Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-12
Washington Society Changes thnt
Have been wrought by the var.
f the Journal of Commerce.

WAsHISeToS, February 90.
You wish me to give you some account ot my
impression To the changes wrought at the cap /
tal by the present civil war.
Ii is not easy, with certainty to determine how
far the N ny departures and variations dlscernl-
BILE after IA long absence may be attributed 10 the
cause you mention; although there is no trouble
in detecting ia almost everything differences
from what existed when | visited the capital
many wears since.
During INV present sojourn here. | have en-
loved frequent opportunities for observation, and
nothing impresses one more than the changes
which have been wrought in Washington society.
The infusion of particular portion OF Northern
aud western elements has tended To vary rather
than TO improve the character Of those social
gatherings from which one is prone TO judge OF
the character of people.
Washington was formerly much more Partisan
than az present-not in It's costumes. for "a great
extrava sance IN attire prevails perhaps at any
former period-but there is less OF genuine
taste. and OF that simple elegance of manner aud
dress which Indicate refinement, it not afiordng
evidences of wealth
Formerly there existed an unsua charm ia the
frank and polished ease of manner which seemed
u pervade society here. and which rendered II SO
attractive To soiournerS from all parts OF the
world. This, to great extent, has departed. and
doubtless in part to the fact of many persons
being brought here, and into position. by those
suddenly acquired gains which may add to the
briiliancv OF dress, but cannot contribute intel
lectual gifts or endow with social graccs. The
consequence is considerable degree Of show
and display with that coldness of manner natural
to persons who have not enjoyed those advanta-
ges which inspire confidence, corciaty and ease
IL is state of society more easily realized than
described and extends as well TO one sex to
the other
do not mean that there not MANY persons
resident here who would lend charm TO s0ciety
anywhere, but tie number of which is not pro-
portionately as great as formerly. and l.. in
large company, ouinumbered by different
class as to dyest w Washington society OF what was
once its peculiar distinction MANY persons
tnue 10 make this city their residence whose
families for many years have been conspicuous
tor their high standing, morally, socially and in
tellectualiy, and TO these a few have been added
who will in measure compensate for the losses
occasioned by time and the present revolution,
but they not in proportion To the new corners
/ OF a different character who met in assemblies
( OF Washington society. ! do not allnde TO the
weekly gatherings Mt the Presidents which have
become ordinary that refined persons seldom
appear there more than once in a season, and
/ then for few moments sacrifice which l.
deemed necessary as respect 20 the Chief Ma
! gistrate or indicative of principles of loyalty
, To the government and friendship To the admin
istraion
Here the change is more evident perhaps, than
/ in any other place. The gay, elastic. intelligent
+ aud intellectual assemblages which YOU and l. IN
our earlier DAYS, went 10 the drawing room" 10
enjoy are, fear to be altogether ahiirs of the
, past. | DO not see how the character of these
/ gatherings is now ever 10 be changed, unless in
/ their disuse FOR time, and their re-establish
ment upon some new principle which >hall rem
der them at least pasSable. is not attractive,
/ TO persons of cultivated manners and refined
/ tastes
The character OF the man and woman who pre-
side over the Executive Mansion will, of course,
/ 10 great extent, influence the style Of visitors
who frequent their receptions; but, having a.
sumed different aspect from what they
( presented within very few years, fear il
will not be easy matter 10 restore these
"levees. they now termed. TO a moderate
degree of respectability and | imagine few
years will witness their abatement Even for
eign society here has undergone a great change
recently. and the capital has lost, in this respect
some of It's most attractive ornaments. The
charming family of the Prussian Minister. -
popular, so refined and good. are IN Europe
their absence great loss 70 the society Of the
citv and TO those visitors who enjoyed their pro-
verbal hospitality. The family OF the Brazilian
Minister. less known 10 our people EeutFd1Il De-
cause of more recent residence, have gone tC
. Eurote preparatory 10 years sojourn IN Brazil
much to the regret of their American friend:
. aud to the sorrow of their associates diplomatic
The French Minister AMI bis wife are also absent
so that in consideration OF the number of bache
lorS who form most of the other members OF the
diplomatic corps, the absence OF those mentioned
. creates wide vacuum among the most clever
people of the city. Stocekl fills popularity anC
gracefully the place of our good old friend Bod
: isco. The Danish Minister hiss not the heart {,
bring his wife here. ! am informed. So h,
makes New York his place OF residence. The
bachelor Minister of Spain did all single maj
could do. last week, TO make up for the abSenc'
! of so many of those who have been accustomed
each winter 10 add TO the pleasures OF social IN
tercourse. and Lord LYONS contributes, to 4 mod
crate extent. in the way OF attractive dinners L
I his friends. male and female; but bachelor cal
( never renew the attractions Of the British Lega-
: ton under Lord add Lady Napier.
: Ii anything could compensate for the Sbsenc
, of MANY of the ornaments of society here. IL .
the presence of Mada me Borreda. the wife Of tn
Peruvian Minister moiel of female lovelness
We're Raphael here. he would steal copy of he
features so expressive of beauty and benevolence
for a Madonna Her whole private characte
? seems in unison with her manner and appearance
She is a native Of Seville. in Spain. aud il he
: native country produces many such females, !
must be blessed far beyond any other portion o
{ Europe
Apart from the entertainments of these digni
tsries and limited circle outside, there has per