Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-01-06

Marriage and Death Notices, when not exceed
ing eight lines fifty cents.
Geo. WusAington'> New Years Day.
From the New York Evening Post.
The levees of President Washington were far
more select and rational than those OF his sue
cessors have been for the last few years. They
were numerousy attended by all who were
fashionable and refined of society but there
we're no places for the intrusion OF the rabble
in crowds, or for the coarse and boistrous par
tisan-the vulgar electioneerer-or the lmpu-
dent place-huuter, with boots and frock- coat
or with patched kuees, and holes at both
elbows. On the contrary they were select and
more courtly than have been given by any one
holding the same office since, Proud OF her
husbands exalted fame and jealous OF the
.honors due not only to his own lofty character,
but to the dignifed station to which gratel ul
country had called him, Mrs. Washington was
careful in her drawing rooms to exact those
courtesies to which she knew the President Was
entitled
Fortunately, moreover the rudeness Of the
present day had not then 80 far gained the as
cendancy as to Danish good manners, and the
charms of social intercourse were heightened
by reasonable attention in the best circles to
these forms and usagcs which indicate the
weIl-bred asseublage, and throw around it an
air of elegance and grace which only the en-
vious affect to decry, and only the vul gar ridi'
Guile and coutemn None, therefore, were ad
mtted to the levees but those who had either
right by official station to be there, or were
entitled to the privilege by established merit
and character and full dress was required OF
all. Some show, if not of state, at least of res
pect, for the high Office to be visited, was ex-
acted down to the close of Mr. Madison's ad
mn;stration. Mr.. Monroe required less for:
mality and attention to dress, aud the second
President Adams less still.
Mrs. Washington, was pleasing and agree
able rather than brilliant woman. Her fig
ure was not commanding but her manners
were easy, conclatory, and attractive Her
domestic arrangements we're always concerned
under her own eye, and everything within her
household moved forward with the regularity
of machinery No daughter of Eve ever wor-
shipped her lord with more sincere and attec-
tionate veneraton: and none had ever greater
cause to render homage When absent he was
ever in her thoughts and her mild eyes kin
died at his presence. She was well educated,
and possessed strong native sense, guided by all
necessary prudence and discretion. She rarely
converscd upon political subjects, aud when
the most expert diplomatlsts would attempt to
draw her out, she had the faculty OF turning
the conversation with equal dexterity and po-
n,encss. At all the President entertainments,
whether at the table or in the drawing room,
notwithstanding the regard to etiquette here
tofore reverted to. there was nevertheless SO
much kindness of feeling displayed, and such
an unaffected degree of of genuine hospitality,
that golden opinions were won alike from tue
foreign and domestic visitors.
In those days, also, late hours were uot neces
sary, and many of our fair metropolitan readers
who are in the habit of dressing at 10 to enter
drawing room at |, will doubtless be surprs-
cd to learn that Mrs Washington s levces clos
cd always at g. ;,
This was rule which that distinguished
lady established on the occasion OF holding her
first levce On the evening OF Jan, |, 1870.
The Presidents residence was IN the old Frank
lin House in this city at the head OF Cherry
street The day was uncommoDly mild and plea,
SAINT. The moon was full, and the air was so bland
and serene that the ladies attended IN their light
summer dresses Having been introduced by
the aides and gentlemen in waiting, tea, coffee,
plain and plum cake were handed round:
Familiar and friendly conversation ensucd, and
kind inquiries on the part of Mrs Washington
after the families Of the eXllcs, with whom she
had been acquainted during the Revolutionary
War and who always received marked attention
from Gen. Washington Mrs. Washington
stood by the side cfthe General in receiving the
RESPECTS of the visitors. Amid the social chit
chat of the evening the clock struck 0. Mrs:
Washington thcrupon rose with dignity, and
looking around the circle with complacent
smile, observed, The General always retlres
at Q, and l usually precede him. AT this
hint the ladies instantly rose, adjusted their
dresses, made their salutations, and retired.
Gen. Washington had on that day been wait
ed upon by the principal gentlemen OF the city
according to the ancient New York custom OF
social and convivial New \ lear's visiting, After
having been severalIy introduced, and having
paid the usual compliments of the season, the
citizens iutcrchanged greetings and withdrew
highly gratifcd BY the friendly notice OF the
President, to most of whom he was personally
stranger. In the course ofthc evening, while
sneakinc of the occurrences Of the day, Mrs.
WashinSton remarked "Ofall the incidents
of the day, none so pleased the General, by
which title she always designated, him as the
friendly greeting eff the gentlemen who visited
him at noon TO the inquiry OF the President
whether it was casual or acustonary, ne was
answered that it was an annual custom
derived from our Detch fore fathers when
had always been commemorated from thc
earliest beginnings of New Amsterdam. M
After a short pause he Observed: u Inc
highly favored situation of New York WILL 10
the process of years attract numerous lmh'
grants, who will gradually change Its aucleno
customs and manners; but whatever changes
take place never forget the cordial cheertul
observance of New Years Day