Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-01-07

To get iu,o society IN Washington is a very
easy matter for one who knows the rui.ments Of
civilized social intercourse. Let such M one DO
have himself with comparative responsibility,
l. e., let his Shortcomings aud long-going be
known no; even TO his landlaiy put in an al-
pgarance At the public receptions occasionally,
and finally accompany some fashionable young
lady in her round Of afternoon calls at the houses
Of Senators and Cabinet officers AMI the thing
is accomplished
Once in the ring he is as,onishei az the NOT
ley and ueyer-yaryiug character Of his associates
First, he finds the Counts, BlrCus, and titled
people Of the Legations to be snobs, as a general
rule; bu; eventually discovers a few u that kid
nev to be well-intIrmei gentlemen As a class,
however. they have but Little respect for Ameri-
cans, and do not blame them for il. They are
sought for, not because they are pleasant CONE
panlons, which they seldom are, but because
they are titled foreigners.
The chiefs and principal Secretaries # Lega-
ton are one ard all gentlemen who are entitled
to respect. They hold themselves very properly
allof from tie ordinary crowd, sni seldom seek
the acquaintance 81 our most prominent publ
cists. Their DIPLOMATS duty c0mpe-s them 10
make the round Of the levees At least once in the
season. and they do il with a. little display as
possible. They may entertain q different oQln-
ION regarding the institutions and principles Of
our Government; but their manner indicates
due resiect for them and our people. They
entertain at their private residences, or At
the place Of some eminent restaurantcar, ami
otherwise conduct themselves with a studied and
manifest desire to maintain the dignity and re-
spcct due 10 their positions. Passing from the
foreign element Of Washington society TO the ma
tive l. an easy transition. Adventures, with
In Of ..f#.r.a'
General. Judge. and even deacon, abound Ten-
ufulv The poorest Department clerk Is able 70
maintain a standing 10 social circles If he desires
II, equal with them, and with the real d ignitares
Of the Government. Each man who attempts il
succeeds 10 greater or less extent, according %
his capacity for making himself agreeable. The
constitutional cl8w-htmmer coat, low cut vest,
and O pair Of gloves, are all that i requisite TO
secure the success Of the first step. After that
every one stands on Dbl, own merits, ani j.
iudgei accordingly. In short, the court life Of
our Great Republic is much Ike a town meeting,
open % everybody who has respectable suit Of
clothes and presents a decent appearance.
Behind ali THIS, however, aud independent Of
what might Do called "the Court, there are
social circles are as exclusive as those Of
the French loyalsts during the reign Of him they
called B-u-o-naparte. The people who compose
them have never been heard 20 say President
Lincoln, and they frown upon and refuse TO at
tend amusements in 81 Lincoln Hall " They say
sometimes. ''the late Mr.. lincoln, but gener-
ally say, Lincoln They tax scandal not about
themselves, but about the wiie-aw4Ae, latter
day Washingtonians They sag they have al
WAYS been Unionists, bu, insist even 10 this day
that the Federal is subject O. the State Govern
ments. The experienced eye can almost pick
them out en- the street. They invariably wear
mourning. The males Of this Glass, beng thrown
into business contact with the new corners, are
becoming reconstructed. and the description |
have been giving Is, therefore, applicable TO the
females alone. Before this process Of reconstruc-
ton commenced, however, the men presented
the same dolorous appearance, and in the bosoms
Of their households they assume it to-day.-C0r.
H'esisTg piper.