Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-02
WASHINGTON NOTABLEs.
Pen-POrtraits of Some of the Yo-
men of Society.

New York World furnishes the follow
ing interesting pen-pOrtraits among others:
MINNIE SHERMAN.
But the | Street House has this advan-
tage now in that there is a young lady
daughter to assist in making the enter
tainments agreeable. Miss Minnie Sher-
man enjoys society very much, indeed,
albeit she has the credit of being some
what impassive. She is pleasing in her
appearance, and is more of the blonde
than of the brunette order. Her face is
by some called ''coldly intellectual" by
others, "statuesquc." But her quiet man
ner is more to be attributed to her having
been an invalid for some time than to any
intentional reserve. She was so unfortu-
nate as to be thrown from her horse,
while riding, some two or three years ago,
and she was so seriously injured that for
long time there was no hope for her re-
cOveTy. 1t is not quite year since she
was first able to go into society and she
found it so pleasant then that at the first
of this winter she declared her intention
to accept every invitation sent, even at
the rate of four or five every evening.
A story has gone the rounds that she
declined dancing with the Prince, on the
score of a previous engagement; but that
is not true, for she did dance with him.
With regard to the locket Prince Arthur
sent her, it was sent as delicate mode of
returning Gen. Sherman's generosity in
presenting II. r. H. with very hand
some rifle. II contains his own picture,
but not his mothers
There is never any dancing at the Sher-
man receptions. Mrs. Sherman disap-
proves very decidedly of the round
dances, and never permits her daughter 20
dance them.
MRS. sIRAGUE.
Two or three years ago no sketch of
Washington society would have been
complete without giving to Mrs. Sprague
a prominent place in the foreground. For
several winters her Saturday receptions,
which were always matinees dansantes,
were the handsOmest as well as the most
charming of the weekly attractions. OF
late she has passed very little of her time
in Washington, and when here has enter
tanned but seldom, having given herself
up in great measure to her maternal
duties. Thus far this season an elegant
dinner and musicale, to which last
very few were invited, have been the
only occasions on which her house has
been open TO her friends. Much has
been said of the beauty of this lady, her
grace and her superb dressing, and what
has been said has been but little eXaggera-
ted. Mrs. Sprague has fine eyes, a we'll
shaped head and a graceful figure, though
perhaps she is trifle tooTslender. All
these advantages show better as be-
longing to Mrs. Sprague, arrayed in costly
costumes, than they eyer did when Miss
Kate Chase appeared in very ordinary
apparel.
The taste in dress Of this lady has ma
terially improved of late years. She no
longer wears a huge diamond ornament
on the top of her bonnet, as she did in the
winter of 1860. Indeed, her dress is more
noticed now for the sake of the we'll
known taste of the wearer than the wear
or is commented upon for the display
made by her dress. Mrs. Sprague has
bright intellect and good deal of diplO-
matte capacity. She is a devoted daugh-
ter and careful wife. A story is told of
her at State dinner at the White House
in the early part of Mr.. JohnsOn's admin
istration, which shows her disposition to
exercise a wholesome influence over the
husband of whom she has never appeared
proud Senator Sprague's seat at this din
ner was between Mrs. Slower and Mrs.
Dixon. His wifes was on the same side
of the table, few seats beyond. At that
time Mr.. Sprague was not, by any means,
a temperate man, and he partoOk so freely
of wine that one of his neighbors, seeing
him stretch out his hand to replenish his
glass once more, said gently, 81 would
not take any more if were YOU" while
the latter said, ''There are pair of bright
eyes looking at you Oh them!"
exclaimed the excited man, ''they can't
see me ~ and refillcd his glass as bespoke.
But instantly the owner of the bright eyes
in question. radiant in pink satin, point
lace, and diamonds, leaned forward, and
fixing the keen eyes ON her husband, said
earnestly: eyes, they can see yOu, and
they are heartily ashamed of you.
MISS CHASE.
Miss Nettie Chase is, perhaps, more
universally liked than her more naughty
sister She is not only young lady to
be admired for her stylish appearance and
ease of manner, but more for her mental
requirements. She has great tasto and
ability Us an artist, and of her drawings a
gentlemen who is permitted the privileges
of her portefeuitIe says; ''SOme of her
productions are really miracles of their
kind, bringing up instantly and wildly
both Cruikshank and HOgarth, of neither
of whom is she a copyist."
The Chief Justice has taken house
this winter, and no longer shares that of
| his eldest daughter. Miss Chase does the
hOnors of her fathers house with much
GRACE, and fills her position with the ease
usually acquired only by long experience
Another of the beauties of whom much
has been said and written is Miss Blanche
| Butler. This young lady is one who has
| the rare advantage of appearing lovelier
in her own home, and when dressed sim
| ply, than she ever does with brilliant sur
roundings. She is blonde of peculiar
| type, that so seldom seen, where hazel
eyes, made dark by black lashes, are &C
| cOmpanied by skin dazzling In white
ness and purity, brilliant color, and hair
which is of the famous golden hue, with
a tinge of red just sufficient TO make il
| glitter. Miss Buffers amiahiiY and
lovable disposition are subjects of as much
remark as is her beauty. In particular
her frien,is speak of the relation which
exists between her and her father, jusl
what it should between father aud daugh-
ter, but what it rarely is in our day.