Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-03-03
COMMUNICATED.
"LOngum, Eternumque Fale.'


"FareaosN to the Old Don,iaion-AU Hail the
Ne,vn-I am old enough, hr. Editor, t. re-
mem Der the old Virginia gentlemen, with pow
1ered hair and long riband- bound cues There
remains photographed on 10y brain the nppcaf-
ance of the broad tapped, square titled dross
0uartered, buckle fastened shoes, in which
these worthless dressed, rs we'll rs the ample
ruffes that ornamented their breasts and Wrst5
It was worth something to see ono OF them lllI
his hat from his head, and With 1t flourish u
graceful salute 10 lady as he passed her
Elegance, grace and dignity they carried with
them wherever they appeared, whether III the
forum, on the husiings, IN the drawing room or
at the festive board. What dsshlng vehicles
thew moved about n-English coaches four
horses, post boys and GU. rldoli all complete ID
their appointments; tell you they cut Il ig
cure wherever they appeared, and assure you
Thew some how or other impaired their stately
air TO their servants. Why, one OF the most
graceful NTH ever saw WAS gentlemnhs Dut'
Ter as he stood behind his masters Chair ut Inc
head of the dinner table armed with sno"
white napkin the controller Of decanLcrs ana
bottles, ready 10 use tho cork screw 10 ruhoVe
the cloth ana 10 start the coasters In lhoae
DAYS Mr.. Editor, there was no gas llght' put
in every plate chest there Whs to Do louhu =
number of three branched candle sticks, AHA IL
was \ sign of fno times ahead whenever You 81"
| number of these ccvorod With chalk, standing
| in the sunshine-it WISE u sure loro.runnef I'll d
| large dinner. Oh what a flood OF light lhsy
| shed upon the polished mahogany 10 Do r.
| aected through tho bright Madeira vino inst
| filled the decantors on the occasion; In Ihose
days no ono smoked or chewed tobacco IN u
pontlemsns dining room, though the gold
| snuff box sometimes circulated round Inc Liable
| in the wake of the olives and Wlne-A cup VI
coffee wound up the ceremonies OF Inc dinner
| table, after which the gentlemen adjourned to
| tho drawing room, where the ladies were AS
semblod to meet them, and do not think am
able to describe these charming ladies rs they
appeared to my youthful eyes; only can tell
you thoy were innocent OF round dances,
| Japan switches and Grecian bonds, and my
Iecol lection is that they were beautiful, grace
| full and attractive dgnihed and elegant Ill their
attire and charming in their conversations: fut
| l propose to devote another communlchtlon 10
thom while l shall occupy 10yselt Ut the pro-
| sent with The effort TO describe the influence
| the gentlemen exercised upon society IN these
| DAYS of the Old Dominion. When 1 can first
remember, society in Virg mia was not i'll tie
| hands Of the young and unmarried, but the
most distinguished IN on of the land participated
in the festivities and entertainments Of that day.
! have seen gathered ut u party Ut ono time
more than one ex-President Of the U. s., sur
/ rounded by the most learned and distinguished
| legislators, judges, lawyers and men ol the
| land, importing dignity TO the party by their
| intelligence and refinement, where little danoi-
| fed upstairs kept their places, and where u
| conversation prevail led that was agreeable ana
improving to sll that participated in it, and
| whore decorous behavior obtained beyond
| what at present characterzes the deport-
| ment OF many who participate in society.
Tie entertain ments l speak Of were not got
| ten up for the ostentatious display of wealth,
| for while there no stint Of creature com
| folts, they were rather designed for The feast
| of reason and the flow OF soul"
| Various apartments Wero open aud III Inc
| same time the dancing room, tho conversation
| room, and the card room were occupied, and
! no one for moment forgot that he was in the
presence of ladies and under the roof OF y gen,
| tleman. Modesty of demeanor was us usual
| amongst tho mon as among the ladies. There
wore no vocilerous EXPLANATIONS. no strugg! ing
| for refreshments, and no heterogeneous on TIC
rules of proprlety and good taste. Ago was
! respected, unaffected dcference was displayed
to tho ladies, while overy ono felt easy and in
clined to impart to others the enjoyment he ro'
| ceived on the OCCASION
| The persons who entertained in those days
| had wealth enough to afford it, and thcy pos
sessod the refinement that enabled them to Sc
| euro the enjoyment Of all their guests
| ar ~