The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-03-18
Washing,onl: its sociai Lite.

IS WashfDgt0At: ite Social Lite. i.
TEE PAST, TEE pREsEsr, THE POSSIBLE.
Another weak VIII bring the close Of
sdvent Of lent. The church and political
calendars arein fortunate social conjunc-
ton, this year. February is thus = carni-
val month socially in Washington. Never,
was the National Capitol moro distract
ingly gay..se TheAters, operas, concerts,
present unparalleled attractions. Semi.
public receptions and private balls crowd
the weel:s--nay, overlap the nights. Din
ner parties, presidential, ministerial, Dip
l0n,atic, senatorial, geontractorial-dowp
the official scale indefinitely, Law constant
iseige to stomachs and brains. The war no
longer embargoes social gaiety-the prog
rees OF victory, prospect peace, the rath.
or give added zest to its complacencies; as
its speculahons stuff the butler, and make
the tsiior aaesk and smooth, and the milt-
ner glowing aud gorgeous. The new social
life Of Washington passes fast to its glitter
iug pe1ihelion ;--it will soon begin to
broaden and mellow in Its relations and
characters; 20 be more graceful with man
ners;s more eiNgans in its hospitality; /;
more moral in i.s tastes; more ;ntellectu-
al and spiritual in it's influences.
q Before the rebellion, Washington social
life was southern in its characteristics and
-
political interest. Most Of the prominent
permansns -esideEt were of Virginia and
Maryland. Rlch southern senator's and
Representatives were glad to exchange
their barren country homes for the broad.
or and fuller social contact of the capital.
Many Of these people had culture they
were generous ia their hospitality I; they
lad q peculiar elegance and grace and fas-
cinationFin their social manners. Through
this-in the absence Of cOunteracting
northern infuences-they gave form and
fashion TO Washington society; and they
confirmed and strengthened their political
power. Washington, in weakness and
strength-sn slovenliness and unthrift, in
generous tables, in beautiful, bright wo-
men, in chivRlric hammered men-was PEE
culi&rly southern. The political revolu-
ton, followed by the rebellion, made sud-
den havoc with the material Of all this.
The first families of the South retired over
the border, or went into spiteful privacy
The northern barbarians came on in an
avalanche Of soldiers and contractors
eager for glory. lastfu! for money. There
was no time or thought for the graces Of
social life. A country was to be saved-a
treasury was to be robbed. There was La
tnentation over the despoliation. The Dip
lomatic circles, that could not fly, were in
mourning for the departed dinners, the ell
egant parties, the dear friends Of the South.
Their solace was mutual sympathy, an oc-
casional English nob!eman In search of
adventure, and frequent visits 10, Fifth
avenue, the New York hotel, and the
Clarendon. The White House was peo.
pied by ti1ose- who did not care for fine
manners or did not know what they were,
Cabinet ministers We're too busy organi-
ling government, and restoring nation.
to give din ners, TO hold receptions, to cul-
tivate the graces. The city was q vast
camp: Soldieraswaymed, contractors Con-
spired, The coayser passions of man were
reigned. The finer Clements OF life were
thrust into the background, or were alb
sorbed ia their coarser outward work Of
force, or found sweet exercise in sOlacing
sick and wounded in hospitals. There
was no s'society" per sc, but Of the coarser
and more vulgar character, seeking
through Its indulgences selfish ends. This
was sad. bat natural and inevitable. It
was the first stage Of revolution. It whs
not tho fruit or the Il over Of northern ciyil-
ization. and those WHO thought and said It
was knew little Of the northern character
and life. is@ s}sy Assss,
Now begins to appear, however, in
Washington the capacity oiethe North for
social Reorganization and life. Tho new
Washington suggests ITSELF The national
capital has never had such elegant draw
ing rooms as Northern men are now be-
ginning 10 present there. Real estate has
moro than doubled in price. New stores
and dwellings are sprinEing up on every
band. The fact OF Slavery is gone -itsI
ideas and its results are passing away
The social entertainments Of this season
are more numerous and more elegant, IS
character than were ever given before in
the White House and at tho residence of]
[anaakar Collar. have bean naturallv the