Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-10
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
The Presidential LevesB-HOW the
Diplomatic Corps was Reeeived-HOW
the Pubhe TANNED aDdBqueezed ana
the ladies Painted.
WAsHNeroN. Jan. 5. Is64.


EDITOR LEADER The annual recur-
renee of the New Year at the Capital,
brings with it ceremonial Observance
by the different nationality here represent
ed,thst is probably more prolific in inter
est to strangers and temporary sojourners,
than in any other part of the country.
The Levees at the White House. on
such occasion, present q rars opportunity
Of witnessing congregation Of the re-
presentatives Of Royalty, from all the
courts of Europe.
The regulations prescribed the hours Of
reception, on Monday, for the Diplomatic
Corps, from II TO l23 o'clock, for Army
and Navy officers, Cabinet Ministers &c,
from 123 to l o'clock, and from l to 3
o'clock for the public. n
Previous to one o'clock all the avenues
to the White House were closed to out
siders, and the entrances guarded by sol
diers admitting only such as were included
in the regulations. A few minutes before
twelve, the carriages of the foreign Minis
ters, with their servants in livery, COM
menced to arrive, numbering with the a.
taches and secretaries, about forty.
The Court dress worn generally by the
Ambassadors consisted of fine Nankin col
ored pants, with stripe of darker shade,
dress coat of dark blue or clRret, with broad
coat tails, and high standing collars, en-
broidered with wide gold lace, and chspeau
with gilt cocksde, trimmed with gold
lace, and in some instances wearing a dress
sword. The Secretaries and attaches were
sttired in plain black with white vests.
So far as my observation extended, with
three or four exceptions, there was a de-
cided lack Of that "presence" which we
generally expect to see in the representa-
tives of the European Dynasties.
The Army and Navy, from Lieutenants
to Generals, were numerously represented,
and to those anxious to know little aud
big great men, favorable opportunity
was presented.
The leeves on such occasions at the
White House present the appearance of
an indiscriminate mass of moving human
ity, and is strongly suggestive of a threshing
machine, where the sheaf goes in at one
end and comes out at the other, complete
ly threshed, only in this instance the
squeezing process is substituted. At one
o'clock the masses commenced sWarming
in like bees, and until three o'clock there
was but little cessation. Several ladies
tainted from the heat and excitement in
cident to the pressure of the crowd. a
more motley throng WAS scarcely conceiV-
able; the sable African iostled 8 State
| dignitsry-the woman in calico brushed
by the lady in silks snd diamonds-the
gay spendthrift ard the sober youth
moved with the tide, while gilded vice
and morality walked side by side. The
President received all with the same frank
ness and pleasant smile, standing for two
mortal hours, with his arms in constant
motion, inwardly amused, no doubt, often
times, at the many awkward attempts at
politeness such occasions engender.
The Postmaster General, the Secretaries
of War and the Treasury, and several
Senators, held levees, which were numer-
ously attended. This day was beautiful,
the cold having greatly moderated, and
for wonder, General Intoxiestion had q
much smaller army on duty than usual in
this city.
Congress conYenes again tomorrow
pursuant to adjournment, and the holidays
over we may now look for earnest legisls-
| ton JUETUs.