The Cecil Whig., 1871-04-15

quette to appear in public till that cere-
mony is performed" We do these things
differently nowadays, when who will may
go to Mrs. Grants afternoon receptions.
The President is required by etiquette to
give number of official or semi official
dinners during each session of Congress,
and we tell no secret in saying that all
these are great bores to General Grant
The custom is no new one, however, but
prevailed in Mr.. Madison's day, and Mrs.
Scaton pleasantly relates the story of the
first one he gave in the winter of 1S12-13.
Among the guests were the United States
Treasurer, Albert Gallatin, old Gen. Van
Ness and family, the Minister to England,
Mr.. Russell, William r. King, then in Con-
gress and subsequently elected Vice Presi-
dent on the ticket with Pierce, the broth
er-in-law of Mrs. Madison, Mr.. Poindexter,
afterward Governor of and Senator from
Missippi, and Washington Irving author
of knickerbocker and Salmagund." We
now let Mrs. Seaton tell the story in her
own way:
"On Tuesday, William and l repaired to
the palace between four and five O'Clock,
our carriage setting us down after the first
comers, and before the last. 1t is customary
on whatever occasion, to advance to the
upper end of the room, pay your obeisance
to Mrs. Madison, courtesy to his Highness,
and take a seat; after this ceremony being
at liberty to speak to acquaintance, or
amuse yourself as at another party. Mrs.
Madison very handsomely came to me and
led me nearest the fire, introduced Mrs. NJ,
and sat down between us, politely convers-
ing on familiar subjects, and by her own
ease of manner making her guests feel at
home. Mr. King came to our side sans
ceremonie, and gayly chatted with us until
dinner was announced. Mrs. M, by prior
ity of age, was entitled to the right hand
OF her Hostess; and ], in virtue of being a
stranger, to the next seat, Mr.. Russell to
her left, the Presidents Secretary at the
foot of the table, the President in the
middle, which relieves him from the trouble
of serving guests, drinking wine, etc. The
dinner was certainly very fine; but still
was rather surprised as it did not surpass
some | have eaten in Carolina There
were many French dishes, and exquisite
wines, presume, by the praises bestowed
on them; but | have been so little accus-
toned to drink, that / could not discern
the difference between Sherry and rare old
Burgundy Madeira. Comment on the
quality of the wine seems to form the chief
topic after the removal of the cloth, and
during the dessert, at which, by the way,
no pastry is countenanced. Ice-creams,
maccaroons, preserves, and various cakes
are placed on the table, which are removed
for almonds, raisins, pecan-nuts, apples,
pears, etc. Candles were introduced before
the ladies left the table; and the gedtlemen
continued half an hour longer to drink
social glass. Meantime Mrs. Madison
insisted on my playing on her elegant
grand piano waltz for Miss S. and Miss
NJ. to dance, the figure in which she in
structed them in. By this time the gentle
men came in, and we adjourned to the tea
room, and here in the most delightful
manner imaginable shared with Miss S.,
who is remarkably Intelligent, the pleasure
of Mrs. Madisons conversation on books
men and manners, literature in general,
and many special branches of knowledge
| never spent more rational or pleasing
half-heur than that which preceded our
return home. On paying our compliments
at parting, we were politely and particu-
larly invited to attend the levee the next
evening. :. l would describe the dig
nified appearance of Mrs. Madison, but l
could not do her justice. 'Tis not her
form, It's not her face, it is the woman
altogether, whom l should wish you to see.
She wears crimson cap that almost hides
her forehead, but which becomes her
extremely, and reminds one of a crown
from its brilliant appearance, contrasted
with the white satin folds and her Jet black
curls; but her demeanor is SO far removed
from the hauteur generally attended on
royalty, that your fancy can carry the
resemblance no further than the head
dress. :. Mr.. Madison had no leisure
for the ladies, every moment of his time is
engrossed by the male visitors who court
his notice, and after passing the first com
plimentary solutions, his attention is una
voidably drawn to more important Objects"
About this time the Seatons attend 4
naval reception and naval ball on baord
the old war ship Constitution, then lying
at the Washington navy-yard site,-both
being in honor of Captain Hull and his
associates, who fought and captured the
English Macedonian with the Constitution,
after hard engagement of about twenty
minutes. Mrs. Seaton does not find Hull
as she had pictured him, "like Mars to
threaten and commando but describes
him as "a little, jolly, sturdy, fat-looking
fellow, with pair of good black eyes.
She did not dance in the afternoon, "being
totally unacquainted with the present
style of cotillons," but says she had much
pleasant chat with Mrs. Madison, Mrs.
Monroe, Mrs. Gallatin, and other notable
ladies. During the evening the struggling
city was Illuminated: "a more than usual
portion of the youth and beauty of the
place attended the ball. and all were
eager sin paying homage to the bravery and
politeness of the naval heroes" At one
stage of the ball there was great noise,
which produced terror and confusion, but
proved to be the arrival of Lieutenant
Hamilton with two of the flags from the
Macedonian, which were unfurled and
hung up as trophies. Young Hamilton
was seized and hugged by Hull and his
associates, his mother and sister, and many
old naval and field officers 81 cried
excessively" says the young wife, "and
could not check my tears, at which | was
considerably abashed; but, on looking
round, | recovered, in the conviction that
was far from being singular"
A few week after, Mrs. Seaton, who,
meantime has partially mastered the
metropolitan style Of dancing, goes to a
party at the residence of Mr.. Secretary
Gallatin And this is how she Jared at