The New York herald., 1872-12-22
LEADERS OF FASHION.
The Marquis De NOailles'
Double Mansion.
Secretary Fish and the Diplo-
matte Corps.

ness" tnat relKnB In society," Let tnem take nearC
against the days-and they are not far ofr-when
from three to six parties, receptions or dances
must be crowded into the history OF a single night,
and that night repeated from week to week, with
but breaks enough to catch temporary and sus-
tanning BREATH until Lent steps In and ends all but
the quiet and enjoyable little reunions that hold
their own till approaching Summer sends every
body In the world or fashion or to Europe, the
springs, the lakes, the seaside or the mountains.
For the present friendly calls informal gatherings
gossip upon the near-0penng season and prepara-
tt0ns for 1t I'LL the weekly record. Two young
ladies, each in that enviable position where they
can do anything at any time and be applauded In
the doing Of 1t, have given germans at their
homes, and the series OF Winter socables by
the State associations has been begun by
Pennsylvania. These State sociables have be-
come features of society life, not that they are
given by society people. but they bring together
the leading people OF each State, and 1t has be-
| come the custom to have the President present
and to arrange sort OF White House reception for
the purpose of allowing everybody to be intro
duced and shake hands. For strangers on nying
visit, VINO have none but chance hotel acquaint-
ances and cannot do any better, these halfpublic
entertainments to which admission Is gained by
purchased ticket, afford fair haf-view Of society
life and, in some respects, are more enjoyable to
reception nights at the Executive Mansion.
Secretary Deano gave dinner party before
starting Tor Cuba on what is diversely repre-
sented to be o Cuban mission, a St. Domingo
mission, and a speculative, private mis-
sion of his own ana OF his copartners in railroad
interests. Nearer the truth than any, most proba-
bly,, is the authorized version that he goes for
health and recreation. The Secretary Is not
well-few office and professional men are any
more-and he has been at business very
close for two or three months. That he
will come back wiser than he went is
very likely, but he does not go, II those best stu
ated to know speak truly, with any 'lnstructons''
or prearranged plan in his portmanteau. AS for
his dinner party it was good one. Mr.. Delano is
popular host, and is blessed with good house in
which to entertain his friends and family circle in
keeping with his other advantages. The Delanos
are favorites in society at all events.
THE ONE LARGE PARTY OF THE SEASON
thus far has been that OF Mrs. Hamilton Fish, prob
ably the most welcome party giver Of Washington.
1t given early for the especial purpose Of clear
ing the way for other and better ones to follow.
The Fishes leave in March and the country in
April for Europe, and will leave behind them re-
grets most substantial and sincere over their de-
parture In Mrs. Fish ample means are combined
with taste and capacity for the exercise OF her
nlgn once In Lne social world, ana nOtwltnStand-
ing all the sentimental talk about the cold and for
NAL splendor OF the entertainments of the Secre-
tary of state, society warns towards them now
that they disappearing.
For the same reason that testimonial to an off,
cal person Is most in order when he Is retiring
from ohice, and has no further favors it is per-
haps fitting time to say OF the departing Secre-
tary that none who have gone before him ever
stood higher in the esteem OF tsat particular class
with whom, in virtue OF his oficc, he comes into
closer social contact than any in public or private
life at Washington. In proof OF this are some re-
marks said to have fallen warmly from the lips of
Minister eminent in position, OF acknowledged
talent and experienced in diplomatic usage. He
was explaining and defending the act of himself
and his colleagues in calling collectively upon the
President, day or two after the November elec-
ton, to congratulate him upon reelection that
under our constitution, had not been formally
effected, and was endeavoring to combat an asser-
ton that the corps had grievOusly sinned against
precedent, etiquette and good TASTE which
republican simplicity and respect for
our system of government which, pos
Distressed by the directness and persistence OF
the arguments advanced by the person with whom
he was engaged In discussion he suddenly aban-
doned the line OF diplomatic tinesse and subtlety
with which he had been NEE ting the attack, ana
mne in this matter care not or questions Of
precedent or proprety; but / know that the dfplo-
matte corps in body and personally have the
warmest feelings OF regard for Mr. Fish and his
excellent lady, and are grateful to both for the
Kindness and generosity with which the corps
have always been treated. The same feelings we
have for President Grant and his lady, and II was
by almost common impulse that the movement
to call upon the President for the purpose Of con-
graduating him. not upon his reelection, but upon
also by the call to do honor to and gratiiy the
secretary OF state. We have nothing TO do with
the political dissensions or your country, but
personally rejoiCed in the success Of
those VINO have made our official and personal in
tercourse pleasant and agreeable in every way.
II il true that we represented only ourselves and
not our governments but we all feel satisfied snat
our governments, who were, OF course, duly In
dact This incident though dtLes little late eui n the
telling, Affords perhaps, full and close an ex-
planaton Of that much-dscussed "roy al reception'
at the Executive Mansion as has yet been seen In
PRINT
THE MARQUIS DE NoArLLEs,
the new French Minister Is not more impatient to
get into his new house, rather honses-Ior he is
having two knocked into one to get room
a ars society geneTTs Th s m to
ter came over before him; it mas grown with his
actual presence, and expectation has been raised
to the limit OF endurance by the prospect OF add.
tiona delay in realizing the hopes and promises OF
gay lie at the French Embassy. All tnat wealth,
rank, lineage polite culture and complete fami.
liarity with social usages in their highest
refinement can afford OF pleasure is guaran-
teed TO Washington society this Winter, and
society stands eager for the reyel to begin. De-
lightiu suggestions aloat that the presence OF
the Marquis, his elegant and vivactous wife and
those incomprehensible attaches that have won the
distinction OF accompanying the suite OF the Minis
ter cannot fail TO give 10 society this dash
OF that Partisan edn, OF the period OF the Empire
that is at once inexpressble and delightful. Mean
while the destined scene OF all these pleasures,
the corner OF and Tenth streets, is In an aggra-
waiting state or incompleion, and IL looks II the
promised christmas festivities were doomed to
premature decay. The Marquis himself, foreseeing
all this xi0us to rent, at any price, the bsr-
rack sized dwelling on street. just built py Mr.. |
Marshall Brown, retired hotel keeper or note in
days before the war; but. greatly to the discomfort
OF society, Mr.. Brown insisted that he built the !
house himself and Intended to live In It, though
by way OF partial amends, he intimaed that he did
not propose to be behind the .Markis' in doing |
what was right by society This brave purpose |
will derive encouragement from good neigbor- |
hood for just across the street is the handsome |
and really hospitable residence OF
THE POsrMAsTER GENERAL,
over which Mrs. Creswel has come from her