Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-01-30
A Letter from Richmond.
UPPER FRANKLIN STREET,
RICHMOND. Jan. IS. 1871.

Nix DEAR D.:-Of course when married
Mr. Whimper I expected him to rise in the
world, but | was scarcely sanguinc enough to
hope that he would become a member Of the
Virginia Legislature. Well it has made me a
happy woman, for, Dear ID, you know was al
ways fond of society, and my highest wishes in
this respect have been gralted. MIR. W hlmpcr
belongs to the House OF Delegates, and some
times takes nc up there when they are III scs-
sion, and that uice Culpeper gentleman, Col:
Crittcndcn, who is the sexton, gives inc SOFT
seat under the colored gallery, where have
such delightful time | love to see MI. Speaker,
with bis dander up, ruling that the rough look
ing members are not in order. What business
have they to be in order, when they come there
with their hair all frowzed, and their shirts all
musscd up, aud their eyes and noses red. | do
declared should be ashamed OF Mr. Whlmper
if he were to do SO, but he would do SO It |
didn't watch him. for when he goes to the
committee meetings, for the railroad var, or to
visit the General, down at the hotel, l have
sometimes noticed the smell OF liquor about
him, and that is at the bottom Of ne;Ly all dirty
shirts and red noses, and 1t has grleved me very
much The truth is the railroad wars cause
me to shed many tears; though Mr. Whlnper
says thoy will be the making OF our future, and
when we leave here, he will have money enough
to buy Pluggetts house, aud the little farm OH
the other side of the creek, which, | am sure,
will be doing very well, considering that he
only gets Sc day, aud we have to pay board
and rs cents dozen for washing, not;lncludin
shirts. which are ten cents piece, not counting
in collars or cuffs Some Of tire members of the
House of Delegates are very good looking; some
have one KIDD Of hair and eyes, and some
another. Mr.. Gilman, Who Is the incest looking
man from Richmond, and MIR. Hanger who
lives in Staunton, have different kinds; the one
is a brunett the other blonde, but both are
pretty | went to the theatre Saturday night,
which must be the fashionable night here, (peo-
ole in Richmond don't darn socks Saturday
night for | saw Gov. Walker and Assistant
Governor Owens there in a private box; the
Governor didn't want to be admired that time,
for he hid his handsome face behind the cur
tain; but, dear me, Dir. Owens didn't seem to
care Il 6g who looked at him. Mr. Whimper
says opinion is divided as to who is the better
Looking, MIR. Walker or Governor Owens; but
though their styles of beauty are not similar, |
think the Governor Is the charlnlngest AT the
theatre there arc three floors, as | sing-''up
stairs, down stairs and the gallery" The
ladies and their escorts all sit up stairs, and
the unprotected members OF the Legislature
and some seedy looking persons 60 down stairs.
When the curtain falls between the acts, all the
men grab vi their hats, and run as it there was
fire, at which | used to get frightened, but
having beeo at the theatre several times, un-
derstand now, though think they ought not
to do it quite so often. MIR. DeNeale is the
Youngest member of the body to which my hus-
band beloogs-House of Delegates | mean
and he is a sweet fellow. who always stands up
straight, and looks like an Episcopal minister,
and wears a clean shirt and keeps his coat
brushed neatly, and if h. isn't married he
ought to be, tor he would make love of a
husband. In the Senate the members look fat
and sleek and self com I.laceut and they most
always sit with their leg, thrown on top their
desks. with the soleS OF their boots confronting
the presiding officer who, being obliged to look
at them for hours together, has DO doubt, By
this time, found out the numbers of the boots
worn by each one The House members APP
pear hungry when they are talking about oys-
ter bills. But good gracious what am doing,
when | have got to rip my blue silk to pieces
aud make IL over TO wear to the bali next week,
aud | shall have to close rig hit here IN the md
die of what | was going TO say, and SO hasten
10 add, Yours faithfully and forever
go Oily D. !,
P. S. The fashion here is for young ladies
to wear false grey trizzies, which gives them
very subdu2d appearance, and is very taking.
They dress their hair high, with curfs, and
don't wear much of it, IL. u.