Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-02-16
Society I'm Washington.

sprightly correspondent Of the New Yorl
Post writes to that paper:
"Wednesday is busy day for the callers il
washington. The receptions are not only nu
merous but each is so attractive that Ii Is diff
cult to leave il and 90 to another. The wives o
the members of the Cabinet, Mrs. Colfax. Mrs
General Sherman and Mrs. Blaine, wife of thu
Speaker of the House, receive on that day. Al
OF these ladies know how to entertain guests
and to do away with all the stiffness and awk
wardness which would seem to be the natura
consequences OF the mode in which society i
conducted here. A hostess does not expect {.
see at her reception many whom she has eve
met before. She knows she must receive mum
ber Of strangers. and she is prepared for them
and Is ready in finding topics for conversation
with each one, when she has time to talk to any
We are especially fortunate this winter In Tho
ladies' who are at the head of Official society
We have not for several years had so many VIII,
have SO thoroughly understood the business O
entertaining.
Mrs. Fish Is so well known in New York that Il
is useless to attempt any description of her Sht
is much admired, and liked as well. As heard
lady say to-day, She is a good woman;
woman Of the world, but not a worldly woman
Washington society Is an old story TO her, but
not one Of which she is tired She appears tc
enjoy 1t in her quiet, composed way, and doe.
much to make others find it agreeable. HeI
"Wednesday afternoons and Friday evenings are
very delightful. She has always some pretty
young girls to assist her in receiving, and ther
she has all manner of attractions in the way oi
works Of art scattered through her parlors, 81
that no one need ever want for means of being
entertained. She lives in the house In which
Senator and Mrs. Morgan used TO i've. Ii il
a very large house, and 80 many rooms arc
thrown open at the day and evening receptions
that ore is not often uncomfortabiy crowded.
Mrs Belknap is another of the ladies whose
1T may be said that she is young and handsome
enough to be admired, agreeable enough to be
sought after, and kind enough to be thoroughly
liked. She has the finest of all good breeding,
that which springs from unselishness. Her
past life has well prepared her for her present
one, the latter being only wholesale edition OF
the former.
Mrs. Matthews, Mr.. Colfax's mother, does not
receive this winter, on account Of her health
and Mrs. Colfax discharges her duties Alone
She is very pleasant; but SO much was said of her
at the time OF her marriage, a little moro than a
year ago, 1t is not necessary for me to add any
thing in the way of description.
During the first part Of the season several per-
He is SO jolly % That adjective was alw avs used
and now that have had the pleasure of meeting
him, see that no other word is so applicable
He is man Of perhaps fifty years of age. has
portly figure, ruddy complexion and iron-gray
hair He has evidently been accustomed to good
living, and has had an easy, agreeable life He is
a bachelor, which is sufficient to complete the
List Of his attractions. He has taken cosy little
three-story house on street, next door to Worm
ley, who is celebrity among caterers, and who
superintends the Secretary's establishment.
MI Robson generally has friends staying with
parties, or perhaps an evening reception on
small scale. He row has two ladies from Phila-
delphia, and he gave musicale in their honor
one evening lately. To this very few were in
vited, only enough to make it agreeable to all
For the benefit of the same ladies he has had
"Wednesday receptions, and they have been
unique in their way. There is always a certain
charm in going to a bachelors establishment,
especially when its head is as full of"jOlly" hos
pitality as is Mr.. Robson. He stands near the
door when callers are coming in, and no sooner
does he hear the names and extend his hand
to give hearty shake, than he exclaims
NOW, GO right into the back parlor, and
see II you can't get something to eat"
The lunch table is bountifully spread. There
are walters in attendance, but Mr.. Robson
comes himself, if he has the opportunity, or in
troduces young naval officer whom he has de-
tailed for the day to see that every one is well
helped. Of course, this off-haHd way of con-
Quoting matters puts every one at case, and
gives the reception a more social character than
II would have otherwise. Indeed, SO delightful
a person Is Mr.. Robson in hIs present condition,
that certain among the married ladies who know
him best are heard to say that the woman who
succeeds in turning his thoughts towards matri-
mony shall be utterly and instantly demol-
ished."