The New York herald., 1870-02-07
WASHINGTON SOCIALS,
Fashionable Movements OF the Cabinet (orDs
and the Corps Diplomatic.
TIE PRESIDENT AMONG TILE LADIES'.

WAsHiNGTos. Feb. s. 1870.
'sha l meet you at Crcswel's or Garcia's to.
night'n
"Will you be al the state dinner next wednes-
dayan
.Do you propose TO attend Fish's reception on
Fridayrr
"IIave you been al speaker Blaine's or General
Sherman's yetg
HAS Belknap Sent you card FOR his opening
night2n
These are the kind OF questions one hears every
day OF the week now, showing that though .that
dear, sweet Prnce LETT us, are not altogether
at loss for fashionable attractions In truth Wash
ingon was perhaps never more gay than during the
present season; the capital never was better sup
Piled with the votares OF fashion, and never showed
more lavish display or wealth, beauty, rank and
gong to add-intellectual charm. Rut
that would he going trne too far
perhaps, l say perhaps 1t would, because
am not OF those ancient foges who
reyeled IN the uxuries OF Washington society wears
ago during the days OF the old rcgi,,e. am not OF
those who can shake their heads wisely when com
PARSONS are drawn, and who, while almost CON
temptuousy curling their lips AT the mention OF to.
days social circles can launch into ecstatic praises
OF those good old days" when wealth OF intellect
and moral character, and not mere dollars ana
Genus. were TcCtiNtu us HlkleSl paSSpOftS
drawing rooms OF the creme Or la creme OF society
Beng so TO speak, only OF to-day ! can only write
OF what ace around me now, and leave to the raal
ould stock Of tile past monopoly OF those pleasing
recoectOns.
But thus much may state very modestly OF TO.
day without causing the old time paragons TO
roll in their cofflns that there is little atom or
intellectual charm left yet. one does not have TO
depore a complete poverty OF wit aud instructive
conversation ri The official ana private
receptions and parties here lt IL quite endur-
able TO spend few hours at Crcswcil's
or Cox's or Fish's. or any other the
Official receptions coitrerSdzoues. 1t would DE
unmlxed pleasure 1t not for the oyercrowding.
TOO many invitations issued, ana parlors OF
the very highest officials inadequate 10 accom-
modate the fashionable throng. 10 nave To squeeze
oneself through crowd of gentlemen in order to
reach the cloak roon and after accomplishing that
feat and getting into the drawing room, 30 have
TO pick oues steps carefully lest one commit
the awkward bunder OF treadng some
fine ladys train, ~ very well calculated 10
mar the pleasure OF the evening. How much
better would it be were the list Of invitations less
numerous and the ladies' trains three or four
wards shorter The supernuty OF satin and SILK
trailing the fioor is an embarrassment 10 gentlemen
IN crowded salon. 10 which ladies seem TO pay not
the slightest heed. The ladies' Know well enough
how to sngrily and TO look unutterable things
when snoe.,eather and satin or silk come into col
lsion; but would not II ps much better
were preventive measures adopted, Wouldn't
shorter dresses and faces uncouded nv q single
frown, be preferable to unese rid,cnlousiy long
trains and inconsiderase charges against mascunne
awkwardness, which are directly traceable to tue
absurd fashions OF the ladies' themselves,
The CABINET reception invitations are good not
for one night, but for the whole season. Every noted
stranger in town gets an invitation apd the conse
Quencs IA taat each recurring occasion Guds largse