The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-25
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

The Foreign Representatives at the
Federal Capital-John Bulls Own
Senatorial SympOsiums-A Reign OF
Dulness and Stupidity.
WASHINGTON, March q, 1873.
Four score years ago, when Washington was
President. and the federal government was tenn
pOrarily located at Philadelphia, number OF high
bred Frenchmen, driven from their homes by the
Revolution, enjoyed the Inequalities Of the Quaker
city. One of them was the viscount de Noaies, o
brotherin-.aw or Lafayette, who was permitted to
occupy some upper rooms in building which stood
in the garden Of the wealthy Mr. Bingham, whose
daughter married Alexander Barring, after
wards Lord Ashburton. In these Bohe.
mian quarters Chateaubriand, Louis Phil.
lippe d'Orleans, Talleyrand, the Duke de la
ROchefocault and other noted erat0res used to
meet, to lament over the sad condition Of la belle
France and to critcise those who SO cordially well
coined them in the New World. Since then France
has been the scene OF many political changes but
many of her old historic families have maintained
their ascendency, and we now find the Marquis de
Noailles here as the diplomatic representative Of
the Theirs republic He is scholarly, agreeable
gentleman, with most charming wife, and they
are epdeavoring to restore
THE FRENCH LEGATION
to its original position as the home Of the Envoy
nately, the Marquis could not find a house which
suited him. and he had two adjacent dwellings
connected, which give him good deal Of room,
or rather good many rooms but they lack effect
and remind one OF an enlarged boarding house.
They are handsomely fitted up, though, and his
table ia almost equal to that OF N. de MontholOn
when he saved the Corcoran mansion from
being turned into hospital by throw
ing over 1t the diplomatic protection OF his
presence. The Marquis has been fortunate
in finding established here in semi oficial
position M. de Chambrun who became noted last
year from his connection with the sale OF arms to
France, and whose wife Is also connection OF the
Lafayettes. NJ. dc Chambrun is rant tsstime OF
Secretary Fish, Caleb Cushing Charles Sumner
and other leading men, to whom he retais the
gossip OF newspaper row, receiving In return
items oil news, which he carries to Fourteenth
street: Knowing everybody and known by every
one, he has been OF great assistance TO M. de
N0ailes and his charming vile, whose broken Eng
sh adds to the vivacity OF her remarks.
THE BRITISH LEGATION.
has been located for some years in the va-like
house originally BUILT by one OF the banker Riggs
Pittsburg, who anassed u torture by casting great
guns during the war. But KNAPP, after a residence
the British lions must ind another den. Sir
Edward Thornton Is very popular here, although
having been brought up from Infancy In diplomatic
service, he Is n0n-cOmmittal reserved and I'M
communicative. Bat Lady Thornten who has the
height and figure OF the ex-Empress Eugene, has
winsome, Scotch way that makes her favorte,
while, as devoted mother she rivals her Queen
Sir Edward spends his table-noney reg-
iousy in dining and winning congressman
and gives two or three stunning evening
parties at which the leeds are famous. When the
Prince was here and when the High Joints Illumi-
mated Washington with their presence the Thorn.
tons dad wonders In the way Of entertainment.
Every one hopes that they win ind good house,
and not only entertain, but furnish entertainment
by fresh Importation OF
sEOBBIsH YOUNG ATTACHES,
who evidently think that they are supported on
one side by the hon and on the other by the uni
corn as they swell about with small glasses pain
fully screwed into the left eye nnd p8ntalcons so
tight that they dare not sit down. The airs that
some Of these diplomatic gosIings put are faith
fully copied by a set of domestic duckllngs who
draw clerical pay In departments or banking
houses, but who affect TO be u creme de Ia creme or
washington society, while they are regarded by
the more sensible girls as mere skim-mk.
Blacque Bey Ii the doyen OF the dipI0mates and o
rather Imposing looking champion Of Mohammed.
Alas however, he is not a Moslem, but the son of
clever French editor named Black, who for years
published small newspaper at C0nstantinope,
amassing some property and diplomatic career
for his son. Blacque Beys fret vile was daughter
Of Or. Mott, encs famous physician In New York,
and her brother, General Motts js now high mill
tary cockaornm In the service " the KAedtye o.