Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-05-12
Fashiona Bile Life In Washington City.
The Ladies OF the White House.

Look a, the ladies OF the White House.
They are condemned TO -four years i'm.
pnsonment. During all ,ha, time they
must no, pay VISIT or attend an evening
entertainment. Miss Lane occasionally
wen, oul 10 ball or party. but very sell
dom; Mrs Lincoln never; and II has
gradually come TO be considered uhdignl.
fed Tor 1.-THE first ladies IN the land 10
mingle freely in the gayelies OF the 'es'
son. Then, ss Tor visiting at hcme,
twice a week they must stand up and 70.
ceive for many hours the herds That lock
10 see them. mostly from The meresi Gu
rosty, while at all times they are liable
To the visits Oi the lmpOrlunsie or Imper-
linen, people, who will in,ruds upon
their privacy. The very house they live
in is not their own: il is q "lurnist cd
house" of The usual deception. without
comforts, dresry, dirty, and just tDow di-
lapidaled. II perchance any member OF
the family appears at window. 'htre
are eager eyes TO watch every movement.
and perhaps q scri' bi er TO chronicle Tho
operations OF the toilette, as MIR. Willis
did for Mrs Lincoln. The grounds
around The house llself are not m1re ss-
cred. The ladies como, take a step out.
side without being watched. and every
feature noticed by people who expec, To
see something very ex'rsordnsry IN Tho
appearance of those temporarily "wear.
ing the purple" "If,' one OF tie ladies
said to me The other day. u could ONLY
walk about q little with my children
sometimes IN The grounds without being
stared at, and really enjoy the comforts
Of an old dress and a hide privacy. Il
would be very pleasant" And II bev
go out to drive or enter shop. mods snd
muuered words indicate that hey sro
The conserved Of all observers" Mrs.
Patterson has TWO lirtIe ones, and Mrs.
Slower three bugh, eyed, ret, children,
no doubtless make these cbesrless walls
ring with their gay laughter end merry
shouts.
The ladies Of The Csbine, suffer in
less degree than those Of the Wans
House. They visit and GO out as much
as they please-indeed with them sn
enormous amount OF visiting becomes a
positive affection. Daily they are mon.
dated with cards. Every week at their
receptions Strangers are presented, and
all these people must be called rpon.
met one OF The cabinet ladies' the olher
day at WLIard's Hotel. II sm here"
said she, "for The purpose Of leaving six-
ty cards" ] was somewhat appalled, st
the number, and then went on TO ask II
nigh, inquire how large was her sisiing
lisi There are over 500 Dsmes on
H." shrsnk in some horror from This
specimen Of The "dUiies OF offise." So
much is required Of ihem. TOO. no, on.
ly musi these visits be returned. bni an
enorDOus amount Of entertaining aust be3
done. There musI be Two receptions .
ueek-one dsy and one foil evening.
dress affair. Then there must be Innu.
mersble dinners. 'uppers and small con.
panies Besides all his. they must all
go al least once TO each OF the receptions
and balls given by other members Of The
cabinet and Senate. You may then form
some idea Of The onerous character Of this
"gayeiy." All day visilinR-sll evening
going from one house 10 another. No
wonder they look jsded and worn.-
Harrington Correspondent Of the Nsv
York Times.