Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-01-04
ooOrgo WashIneton.s New-Yoar.
AniAmeriean Presidents Reception, d. ne Days
of DecOF1tgi ilH r1ut...

Of DecorttM aHn7ut..
From the New York Evening POST
The levees of President Wellington were far
more select and rational than those OF his success
sors have been for the last few years. They were
attended by oil who were fashionable
and refined of society hut there were no places
for the intrusion Of the rabbe in crowds, or for
the more course and boistetous partisan- the Vui-
gar eiectoneer-or the iinpudent pace-huntsr,
with boots and frock-coat, or with patched knees,
and holes at both elbows On the contrary, they
wero select and more COurtly than have been given
by any one holding the same Office since Proud
OF her husband ds exalted fame, and jealous Of the
honors due not only to his own lofty character but
TO the dignitied station to which grateful coun-
try had called him, Mrs. Washington was careful |
iii her drawing rooms TO exact those eourtesies to
which she knew the President was entitled.
Fortunately, moreover, tAe rudeness Of the |
present day had not then so far gained the ascend
ancy as to Danish good Manners, and the charms |
of social Intercourse were heightened by rea- |
sonabe attention in the best circles to those forms
and usages which. indicate the well-bred Assem-.
blage, and throw Around Il an air Of eleaahcs And
grace which only the enVous affect to decry, and
only the vulgar ridicule and conteann None,
| therefore were admitted to the leyees but these
who had either right by Official station to be
there, or we're entitled to the privilege by estab
lished merit and character and full dress was re-
quired Of ali. Some show, il not of State, at
least OF respect, for the high officer 10 be visited,
was exacted down to the close Of Mr.. Madison's
administration. Mr.. Monroe required less for
mahty and attention 10 dress, and tho second
President Adams, less still: ,gfF.ft
Mrs. Washington was pleasing and agreeable
rather than brilliant woman Her hgnfe was
not commanding, but her manners were easy con-
cllatory, and attractive Her domestic arrange
ments were always concerted under her own eye,
AMI everything within her household moved for.
ward with the regularity OF machinery. No
daughter OF Eve Worshiped her lord with
more sincere and ahectionate yeneration; and none
had ever greater cause TO render homage. When
absent he was ever ia her thoughts, and her mild
leyes kindled at his presence. She was we'll edu-
Gated and possessed strong native sense guided by
| all necessary prudence and discretion. She rarely
conversed upon political subjects, and when the
most expert dIplomatists would attempt to draw
her out, she had the faculty CT turning the con-
! versatioH with equal dsxterity and politeness.-
r At all the Presdents entertainments, whether al
the table or i'll the drawing room, notwithstanding
the regard to etiquette heretofore reverted othere
was nevertheless 90 much kindness OF feeling dis
I played, and'sueh an unaheeted degree of genuine
e hospitality that golden opinions were won alike
!, from the foreign and domestic visitors.
= In those days,also,late hours were not necessary
: and many OF our fair metropolitan readers wit
are in the habit OF dressing at TO- 10 enter draw
ng-room at eleven will doubtless be surprised +
v learn that Mrs Washington's levees closed Away
ut nine. ID Ht fFEH l8E
This was q rule which that distinguished lad,
established the occasion of holding her first 10
idents residence was in the old Franklin House il
:. this city, ut the head OF Cherry street, The dal
n was uncommonly mild and pleasant, The mool
was full, and the air so bland and serene tina
IthBlahie attended in thcir light summer dresses
!, HIIating been introduce by the aids and gsnteme
. in waiting tea, coffee, PLATA and plam cake weT
e handed round. Familiar and friendly converse
ton ensued. and kind inquiries on tho part of Mr.
!, Washington atterthe families of the exiles, wit
h whom sue had bean acquainted daring the ReVC
war VIII al lOav
attention from General Washington Mrs. Wash
ngton stool by the aide u the General in TecelN
ing the respects OF visitors. Amid the social chi
chat Of the evsnlngrthe clock struck Dine. MIR
n, Washington theretfpon rose with dignity, an
he looking round the cirCle with GoMRlacsnt Smil
~ observed, "fhe General always retres at nine, an
10 usually pTecede him." At this hint the ladl
s, instantly rose, adjusted their dresses made the
ed lsalutatons aud retired
nc General Washington had on that day bee
ne waited upon by the principal gentlemen
the city, according to the ancient New YOI
ct. custom of social and cOnvivial New Year
Y, Visiting, After having been seyerally Intr
. duced, and, having paid the usual compliment
of the season, the citizens interchanged gre
ltings and withdrew, highly gratihed by u
friendly notice of the President, to most
whom he was personally a stranger In Il
course of the evening while speaking OF II
ge occurrence of the day, Mis-. Washingt6
he remarked: "Of all the Incidents Of the da
Dse none so pleased the General (by which tit
lel she always designated hlm) as the friend
lat greeting of the gentlemen who visited hi
ur- ut noon" To the inquiry of the FreSideI
lce WhetheT is WAS CASUAL 0y customary he, W
he answered that twas an annual custom del
EN- we'd from our Dutch forefatheFs, whicho b
m. always been eOmmemOrated from the earliC
IN beginnings OF New Amsterdam. After sh(
all pause he observed; 1.-The highly favor
'as situation Of New York viii, In the process
,eu years, attract numerous Immigrants, who
W gradually change its ancient customs q
h manners but whatever changes take plai
< uever forget the cordial, cheerful Observable
Iho of New Year's daYI,