The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-31
Gossip.
AT HOME AND ABROAD.
GFrom the Nav York Commercial. I

AT HOME AND ABROAD.
[From the New York COMMERCIAL
A recent letter from Paris says that Ameri-
can women COMPLAIN that it is dull there.
Many young ladies, enticed by the vivid de-
scriptions of friends who visited Paris in
Louis Napoleon's time, have coaxed their
fond parents to give them a glimpse of its
glories, and are sadly disappointed. There is
no court, no presentations, no court balls,
and few titled beaux During the empire
American women were in the ascendant, be-
ing great favorites with both the Emperor
and Empress; they made that capital their
headquarters, and for whatever point in Eu-
rope they started, generally drifted to the
Champs Elysees and the Boulevards. There
is no doubt about it, American women assert
themselves everywhere, and if young and
pretty, are almost always to be found in high
places, filling stations of honor, and filling
them well. Miss Nellie c., of New
York, is the belle of Paris this season. She
is domiciled on one of the fashionable ave-
nues, with her mother, who entertains yery
handsomely, and is the fashion. Some wears
ago two sisters named Davis, of New York
city, went to Europe; they were beautiful
women, and both were married in Italy-one
to the Duke Latni, and the other to the
Marquis Gavotte. These ladies reside in
Rome with their husbands. The Mar
quis Gavotte is very prominent and popu-
lar man, and is spoken of in late letters as an
asplrant for the Mayoralty of that city-for
Imperial Rome is to have Mayor-and the
probabilities are that he will be elected. If
so, we will have an American lady doing the
honors OF the City of the Seven Hills,
Another American girl, Miss Allen. of
New York, married the Marquis de Suaga
Sobo, who has lately been appointed Minister
from Portugal to the United States.
MISS Lily Pourtales, one of the beautiful
daughters OF Count Pourtales, who was for so
long a time connected with the Coast SURVEY
at Washington, and was at one time at Gin
cinnati making observations of Mount Adams
has just been married at the American En-
bassy at Berlin, to DR.. Cramer, of Milan. a
learned and wealthy gentleman. Miss PoIr-
tales and her sister Bertha, who was not long
since married in Boston, are both Americans
well remembered in Washington society
where they made their debasts.
Inc women are at work in Washington :
some 1or, and Others against, the woman
suffrage movement. Some of them under-
stand lobbying pretty we'll Mrs. Dahlcren
ana Mrs. Sherman are passing round their
protest, ana canvassing for their own side
against the suffrage movement, ''hugging
their chains" in the very faces of the repre,
sentatives of the suffrage cause. The season
is in its height. The wives of the Judges of
the Supreme Court had the first of their re-
ceptlons last week. The Schiller Club gave
the second OF their entertainments, and Mrs.
Gurney, wife of Mr.. Basel Quincy. one of
the British Commission for the settlement of
the Alabama claims, gave handsome. party
at her house on FL street. 1t is whispered
that President Grant is in dilemma. and
Mrs. Grundy wishes to know what is to he
done about the colored members of Congress-.
Are they to be invited to all state dinners or
not? Are they to have the honor of putting
their feet under the Presidential mahogany
tete-a-tete with the President, etc. Etiquette
requires that all members of Congress shall
be invited to dine with the President at least
once during the session. The first state din
ner was given week ago, and none of the
brothers" were present = time enough
though. The colored officials of the District
Kept open house on the list, and received
their friends-white, colored and mixed-in
great numbers, handsomely entertaining
them. Prominent among the published list
In the Washington Star of those who would
entertain that day, were the names of MANY
government officers of color.
Secretary Belknap will have an attractive
house this winter albeit, he is an attraction
himself, being a widower. His residence is
at the corner of FL street and Madison place
1t is handsomely fitted up, and will be graced
with the presence of his wife's sister, Mrs
Bower, an interesting widow, well known in
Cincinnati society, and his own two sisters.
who will do the honors and entertain for
him. W
Last Saturday evening, the first of series
of literary reunions, given by Mr.. Horatio
Kings family, was held at that gentleman's
house. 1t was largely attended, and was an
exceedingly pleasant gathering They will
be held every Saturday evening during the
winter.