The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-02-24
LADIES, READaNG4.
High Life in Washington City
Brilliant Entertainment.

i more festivities during the winter sea-
/ son than Washington, and certainly
none that attracts so much of the
wealth, intelligence and fashion For
a series of years, during the dark
/ hours Of the rebellion, a cessation
| naturally occurred In those brilliant
occasions. Society was temporarily
broken up by the peculiar cOud,tio
of things, and the diversity Of opinion
that existed among a majority of the
| old residents that remained and the
sojourners drawn hither for the Con-
| gressional season, sadly intertered
| with these dazzling reunions. Dur
| ing the last two years, however, a
wonderful change has been wrought,
and the scenes of old are at once
| revived and surpassed. Many Sena-
tors and members Of Congress who
| have heretofore refTained from OccU-
pying residences, have this Winter
| opened magnificent establishments.
| We have a constant succession Of re-
ceptions, with and without cards, pri-
vate parties, and elaborate entertain
ments, night after night, and the gay
world of fashion opens wide its doors,
atfording an opportunity, not only for
ships. but for pleasant and even useful
prominent officials and ex-oficials
have fitted up residences, aud some
Of them permanently located here,
has added much to the charms of
Washington society, and however di-
verse may be the views of men ON
political questions at the close Of the
day, amid pleasures of the evening all
are happily forgotten. The result is
that a general sociability now pre-
walls that never has been equallcd.
Among the many brilliant enter
tainments that will distinguish the
Congressional session Of lS67-'68
none will be longer or more favorably
remembered than the superb assembly
last evening, at the palatial residence
Of Hon. Zachariah Chandler, Senator
in Congress from Michigan, intended
chiefly to celebrate the entrance into
society of his charming daughter, who
numbers her eighteen Summers. Miss
Chandler is we'll known as one of the
most fascinating ladies at the Capital,
who, during her sOiourn, has endeared
herself to a large circle Of friends and
acquaintance. The Honorable Sen
ator, his wife and daughter, never ap-
peared to better advantage than last
evening. His large and elegant par
lors, newly furnished and in exquisite
taste, with rare old paintings on the
walls, were highly decorated with
exotics Of chaste and original
designs The brilliant scarlet
leaves Of the Mexican Poinsetta,
with Is golden centre; the pure
white, pink, ano Eariegated camelias
the fragrant helietrope and the mod
est violet; the gentle primrose and
the dropping and graceful fern, were
grouped together and arranged in
vases and rustic baskets, while the
inches in the walls of the staircase
were tastefully decorated with camelia
trees In full blOom-presenting with
their pure colors and the green and
waxen leaves, a most agreeable con-
trast with the blazing light from the
numerous jets of gas that Illuminated
a scene of wondFous splendor As
early as 9 o clock, carriage after car
riage rolled up and deposited their ex-
quisitely dressed guests. The ar
rangements were admirable. Mr..
and Mrs. Chandler and their daugh-
ter occupied a position in the front
parlor, and as the visitors were loudly
and separately announced on their
entrance, each received a cor
dial greeting and a hearty
grasp OF the hand Mrs. Chan
dler was gracefully arrayed In
a dress of the finest taste-a heavy
rep pearl-cOlored silk, empress waist. |
short sleeves, and low cOrsage.
+,;y,,,oo1 NTH n 10 r,.r,,,- -: . q 1
white satin, bordered with deep /
fringes composed of crystal beads. |
Her extensive train was trimmed. n 4
Ia passe meRterie, with folds of the /
same material o. the dress. cut IN /
points and trimmed with pure white
satin, with fold edging, the volumin- I
Gus skirt arranged In the same man /
ner. She wore a handsome set Of /
pearls, her hair dressed with fusettes
in front, rolled off her forehead with
French twist and numerous plated
coils. and surmounting all, a diadem
of May roses, with long pendants of "
buds and green leaves. Miss Chand
Ter, fair brunette, with golden locks.
which were slightly powdered with
silver, wore a chigHon, over which
depended a small bunch of curls. and
the only ornament connected there
with was narrow band Of gold and
small piece Of black lace worn on the
tor Of the head. She wore gold
jewelry, with a heavy, short neck
lace. with charm attached
a style that is rapidly coming
into vogue. Her dress was a tunic Of
bright rose-colored silk, empress
waist, short sleeves, trimmed with a
81, ]