The New York herald., 1868-02-03
GOSSIP AT TuE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.

Festivilics-A Lock IntO tho Card Bmskets-
society asd tho Way IL Is Mixcd-IdiotIc
~ApinG 81 Fashiea aad Folly-Grant's s'Un.
steady" Man@nvrcs-Bnticr ON tho War
Path Again. ..s
wAsmNcros. Feb 1, lSSa.
The approach Of Dickens 10 the capital which, In his
Amencan Notos" he pleased to ridicule, has been
heraided with the usual accompaniment Of rumors Al
1rst We wero told that he TO d0micle during his
stay with Nj Philip, = respectable and prosperous
satoner hero Of the English persuasion. Subsequently
IL affirmed that would be the guest of Senator
Sumner-an arrangement that could only be aocouAsed
for upon tho similarity Of their social conditions Sum-
nor being the Chairman Of tho Committee Foreign
Relations. II was deemed appropriate that he
should entertain the prince Of Enish novslists ths
absence Of Mrs. Sumner, by mutual consent anordnG
striking coincidence IN the experience Of Mr. Dickens.
Latterly. however. it has been settled that he is -
rendezvous at Wslkers asma but fashionable and
pensve hotel tho European plan the greater portion
OF which be will monopolixe for himself and Attendants
while his distinguished countryman, Mr. Thorntou, the
British Minister, occupies his unpretending apartment
st tue Ebbsst House. and dimes with the public. The
Dickens readings will probably DO we'll attended.
though the agent still advertises few good seats
does also respectable pawnbroker who probably holds
them in trust for one OF his speculating Dephews.
We have had week or two or rivalry IN theatrical
attractions, which has somewhat improved their
quality. "The Grand Duchess OF Gerolsten" has had
fair at the Natonal while the walaok and DAven-
port combination have mOnopolizod Walls Opera House,
with mod crate success.
For some unaccountablo Congress has no pas
sion for the theatre Il doats upon circus while it
turns away from the opera and the drama only
account for this in wayths circus sends oompli-
mentary tickets--a trick that Spalding Rapey and
their rivals the WY have not learned. II is
drama the richer tor Congress They have
tried white crook nor black ewan or whatever thsir
dsapery line Is supplied they will coutnue TO suffer-
'Homes Tor tue Million has boon popular and. 70
some sasacous politicians profitable suggestion bat
least in originality. Now York paper demands
"nomes for Congressmen y proposes that sae gov.
days-sbai supply each member with furnished m1n-
sion after the fashion Of religious denominations thai
induce menibers to bring their families and re-
side with them a: the capital during their
tuous aud becoming manner. To accustomed TO
lie IN Washington IL easy TO foTesee that this
tengive government parish would be costly and il is
questionable whether IL would remunerative in its
moral results u the extent imagined by the sanguno
originator Of the plan. Congressman arc somo.hat
prefer 70 have families remain at home that thcy
may better enjoy their freedom here; for in
spocs Washington is free and easy place, and never
more 20 tnan whon congress ~ IN session. a lavorne
mode OF e for the bachelors and temporarily cmaDci.
rst class hotel restaurant Tor the sustorance that s
essential 10 the proximity OF soui and body Nothing
can exceed this Tor comfort aud convenience, nor Is
there anything to interupt tho enJoymen save an oc-
casona angry reonstrsnce from too proprt tor OF the
apartments against some curious discoveries that are
calculated to srandaliLe the establishment.
Now, at the irst glance IL looks ss though the Con-
gressoual parsonage plan would work badly, because
tee houoraDlcs would bo just ikcly to Icaye
wives homo now. and II the government nad aay-
thing like the trouble with the gay dwelers in itg
sts,elv mansions az the iessees OF Respectable apart
da 1 wnuti Iay0 In oyptan unhe
writer's Illumination as profitable way OF disposng
Of property, without the usual loss which occurs 10
that excellent class Of beuefactora II Parson Beechor
will come 10 Washington and remain week no VII ho
satisfied TO 90 home aud let the parsonage business
alone.
