Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-02-11
Gossip from the National Capital.


Correspondence. of the State Journal. -
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29th, 1855.
Messrs Eaitor:-" Horrid cold weather ~.
"Nevsr saw ,ths like before In the Capital y
So says everybody. - ~
Nsysrthaless this has been and Is the gay
est season Washington has seen for many
year. Public balls and levees, private and
select, are the rage, keeping the initiated on
the 60 from Que weeks end to the other. At
the White House" Mrs. Lincoln gives an
afternoon reception once every week. Mrs.
Gov. Sprague. mes Kate Chase, also entertains
in like manner; Speaker .Colfax the same,
his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mathews, presiding.
Add to these regular levees, &C., which the
conventionslities of the seat of government
insist on, and any number of entertainments
of lesser fish, and you may approximate an
idea of the festivity which more than ever
before characterizes the " city of magnificent
distances" Point lace, diamonds, sc. &C.,
are paraded with a lavishness of display i'll
suited to the times. 1t is remarked by every
one conversant with society here in former
hours, that the extravaganza of this season,
in the way of dressing, &C., is unprecedented.
The petroleum and shoddy upstairs of the
country have gathered here to great extent,
and now may be seen men, who never heard of
Young, deeply interested in the political his
tory, and women with suspiciOusly calloused
hands, attempting to "lead the fashions" -
But, aside from these, true merit and worth
also find place and reward. The intellectual
appearance of the crowds that throng the
halls of the distinguished personages who
receive" is marked by every one as an i'm
provement. The great "lions " of the day
are of course the military heroes, who, es-
Gaping from their duties at the front, larry a
few days here while en- route for home on fur
loughs or leaves. Naval officers too put in
their claims, and are recognized. In short,
thee'' button and spur" take the lead, and
the "bonnie boys in blue " sail far ahead of
all civilian competitors.
E We have had an opera here which was
quite in keeping with the shOddy character
| of some of our g transients." For two
r nights they held forth at Growers, and with
: that class were very popular, when suddenly
some musical critic OF undeniable taste put
Il
ance as an imposition. Lo! the revulson of
feeling and opinion. 1t was moEstrous 81
said so, YOU know" was ON many lip. So,
on the third night, the doors OF the theatre
were closed against the opera company, and
| the money refunded TO ticket holders. For
D rest has been giving his stereotype rendition
, | o? Shakspeare's . heavy characters" To good
houses; but is not as popular as of old. Miss
Lucille Western, an actress of decided merit
and the greatest favorite here of all the num-
0 Der that visit US, is on the boards at Growers
| with East Lynne" and other sensational
pieces, in which she is " well up" as the pro-
iessionals say Saturday night, at FOrd's
| Theatre, "The Streets of New York +" was
played to an excellent house. 1t is having a
great "run" at Mrs. Woods in New York,
4 and those who had not been posted or expect
f ! ed something new, were somewhat astOnisl ed
8 TO find that il was nothing more than a re-
| modelled rendition of "Ihe Poor of New
York." which six years ago had such a success
: all over the North. 1t ouly differs in the re-
n spect that one new scene-the bootblack and
. | newsboy fght--has been interpOlated, and
the phrase . poor of New York" is often re-
e placed by " streets of New York" Wash
], ington theatres do not by far come up to the
e | expectation Of strangers. Their bills show
stars enough, and good ones too, but the
"stOck" is inferior, and aside from the
3 leading characters have seen great many
. | of the standard plays bottOr aOtod Madison
than here.
The Inauguratio1 Ball" is receiving all
due attention now IN the way of preparation
Representatives from different States have
held meetings and committees and sub-eOm-
mttees have done the same. IL is resolved to
, make it the grandest AFFAIR of the Kind ever
witnessed here. Expense and care will not be
npared a
, One of the greatest calamities that could
befall the nation occurred the other day in
the destruction by fire of a portion OF the
Smithsonian Institute and contents. Luckily,
, however, the first story of the building was
fire proof, and thereby many valuable speci-
| mems IF natural history and foreign curiosi-
ties were saved. The War 0fice, with all its
valuable records, had a narrow escape on
Saturday, and the greatest imaginable excite
ment prevailed for short time. a defective
lue allowed smoke to escape, and, filling the
upper portion of the building, led to the be-
lief that it was on fire. Ali sorts of reports
and rumors we're flying about and even for
hours after the canse for excitement had been
remedied, people were 20 be seen rushing up
the Avenue under the belief that rebel agents
had succeeded in destroying the Department
building. It was big scare, but proved to
be all smoke
| Wisconsin is well represented here in the
way of lobby Observation-Disclosures in par
ticular Quite a number from the "city of
bricks" interested in harbor matters and ma
val depot location, can be seen at the differ
ent hotels. Pump Carpenter is also here
whether with another carpet bag or not, this
deponent sayeth nix. Carl Schurz made his
appearance Saturday.
More anon. Z. PLURIBUs BARNUM.
GEN. THOMAS DECLINES TEsTNoNIAL-It