Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-02
WASHINGTON s0C1ETY-cHANGEs WROUGHT
BY TIE WAR.

losrfsspondence OF the journal Of Commercs.
gss WAsHIscrox, Feb. rs.
You wish me to give you some account Of MI impress.
Mons to the changes wrought at the capital by the
present civil war.
is no. ST. with certainty to determine how far the
many departures and variations dscernble after long
absence may be attributed TO the cause you MENTION
although there is troubls In detecting in almost
everything diff rences from what existed when visited
the capital MANY years since.
During my present short scjourn here have enjoyed
Quent opportunities for observation and nothing
mpress ooe more than the changes which have been
wrought in Washington society. The infusion OF par.
tcular portion of Northern and Western element has
tended TO vary rather than TO improve the character OF
these social gatherings from which ore Is prone to
Judge of the character of people.
Washington was formerly much more Parisan than
at presentnot in its c0,tumes for as great extraVa-
gance in attire prevails perhaps as at any former pc
riod-5ut there Is less of genuine TASTE aud of that
simple elegance Of and dress which indicates
refinement If not sffording evdecce of wealth.
Formerly thers existed uausual charm in the frank
and polished ease OF which seemed to pervads
society here and which rendered 30 attractive to 80
ourners from all parts of the world This TO great
extent has departed aud its place Is occupied by stiff
formaty owing doubtless in part 10 the fact Of mary
persons row being brought here and into position by
those suddenly acquired gains which may add to the
briancy Of Dress but cannot contribute intellectual
gifts or endoa with social grsces. The consequences
Is considerable degree oil show and display, with that
GOODNESS of natural to persons who have not
epjoyed those advantages which inspire confidence,
cordiay and ease 1t is state sooiety more easily
real I'd than described, and extends well TO sex
AZ 20 the other do not that there not many
parsons resident here who would lend charm to So
ciety anywhere, but the numbersof which is not pro-
portonay great formerly, and is in large COM
pany 6 outnumbered by different clas5 as to dvest
Waship gon society of what once its peculiar
IN Ia
oity their residence whose families for many years
have been conspicuous for their high standing, morally,
socially and intellectually and to these few have been
added, who will 10 measure compensate Tor the losses
occasioned by time and the present revolution but they
not in proportion to the new corners OF different
character who are met In assemblies Of Washington
society do not aude to the weekly gatherings at the
Presidents which have become ordinary that refined
persons seldom appsar there more than once in eea
son, and then for 4 few moments-a sacrifice which Is
deemed necessary respsct to the Chief Magistrate
or as Indicative OF principles of loyalty to the govern
ment and friendship to the administration.
Here the change is more evident, perhaps, than in
any other place. The gay elastic, intelligent and in.
elleciua asaembages, which you and |, in earlier
days. went to the drawing ROOM 70 enjoy, are, fear
to be altogether AT ,irs Of the past. do not how
the character OF these gatherings Is now ever to be
changed, unless in their dsuse for time, and their
re establishment upon come new principle which thall
render them at least passa5le II not attractive to per-
sons of cultivated manners and refined tastes.
The character of the maa and woman who preside
over the Elk scutive Mansion will of course to great
exent ilfaeree the style OF visitors who fro lent
their receptions; but having assumed 80 different
sspec from what they presented within even very few
years fear il will not DO an easy matter to restore
tn $50 "leyees" as they termed, 10 moderate
degree OF responsibility, and imagine few years will
witness their Abatement Even foreign civ here has
undergone great change recently and the capital has
lost in this respect some OF its mos! attractive
menis The charming family Of the Prussian Minister
so popular, 50 refaed and good, are IN Europe heir
absence great loss to the society of the city, AID
those visitors who enjoyed their prover0al hospitality.
The family of the Brzllian Minister, less known 20
our people generally because of more recent residence
have gone TO Europe preparatory to years
soiourn in Brazil, much 20 the regret OF their
American friends and to tn, sorrow Of their associates
Diplomatic The French Minister and bis wife are also
absent: so that in consideration of the number OF
bachelors who form most Of the other members Of the
diplomatic corp, the absence OF those mentioned
ates wide vacuum among the mes clever people OF
the city. S.oeck fills populariy and gracefully the
placs of our good old friend Bodisco. Tie Danish Min
lister has not the hears to bring his vile here am
informed so he makes New York bis pl, ce of res-
dence Tho bachelor Minister of Spain did oil single
man could do last week. 10 make up for The abse Of
no many of those who have been accustomed each wiG
ter 10 add to the PLEASURES of social intercourse and
way of attractive dinners 10 his friends, male and fe
male; but q bachelor renew the attractions
of the British Legation under Lord and Lady Napier
If anything could compensate for the absence of
many of the ornaments TO society here IL is the pres
ence of hudame Borreda, the wife Of the Peruvian
Minister, model of female loneliness. Were Raphael
here be would steal copy Of her features express
sive Of beauty and benevclence, for Madonna. Her
whole private character seems in unison with her man
ner and appearance She is native of Seville, in
Spain and II her native country produces many such
females it must be blessed beyond any other portion
Of Europe.
Apart from the entertainments of these digntaries
and limited circle outside these has pervaded of late
custom connected with sociaities illustrative Of the
fallen tastes Of the people, and that s tie publ alton
In detail of Che character and styles Of the dresses of
the female guests prurent habit, ono Indicative OF
declining state of morals.
Ii would seem rs If the wealthy and aristocraic
entertainer judg bis company incomplete without the
pre- OF reporter to descaut upon the magnifcence
of his CUES g. costumes Its to be hoped that check
may be put upon practice SO subversve of modesty
soiucentive display lis than the jester or
harlequin of ancestors for they contributed to the
mirh Of the guests while the reporter puts modesty
and deicaay 10 the blush.
When was here many years since, 90 sensitive were
the people to such publicity that during certain series
OF subscription balls, or assemblies, one of the cub
scrbers discovered to descanted the dress and
rcr6onal appearance OF certain private ndiVduag IN
letter to the New York Philadelphia press and so
incensed the company thai the managers returned
his subscription and he requested to surrender bis
admission cket That man is now one of our diploma.
tic representatives. in Europe. No wonder that it has
become popular aud proper to describe ladies' apparel
at private parties. Who knows bu, preferment will
follow similar impe,tinenoes
But have into moralzrg, in place Of replying
to your questions. sm happy to recognize yet here
many old and valuable friends whose ability, expert
ence and excellence would make them priced in any
Here yet reside Bache, To en-, Henry, |
Wilkes, and that Prince of the Press Ssaton. Blir
seems vigorous and heat with in the Cabinet
and another with military aures in C,ngres. Rev.
erdy Johnson, too redes here-now no longer youth
full Pleasanton is represented in his son. the General
Gal % left children. Force sits month after month
among his musy valuable books, over which as he