Tho reception season at Washington Ia progressing
with moro than ordinary vgor aud gayety. The FASH
onabis people ndeatgaDe IN their devotion TO tho
festivities and tho result is that the daS and
evening lcvees with few exceptions, throngod and
is noticeable, TOO that thore is shade less Of ue
last winters excius.veness, Then il quite a condc-
scsnsiou devoee OF ths Congressional policy lie
seen at the Executive hand shaking Now is
thing 10 see . boyy Of radiant radicals patroliing
the Ess. Room by the hour, looking
comfortable and complacsnt as though the
senate had suspended Andrew johnson by
the power Of Impeachment, and ''good old Benny
Wade dealing out patronage and profanity as only
that sanity soul could For another symptom Of COZ
mistress General after one OF her afternoon drawing
Here we end ,he names OF iirs Senator Cragin
Blanche Butler. Recalling the experience or year
ago tho contrast 10 ncomprshengbis nasmuch there
n abatement
dofatgable in It's pursuit. Of aggravang Causes II can
only accounted for upon the theory that the ladies
viii have their way social matters and this sagacious
and suggestive conclusion provokes single comment
upon society at the capital.
'poIitics make strange bedlcilows" This l. settled
ayioui and Il no less truism that social reRuls-
tous productive OF an equally mysterious congiom
srasion-a fact which propose 10 demonstrate oy
other glance inlo tho card basket Let Il be costly
enc that srsces the table VI the lady OF Of the
sccretass Toss them over caroessy and there s shs
came OF the wife OF sa admiral, mere ,hs card oi
dnva n kpu of gtaf IN
from The wte OF tilted aubassador, aud underneath
are inpumersbls ns Senators and MAJOR Generals.
searen again and you nnd the unpretending OF
Mrs Jones and Miss Jesnnie and Ms Gsorg Jones
You ask who they are. Excellent people rhe mother
lets and the daughters have places in the depart
men, ov which the husband OF their prosdes
They quarters SALARY for reception dcsses
and certified tner indifference expense by bowling ap
10 tho stately in close carnage. At tho
INK lovses Ne have still more striking eremplihoaton
OF social mystery OF the nocturnal psr,usrship
these througed with clerks and clsrkesses, with
The smmer Of legs aud the ougss Of trails the clerks
will readily be recognised The with the aisnu
ated bifrCstonsl, and IL Is not uncommon thing for
four story boarding house to turn masse
nopoz ng street car NJ 6rst and subsequently the Rod
Room OF ilAe Waits House Ssuher is ID 3 rare clrcum-
s,snce on these occasons- proper enough il il Is
agreeable 10 all concerned~hsn senator or Congress
piau The m'dss OF ssy and fascinating throng 70
rvnt tha lady who seasoned the tor hs dinner
and -ho spite Of the fatigue incdsnt TO The arbitrary
demands o; society, will superintend tho clearing
no law . society n Washington indifferent 20 all
RESTRAINTS not even excepting those which poverty and
prospsriy mpcse mere y no Jaw sgainst 'ncooApte-
hsnrhle folly and an ldlotc aping Of fashion aud er
tYa,agance. II we're wall II there WAS and " would
avail 10 the aesera welfare hen the scsumuated
plans for sbollshinE tho Presidentis orce end the
supreme Cours and placing Gspersi Grsns where he
caud have increased facilities for proving his breed Of
dogs and the govsrumsnt machinery ny tbs
power
Talklng of Grant, The stories OF the Aaii..Vcavry
Hdndard asd New York ioep,rf~pt shout nj. ,cciai
habits and certain alleged 'upstssdy'i exhibition 10
tbe public sreAN, have oecastonsd quite here
The same sublsrt had bean taxed Of
privately b1t iM introduction into. PRINT has startled
the Wsshinyion community. am informed thst Bea
Butler Is on the var path again and that be actually
engaged in gathering anidsvits relative 70 Grants before
mentioned alleged unsteady exhibitions rhls bot
tied up general viii insst upon beng unoors cd a.
distant day, and there VIII be great explosion whcn
thai sfsnt takes place. Wour II W funny sud YOU