate of the ma
ton; that she is very jealous in maintaining
the proprieties of her position, and the good
reputation and general hospitalities of the
Executive mansion. She holds her weekly
matinee at present, every Saturday after
noon from one to three, at which time she
is quite accessible and agreeable to all who
choose to call upon her. She may not have
seen as much OF what the world calls good
society, or possess as many of its accom-
yIichmapta har ,radaoae.nr the w bifa
House, but she cannot be excelled in her
earnest efforts to render herself both agree
able and useful, to the constituents Of her
husband. or'I,'. 10y
Among the notables who were present on
this occasion, were the Secretary of State,
Secretary of War, and Secretary of the Ma
Wy, the Postmaster General and the Attor-
ney General The great cameralist, the
Secretary of the Treasury was not there
There were at leasta half a score of Brig
adler and Major Generals, among whom
were Casey, Heintzleman, Thomas, Schenek,
Dix, Washburn, Ramsey, &c. The English
and Russian Ministers were both present,
and seemed quite at homo in the crowd
Mr. Seward has changed good deal since
we saw him at Cleveland during the last
Presidential campaign. He looks old and
thin, thin in the legs, aud thin in the neck.
He has moribund and played out look.
quite significant Of closing career. -Wheth.
er it is caused by his quarterly anxiety, and
disappointment about the termination of
Of the rebellion, or whether 1t arises from
his mental efforts in laying the ghost offor
eign interference, or is owing to simple con-
sensscence, no body y,can-tell II Neither can
any one calculate whenjh he will retire from
active politicalllifa. His habits, his tastes,
and bis ambition will probably keep him on
his feet, till death taps him on the shoulder
and bids him come in and take, to his bed.
The politician pre7eninently. works his pas
sage TO distinction and grave. 6.auil
.Ah, few cant tell, how hard II !. t6icnb the sieep
Where Famss proud temple shines afar.''
That stout, burly looking Englishman,
who stands at the further end of the Ieeep,,
ton room, conversing with Fernando Wood
and his daughter, is Lord, Lyons. He is
heavy, abdominous. coarse shouldered man
with the color of his beef and -claret stick
ing ont all over his face aRd neck. and Civ
ing them quite choked and fiorid appear
ance. BE seems not at all llicourny or afabls,
and when in a state of repose looks sulleu
and ,glum. He reminded me Of q certain
ancient e. philosopher, who, from the pecu