New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-12
WASHINGTON SKETCHES.
CABINET PEOPLE AND CAPITAL SOCIETY.

since that grand gala, gushing time Ia passed, have
been Obliged 10 fall back the ordinary social repnb
can reunions OF Washington. Now Ia high carnival time
IN our fashionable circles All Is not comedy however
there have been few startling interacts OF tragedy
Now and then hear OF blooming yonng belle dropping
out OF the flashing, mad whirdying OF TOO many ices,
too much dancing. and too little clothing.
Your correspondent, unfortunately, is not very recep
tona In her tasteis rather exceptional yet OCCASION
ally getting weary OF ausere studies and literary
labor there comes TO her sudden longing for some light
recreation and rational amusement She inspects her
wardrobe she consults with anxious frendshe chooses
with the choice HobsoDan she arranges, she repairs
she dresses with conscientious pains taking,
giving her whole mndto H. and, at about her ordinary
bedtime departs for the Of festivy We read how
John Glpins spouse had the chase stopped three
doors away" lest the neighbors think her proud,
Your correspondent, more conslerae, takes her
carriage three squares away At length, she lnds her
SELF in the crowded "sparo chamber" OF some great
house. quite overcome by stunning toilets, aud dazed
with diamonds She nerves herself and runs the gaunt'
let OF female critics. all through the hail. and down the
starsso Is borne along by the living tide into the
drawngroom, surGcd up toward her host aud hostess.
then borne backward, aud swept and edded about the
rooIn-to have raids made upon her train-to get no
credit save from the raiders for having any trainto
not dare take ice. .cup OF chocolate from the
trays that sailing about her shoulders for fear OF
dircful consequences to the muslins and silks amid
men sue Is NAN get
lose somethingfnally TO make her way again to the
"spare chamber" lind her hair out of curl ard her
hcadlress awry, and thence TO 90 home at midnight,
under the solemn reproachul stars, thoroughly used
up correspondent
THE is n reception festivy in Its most unnitiraed
form or course, 1t very fine and fashionable aud the
correct thing but IL grows little mOnOonous after
while Especially should say for those enyied Gov
crnment bond servants who must receive and receive,
friends and enemies with equal cOmplaisancc and cOur-
icsy-"ho nnst stand and smile, shake hands aud utter
common places by the hOur-who must dress every day
for jenkins and the reporters Thus they pay the penalty
for their distinction. and quits with On the
whole, II it not for the Of the thing, think
wond about as stand in pillOry.
Can this custom cO.tinuc forever. In growing Cap
ita and OvergrOwn couBtry WIN these heavy hospital
tiles not soon become more than ordinary flesh and bl"od
aud muscle can bear Shall brave aud beloved
President, the man Of many battles ana scses Ice sacr
feed IN these eteraal hand shahingsi What monarch
of the old world would eDdae being mobbed
by his fahfsl subjects after thIs' fashion, twice week
Would it not be good idea to build immense hail
in the Court end Of the town, to contain ue
wax fiGGres Of the President Mrs Grant, their family
aud relave all wearing their best clothes aud happies
expression. and hire Snowman, ana let loyal and de.
onstra;yo people pay their respects TO them often
they please. ask nothing for tho suggestion, though
think II equal in value to a small German coDsuiship
The card receptions Of the Secretary Of STATE and Mrs
Fisk are exceedingly elegant and enjoyable II is much
be able to rely with perfect confidence and serene
satisfaction on the good breeding and sGrOr Cde Of
host aud hostess The most generous hospitality, lavish
entertainment nd upholstery will not make NJ
for tie lack Of these In orr Prcmcrs pleasant and spa
houcc, "hvIo nonE Ur cicSant appointment and
beautiful adornment is wanting. sure of finding
this better grace OF manly gracUusncss this charm
of perfect ladyhood
The Secretary Of the Treasury and Mrs. Boutwell, who
gay society believe, though they always make Their
calling friends very welcome. Tie Secretary looks Ike
the energetic determined official he has proved himself
TO bcmethodical, infe1ble not wanting IN the nfane
unapproachabcness aud bland rcpulson esteemed high
Cabinet qualities. lie looks Ike the man bent on apply
luz rigid system Of Newngiand thrift to our national
economy, setting his face flint against national cx-
trayacance keeping his eye single the reduction of
the national debt. Though not lacking the air Of man
having authority, TO cay 10 this Democratic servant,
Co. and he gocth." and TO this Republ lean servant
Come and he cOmch." he hardly looks Ike that terri.
bic unctlonary who created such reign Of errr on first
entering upon his Office who sashed off heads, some
venerable, some far right ana lett ana went lOIh uoeh
ing aud to dock.
The Secretary Of War. ard Mrs Beknap, arc young.
CAV and popular. The Secretary strikes me as much re-
semblny Gen Thomasthe great Thomas hero OF heroes
fair and royal Saxon Harold. To say this younger
Genera, like him. is about the handsomest thing could
dowed with abundant executive ability. promptitude,
and dec sion having his Office at least, somewhat OF
the manner Santouian
Mr. Secretary Robson, not so delicate looking as mis-
immediate predecessor venerable as the ancient
mariner" who preceded him. very pleasant person
nof!d genial oyal very good amateur Jolly tar
His frank face radiatcs bon homiehe seems altogether
happy ana carcfrcc He is bachelor believe He has
ro yet taken the great ironclad OATH or attached TO
himself monitor or recognized his narltime duties,
though there are OF important naval engage
mcut. Thus far, what is one woman's loss, Is many
women's GAIN for the Secretary Is very gallant ana
agreeable
The receptions the house Of the Secretary OF the In
terror on the Captoline Hill. though much crowded. are
extremely agreeable. The Secretary and his wife have
peculiarly pleasant manner OF receiving. should not
characterize it as gracious cordial as the one term
might seem TO impy eOntescensi0n and the other that
democratic iree-and casiness In vogue with certain
elevated persOnages-meant 10 make you delightfully."-
comfortable. but which don't II is manner OF unaf.
fcctcd kndncss OF cortless and impartial courtesy
Mr. Cox is wonderfully unchanged from the polished aud
scholarly gentleman first knew ~ an able young
lawyer eloquent State Senator. The military fame
and rank which ho has since attained. the dignity OF
TIE chief magsiracy Of bs State, his elevation to
Cabinet position, have ADDED nothing TO q man
Aood complete, well rounded, and well poised. 10
character singularly earnest eonscientious and self
reepeciibs To % mind of subtle perceptions. and
analytic tendencies, to a culture broad aud exact Mr.
Cox adds special aptitude for practical affairs ana
keen insight character With maIner remarkable
for is urbnutyIe yet impressos with certain half
hidden quality OF resolved will" proud integrity. and
last reseIven something Ike steel chalnarmor worn
under Though utterly without selfnssertion. or
seeming ambition you feel thahe is not unconscious Of
powers yet untaxed, though 70 wei trained You ara
confident That sudden emergency could fnd him nm
prepared that no honor the gift OF the Republic could
come 10 him quite surprise Yet should IL prove
that while 70 yonng he has attained fun Of