Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-23
WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
The Brilliant Gaieties of the National
Capital.

1he brilliant Gatetfes OF the NatIOuhI
Capital.
From the National Intelligencer. Is.
The gay season, so brilliantly inaugu-
| rated by the festivities of New Years day,
has now commenced in good earnest, and
| balls, parties and receptions follow fast upon
each other, verifying the prediction that
the season of 1868 would eclipse all pre-
ceding ones in the splendor of its enter
| tainments. In no other city on this CONT
nent can there be found so great a gather
ing of distinguished men, whose reputation
is world wide, as can be found in Washing
ton at the present time, and certainly the
character of their entertainments is in
perfect keeping with the cultivated tastes
of those who give them. The society of
| Washington is distinguished for culture
and elegance, and the only passport re.
quired to gain admittance to the receptions
of the highest in the land is good breeding
| and due regard to the conventionalities
of dress and society.
The weekly evening receptions Of the ac
complished ladies of the Executive
Mansion, Mrs. Slower and Mrs. Patterson,
| are a prominent feature of Washington
society, and thronged as they are by the in
telligence, the beauty, and the elite of the
nation, they cannot fail to delight all who
attend. In this connection, we cannot re-
frain from commenting upon the marked
| improvement which has taken place since
| the war in the character ofthe crowd which
presents itself at the Executive Mansion on
reception nights. We no longer find un-
| couth Doors, with hair unkempt and care
less dress, elbowing their way through
crowds of richly dressed ladies to their
annoyance; but we meet instead an evil
dence of refinement in attire which would
reflect no discredit on the receptions of any
European court.
The reception Of the different Cabinet
| members and the levees of Speaker Colfax
and General Grant, we're never in higher
esteem than now, and the charming after
noon receptions by the ladies of our most
prominent citizens are fast growing in fa-
vor. They are, in fact, agreeable reunions,
where a pleasant hour can be spent, and
where one meets ones friends entirely un-
fettered by the restraints Of tedious for,
mality and oeremonious etiquette.
Several brilliant parties have already
taken place since the advent OF the new
year. The ball given by Mrs. James G.
Kennedy, on Wednesday night, the Sth,
was a most magnificent affair, TO which the
one given by Mrs. General Hunter on Fri
day night, the 10th, was in every respect a
charming counterpart. The floral dec0ra-
tons at Mrs. Kennedy's were especially
beautiful, and worthy of remark and the
genial refinement which distinguishes the
host and hostess of this one of our most
elegant mansions lent its charms 10 the eve-
ming.
The reception of Postmaster General and
Mrs. Randall, on Monday night, was one
of the most pleasant entertainments that
has been given this season. The rooms
we're thronged until late hour, and all
seemed TO leave with reluctance the scene
of so much enjoyment and genuine hos
pitality.
The first reception Of General and Mrs
Grant came off Wednesday night, and dur
ing the entire evening the brilliant psrlors
were crowded almost 10 Overlooking with
the beat classes of our citizens and all the
distinguished strangers now here.
The weekly reception of Mrs. Senator
Morgan, on Thursday, was also largely at
tended, and, assisted by her charming niece,
the estimable hostess extended to all cor
dial welcome. MFR. Morgans receptions
have always been extremely popular, and
certainly not without reason; for no lady
better understands the art Of entertaining
and il is an art-than the accomplished
lady of the Senator from New York.
The reception of Speaker Colfa1 last
evening presented a scene of unusual brill
liancy, and from halEpast eight o'clock
until late honr the spacious parlors of the
Speakers mansion were thronged with his
many friends and admirers, all DESTROYS Of
paying their respects to the presiding officer
Of the House of Representatives.