The New York herald., 1868-08-19
MRS. SIMEON LELAyD,S RECEPTION.

The words that form the heading will touch many
pleasant chord and revive many pleasant thought
In the breasts Of those who spent last evening In the
parlors Of Castle View, the residence OF Simeon
Leland, at New Rochelle. The hospital1ties Of the
family which bears the name Of Leland are famous
under informal circumstances. No 1.-THE of cor
diality lacking even when that hospitality was
dispensed under the more formal guise Of recep-
ton. "Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Leland request the
pleasure Of your company on Tuesday evening,
August 49," said the invitation. The words were
but brief promise OF what the evening brought
FORTH The reception was hearty, genial, cordial
one 1t was welcome Of the warmest kind to all
who accepted.
Is no mere castle In name 1t Is vertable castle,
such as the Leland clansmen did they ever have
enemies enough to make such an alternative neces
sary, might smut themselves up In and defy the worst
assault OF foemen. battery OF artillery might rat
tie cannon balls harmlessly against its walls, which
are OF sturdy masonry, several feet thick. 1t has
towers. pretty ones too and postern, but no don
lin keep except such as Simeon detains his friends
with In the shape OF hospitality.
THE RECEPTION.
The company began assembling last evening soon
after eight O'Clock. when the carriages rolled In
through the great gates, with their pair Of
lions keeping watch upon all passsrs, and and
main hall. The arrivals increased with the flight OF
the hours, and at midnight an elegantly dressed
castle in a ceaseless whirl. The crowd filled the
main saloon, respondent in its rich tapestry and
costly ornamentation; 1t eddied into the anerooms
and settled down in groups OF two and four to
euchre and whist; 10 mounted the turrets OF the
square tower, the round tower and the octagon,
and peered through the windows and loophoes out
upon the dark landscape or upon the waters OF the
Sound where little starlike lights indicated the ship
ping; IT moved from out the doorways into the
chillier atmosphere 10 see
TIE GROUNDS,
gorgeous in an incantation scene Of Chinese Ian
terms swinging from tree and statue, and following
In their lines the cnrvaures OF the gravelled road
ways It inspected the stables at least the male por-
ton did with their picturesque architecture and
stained glass windows Luxurious animals they are
that live within admired the beautiful horses stand
ing in their post-andball stalls, praised smeon's
four-in-hand drag (Simeon can even drive six In
hand) aud envied Mrs. Leland her vicoria II turned
~ view the castle illuminated from base to top with
gay forms now and then shading the lights or ap-
pearng at the open windows and making won
drous picture OF beauty against the cold, dark sky
II returned within and mounted TO
THE PICTURE GALLERY,
with It's gems Of the painters art encased In their
frames OF gold get or by the dark crimson OF the
walls; 1t sauntered into the dining room, where a
ta0ie d'h6te was Kept all night and where the appe-
tte and eye were pleased-the one with the choicest
OF the Metropolitan cuisine and the other with the
rare taste eyinced in making the apartment Of
luxurious pleasure TO the sight well; IL readused
its attire and took another glance before the mirrors
in the eaborately furnished chambers OF the second
story; II even strolled into the nursery where the
maids playing with the youngest scions OF tile
castle; 1t pr0menaded IL talked II chatted; II dance
to the music OF the band OF regulars from the gari-
son az Governors Island; 1t galoped around the
room IN terpsichorean whlrlpools that revOlved
within the Gordon or prOmenaders; II was happy.
TIE HOSTESS
The central figure all was the charming hostess
OF the occasion, Mrs. Leland who welcomed her
guests with true aiTabity. Richly but unOstenta-
tiously dressed and surrounded by the younger Of
OF her children, who clung 10 her side during the i'm
posing ceremonies OF reception, the hostess all
The more admirable In her character OF matron She
looked like that matron Of history, who boasted the
true Jewels OF the mother.
THE GUESTS.
The clusters OF brilliant gas Jets shown down on
roody gathering OF 'flir women and brave MEM
no mere quotation on the words The mill.
General Dandy, Colonel Rankin and Colonel Pearson
formed q contrast to the black frocks OF Recorder
Hackett, Count Fitch master Of ceremonies, by
the wayl, Charles i. Wood and Judge Green. The
navy was represented by the veteran Paymaster
Irving. The cloth was represented by Rev. Father
shay President Of ST. Johns College, and Rev. Dr.
Morgan and Rev. Father Mclaughlin, OF New Ro-
chello Medicine was represented by DR.. f. X.
Chaplin, Dr. Sayre Dr. Baldwin and DIR. nelmbod.
Education and the public at large sent Hosea Il.
Perkins, Philip s. Van Rensselaer, and Samuel X.
by General Gideon ]. Pillow.
Those who did not come and who sent regrets
were General Grant, Secretary OF War schohed
Register Of the Treasury spinner aud dozen other
notabes.
NO POLITICS.
Despite the numbers assembled, politics were mol
brought upon the tdpis. The great politicians re-
manned away. They were at Long Branch and sara
oga and were either not invited or were among those
that sent regrets" People promenaded, danced,
supped ard chatted all night. They are doing sc
DOW as these lines go into type and VIII until the
dawn aud the New Haven 'owl' train arrive at New
RDchplla-