The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-07

when compared with that Of the other cities
of the world, has degenerated but little in the
| last five years. The greatest change for the
worse was wrought between the time OF the
| establishment of the Abnfederate seat Of
government here and the failure of the South
ern cause. The constant influx into Rich
mond, which seemed centre of attraction Of
all sorts Of people from all parts, and Of army
officers, of whom nobody knew anything
but by their grades and fine clothing, tended
naturally to make our social circles rather
promiscuous. At first, this social novelty was
rather pleasing, and nothing was asked OF the
character or whereabouts Of this or that new
conner but ere long "my handsome major"
or "my finely dressed captain was found
wanting in family name, fame, wealth, and
creed What a field did not the gossips Of
Richmond have Everywhere one went he
heard scandal of such and such a one. In the
parlors of Richmond ones ears were greeted
with new tales of social degeneration; and
even the soldier, on his return to camp from
home, canted TO his comrades upon the "awful
condition Of Richmond society" The conduct
of this or that one, whom everybody thought
before the war above such things, was held up
for universal reprobation. The gaities Of Rich
mond were spoken of as heartless in the
extreme, even by those who joined in them
The continuous feastings of bomb-proofs,
" stay lat homes,' and spectators, were COM
pared to the feast of Belshazzar, and Meme,
Meme, Tekel, Upharstn, was plainly repeated in
solemn and warning tones.
Like the rest, we fell into the habit of deplo-
ring the condition of our society, and to think
that the residents Of Richmond were the worst
people on the face of the earth But soon our
eyes were opened. The close of the war
| brought us communication with the "ciyil-
| ized'' world and gave to US "semi- barbara
ans an insight into it's social progress within
the last four years. Our opinion of ourselves
was certainly bettered by the sight; for, look
where we would, we could not but mark the
degeneracy and corruption existing in the
society of the world.
The corruption and reckless follies and
extravaganza of New York and Paris, and the
dark crimes of London, present picture by
the side of which the social indiscretions of the
| former Confederate capital are cast COM
pletely into the shade.
But TO come more to the point, let us view
/ the present state of Richmond society. After
the fall of the Confederacy, our city. like the
rest of her Southern sisters, presented scene
! of social chaos from which 1t took months 10
recover. Circles were completely broken up
by the departure of the many families who had
! taken refuge here from the invading armies,
or who had been called hither by official con.
nection with the Confederate Government,
and the influx of many who came to build for
tunes on the ruins of our cause rendered it
necessary to establish new order of society.
! To tended -
Friends and families who had lost sight of each
other in the confusion and trouble brought on
by the war were brought together at its close
by a common ruin. The inseparable bond Of
companionship existing between those who
returned from the war to take their accus-
toned places at the fireside served TO reunite
old family ties, or TO form new ones. Among
the young people a social feature was intro
duced. which has done much towards the
restoration of our society.
Dancing clubs, composed almost exclusively
of Richmond young people, were formed, each
of which holds meeting at the residence OF
some one of its members once q week, for social
enjoyment.
Thus have we arrived at semblance OF
social order. This order is new, however foI
although, as we have said, families have been
thrown together after long separation, they
do not reform old circles-they only help to
form new ones. The equality which was pro
duced by the ruinous results of the war has
admitted many into circles into which they
did not enter before the war. Ruin and
poverty, common alike to ALL have united and
strengthened our social bonds-so much so tha
Richmond society may bedeemed exclusive.
In conclusion, we feel that there is a tribute
due TO those members of our society, withou
whom it's existence would be impossible-w'
mean our women. Events have happened II
the last four years which have tested their for
titude, their love, and their tenderness ; ant
nobly have they stood the test. We need no
repeat the tales of the noble and selfsacrificin,
spirit with which they, in 1861, urged brothers
sons, and husbands, forth to battle, like tn
Spartan women Of old. These, and the recort
of the tenderness with which they nursed tn
wounded, and the nerve with which the
moved through the revolving scenes OF suffer
ing and death in crowded hospitals, will liy
forever in the memories of the soldiers OF tn
late war. OF late we have heard our wome
called "extravagant." Upon this point W
are prepared to defend them. The war, Wit
; the blockade rendered 1t necessary for on
ladies TO economise in the matter Of dress, an
it was not long before dresses and cloaks whic
had long laid on the shelf were brought dowi
and, with the aid of a few trimmings, mac
fashionable. The art which they then learne
comes well to them now. Many Of the dress
, which are now commented upon as costly
extravaganza, were shall we tell, ladies
, made long before the war was ever though
of, and many Of them have passed throug
more styles than one. Wespeak from persona
observation, and from what the ladies ha,
told us for they are not SO anxious to conce;
the fact from US as they are from each othe
. We were once, and that not long ago, OF u
opinion that our women aped northei
, fashions but that was because we didn't kno
any better. We were never more struck wit
our ignorance than at one of the large chops
given in the city during this winter, where v
saw two ladies dressed in the latest New Yol
styles. There was wide difference betwet
their appearance and that Of the ladies attire
according 10 the Richmond fashions; f
where, in the first place, there was elegant m