The New York herald., 1869-02-04
WASHING GT0N
Fashionable Gayeties in the
Capital.
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THE PRESIDENTS SECOND RECEPTION.
BRILLIANT WEDDING IN HIGH LIFE.
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Mysterious Frauds on the
Treasury Department.
Passage OF the Consular Appropriation
Bill in the Senate.
Discussion on the Internal Revenue
Bill in the House.
Abolition Of Duration Limit to the
Income Tax.
Mysterious Frauds on the
Treasury Department.
Passage OF the Consular Appropriation
Bill in the Senate.
Discussion on the Internal Revenue
Bill in the House.
Abolition Of Duration Limit to the
Income TAX.

Abolition Of Duration Limit to the
Income Tax.
WASHINGTON Feb. g. 1862
Second Reception of the Season Mt the White
Last night, although very stormy and inclement,
was couspicuously brilliant among the votaries Of
fashion. Besides balls and parties at many private
mansions the President and his daughters received
at the White House and the Knights Tempars gave
q merry carnival at Wizards. Up to midnight car
nages lifted hither thither through the driving
rain and snow, and the belated pedestrian as he
trudgei through sush heard at intervals the merry
hum OF voices, blended with the soft strains OF in
strumental music. The joyousness within doors
made ample amends for the tempestuous character
Of the night without
At the Executive Mansion the President and his
daughters held their second levee Of the season.
At eight O'Clock the doors of the White House
opened Owing to the unfavorable weather very
few persons ventured out foot and, therefore, no
crowd waited under the portic0 to rush in as the
doors swung open. Soon after eight O'Clock car
rages began to arrive, and the parlors gradually
filled with the most distinguished and fashionable
residents Of the capital As the rooms were not so
densely crowded, as is generally the case at the
Presidential receptions, the visitors enjoyed a
greater degree OF comfort. The East Room and the
long halls afforded ample space for promenading-a
kind OF entertain ment much in vogue on these
occasions.
The President received his guests at the door Of
the Blue Room, and the ladies, who stood on his
right repeated the welcome. Here, as the callers
file slowly through the door Of the Blue Room, 1t is
nAsvn~. AIA<v Ixn
tween them ana the Chief Magistrate Of the nation.
Every condition OF life is in the throng that
presses towa rds the President Each person, dlsn-
gushed or humble, whether richly and fashi onably
attired or dressed in the painest garb Of poverty
receives the same hearty and sincere greeting The
humbest citizen is as graciousy welcomed as the
most distinguished dign.tary.
The display Of elegant dresses last evening was
remarkably imposing and the number OF ladies
present was greater than usual. The President was
assisted in receiving by Mrs. Stover and Miss Cur
tin, daughter Of Ex-Governor Curtin, Of Pennsyl-
vana. Among the visitors were Secretary and Mrs.
McCulloch, Secretary Seward, Attorney General and
Mrs. Evarts, Secretary Browning and daughter, and
Miss O'Bannon; Secretary welles, Senator and Mrs.
Dixon and daughters, Senator and Mrs. Norton,
Senator Nye. Senator Ross. M. Cerrut. the Italian
Minister; Sehor Wales, OF the Spanish Legation;
ME- buildZZl, SccTttdTy Ol the luTklSn LegaIlOn,
Baron Gerolt the PrussIan Minister; Count Turennc
and vicomte d'Aulan, OF the French Legation, and a
large representation Of army and navy officers, with
their ladies.
The Ball and Reception Of the knights
Templar.
The ball and reception OF the Grand Knights Tenn
plars, Washington Commandery, No. l. was held last
night at Wizards Hotel. The attendance was very
large, the ladies being unusually numerous, and
arayed in dresses Of style and fashion perfectly be-
wildering. The halls, reception rooms and dancing
floor were jammed with the moving mass
OF humanity, and it was almost impossible 10
make room for quadrilles or watzes for the
benefit OF those fond OF the eight fantastic"
The dancing hall was tastefully decorated for
the occasion, Heald's brass and string band occupy
ing an elevated position In the centre and furnish
ing the necessary music At hafpast nine the pro-
gramme OF the evening was opened by the grand
ennee, "Knights Templars March," played by the
band; the dancing being subsequently introduced
and continuing until twelve O'Clock, when supper
was announced, and in the hall adjoining forthwith
ali repaired aud discussed the good things with
which the tables were laden. j. b. Will Eminent
Commander Of the Washington Commandery, occu-
pied the head OF the table, with the veteran B. b..
French on his right. and Emanuel Corbett Of Batl-
more Commandery, No. g upon his left. Fun and
ample justice was done to the splendid banquet at
the conclusion Of which dancing was resumed and
Kept up to the small hours.
Sensation In Fashionable CircIcs-Marriuge OF
General Comsfock.
The event which the world or fashion, az repre-
sented at the national capital, has long looked for
ward TO with expectations Of great qualification, the
marriage Of General Cyrus b. Comsiock, Engineer
Onicer on General Grants stan, to Miss Elizabeth
Blair daughter Of Montgomery Blair, took place this
evening. The fashionable season in Washington
compared favorably, as regards spirit, ecidt and
brancy. with that Of any OF the largest and wealth..
est cities OF the country. The sound of enjoy
mcnt is almost without intermission. Balls, parties,
sorees musical and dansante. receptions dinner
parties, private theatrcals and tabieaux follow
each other In quick succession; but the occasion on
which the beauty and fashion OF this exceedingly
fashionable city appears to be In the acme OF
their enjoyment Is when wedding occurs, as In the
present instance, among the very creme do ~
creme OF their select circles. General Cyrus b.
Comsock before stated Ia an oficer OF the Engi.
neer corps United states Army, and has been n
member OF General Grants star from an early
period OF the war, a position which he has niIed
with distinguished merit He has hitherto resided
with General Grant, and enjoys the Generals fullest
confidence. MISS Elizabeth Blair, the bride, is q
charming young lauy, ana mas pecn TOT some time
past one Of the brightest ornaments Of Washington
society. Miss Blair Is the daughter OF Montgomery
Blair by his first wife, Caroline Buckner Blair.
After the death OF her mother she was taken
into the family Of her grandfather, Frank r. Blair
sr, where she has since resided. The following are
the bridesmaids selected for the bride:-Frst Miss
Minna Blair the BRIDES sister; second, Miss M. Beck,
OF Kentucky, the BRIDES cousin; third, MISS Violet
Blair, brides cousin; fourth Miss Rosa Sands fifth,
OF General r. r. Plair. The names OF the grooms
men who onnciated on the occasion are as follows:
First General j. w. Turner. Of the Subsistence De.
partment United States Army; second, General
Alfred H. Terry, United states Army; third, General
Adam Badeau, Of General Grants star; fourth
Colonel Charles N. Graves, Thirty-fourth infantry;
Nth, MIR. William Hill Lee.