The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-02
SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON.

ana INTENTIONALLY mud-DOunu streets OF TINS metro-
polls endurable. Blue skies and balmy Southern
breezes have prevailed for the unparalleled stretch
of ten days at time-meet omen might we say, Of
the fast approaching era OF peace on this troubled
EARTH and good will even among politicians. Then
we have had unusual conc0urse OF strangers from
far and near. and around and above all happy
atmosphere OF bright anticpatons that the country
Is about to enter on q higher and more prosperous
career under the administration Of General Grant,
and that the elements Of political strife and bitter
ness about to yield place to the true mission OF
Christian charity and all-embraclng patriotism.
Since New Years day balls and receptions have
followed fast on the heels OF each other and filed up
the cycle OF this dying month";
the WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION.
The White House led of In one grand and general
reception, where all classes Of society repre-
sented and the whole range Of fashion displayed.
SPEAKER coLFAx's LEvEEs.
Then came Speaker C0lfax's popular levees,
where the tone OF ceremony was let down and
hearty hospitality mingled with unconstrained ease.
Here the visitor might ind all shades OF politics
blended In rainbow harmony Of color, and general
feeling OF genial soclaby lending It's softening in
uence to wear OF the edge OF stiffness and restraint.
Friday last the Speaker held his browning reception
OF the season. His house Is modest cream colorsd
mansion on Lafayette square, much too small for
the accommodation OF the many that stream through
It's freely opened portals to greet the Vice President
elect Still there is no very uncomfortable crowdlng.
The visitors eddy around the two principal rooms.
and having paid their respects pass quietly out and
give place to others. Mrs Colfax received the call
ers with much grace and good nature. There is no
tnge OF the artificial In her manner, and II there Is
any restraint at all it arises from disposition to
chpck m nf Gha
dressed in pink satin. which appears to be color
well adapted to the neutral shade OF her COM
plexion. She wore white flowers in her hair
and chaste necklace Of pearls. A little dis
lance away from her stood Mrs. and Miss
Matthews, and their cousin, Miss Runk, all
three attired in colors that made pretty and
effective contrast. The visitors were from every
where, and all appeared familiar acquaintance that
the Speaker was never so glad to see. Wonderful
man Is Collax-through clouds and sunshine always
the same cordial, smiling, whoe-sOuled fellow. A
pleasant word and look for everybody, never losing
his equanimty, steady In his orbit as the sum- and
like the solar luminary sending forth beams that
warm and cheer the social sphere around him.
Perhaps 500 persons called upon him last Friday
evening and went away in happier mood
of mind than when they came. or course amid the
mass many queer specimens OF humanity straggle in.
Hiram Jones, from Indiana, and Badly Brown, from
Illinois, immense types OF the Hooser creation,
with illflttng back coats and digits fearful to oe-
hold shoulder in 10 grasp the hand OF the host and
terrible TO contemplate the hand OF the hostess Also
G GO smiles though they put him to the torture
crOus grace and rolling forth grotesque compliments
Bur these are line, Digheared fellows though their
MANNERS be little brusque and awkward. The
Speaker likes them, too. He taxes pride In these
Western yeomanry, that have hewed down the vast,
tall forests, and gone to the sea with Sherman Then
they are portion OF his constituents, and faithful,
energetic ones, also.
SECRETARY M'CULLocH's RECEPTION.
Passing from the Speakers we find Secretary Nc
Cuoch giving q reception ut the same time over the
way on Lafayette square. You 20 up ample
brown stone stoop, surrender your oyercoat and
chapeau to an expecfant waiter, and usher yourself
with perhaps dozen Others, into the portly pre-
sence OF the head OF the Treasury. Mr.. McCllloch
charm in the manner In which he relaxes the muscles
OF his mouth. He has, however. kind OF country
bred urbanlty that goes long way without being
ample apartment, ut one end OF which group
OF handsome ladies lend their sweet pre-
sence TO the OCCASION and kd-gloved cavaliers stop
for few moments To pay some commonplace COM
pliments and then move OF In the direction OF the
supper table and the reservoir OF cold punch. There
was full attendance at the Secretaryis last recep-
tion, quite number Of senators, Representatives
and foreign Ministers. Receptions seem TO agree
approach our republican Institutions will permit to
court drawing room, and by the exercise OF little
imagination In taking secretary McCulioch or any
body else for the genuine article OF royalty they
can amuse themselves with the monarcnlcal idea
stall.
SECRETARY wELLEs' RECEPTION
Secretary Welles, IN an adjacent block. gave q
reception last week that drew good many dstin-
gaished people towards his mansion. The Secretary
Of the Navy was more than q ngurehead on this oc-
casion. lie was unusually affl6ie and communlca-
tive and took his guests by the hand with all that
OF manner characteristic OF the
service. Mrs. Welles was dressed In heavy MORE
antique or subdued shade, and Miss Hale, who
assisted her in the agreeable task OF receiving,
presented handsome contrast In azulne rlacis
0aUDllQue
tary Seward made his sunshiny appear.
ance before ANYBODY else. Postmaster General
Bey, the Turkish Minister and lady; Mr.. \. De Billie,
Charge d'Aiiarcs Of Denmark; Mr.. Thornton, the
or none OF the Characteristic British hauteur: Mr.
Garcia de Roza, Of the Portuguese Legation; M.
Cerrutt the Italian Minister very entertaining and
much run and humor; Mr.. Howard and lady, OF the
English Legation; Senators Morrill, and Doolittie,
together win large number of army and navy ON.
GERS, with their ladies'. Some Of the ladies' trains
were of grand proportions, spreading out with the
amplitude OF Lord Cardinals robe.
ATTORNEY GENERAL EyARrs' RECEPTION.
Attorney General Evarts has q knack OF making
his receptions the entertaining In washinQton
Gyars Is not the ascec hat he cok o'1 He d
a lively dialogue and glass OF Madeira as well as
any one. Then his wife Is lady OF the sweetest
manners and dresses In the most delicate and refined
taste, besides being as sprghty she Is handsome
and accomplished The last reception given by the
Attorney General was the most brilliant OF the sea-
ladies' absolutely dazzling, the rooms splendidly
lighted and the tout ensemble, 80 TO speak rarely
picturesque. General Grant looked better pleased
than he has ever appeared, and, with Admiras
Farragut and Goldsborough, was highly en-
tertained by the sparkling humor OF the
Attorney General. General Hancock was present,
looking as usual the beau ideal OF martial hero.
Ben Butler was In excellent spirits aud ready for q
bantern g TIT with anybody. the guests remained
TIL after midnight which may be taken as q token
that they enjoyed the occasion.
SECRETARY BROwNINGs RECEPTION.
Secretary Browning's last reception partook OF
the nature OF FEAST TO which all the clerks OF the
Interior Department were invited. IL was q great
event Tor them this free and easy intercourse with
the big man above them. They sat down 10 liberal
banquet and went home rejoicing.
sECRErARY SCHoFIELD's RECEPTION.
Secretary schoneld had goodly attendance nc HIS
latest reception. The prominent people that visited
the other Cabinet oillccrs came here Also spent q
little time and then HE'D away somewhere else.
SENATOR CHANDELIERS RECEPTION.
senator Zach Chandler astonshed the town re-
Gently Dy the extent and style OF his reception.
Everybody worth noticing was invited 80 II ls easy
70 guess what Q crowd the society OF Washington
Iurnlsned. His house on III street In Q substantial
Drown stone structure. when liOhfpd mn ms kpa