The New York herald., 1873-12-27
SOCIAL CHIT-CHAT.
The Supreme Court, Scientific and Mill
tary coterics In Neutrality-suspicious.
Women and Smart Takers.

The Supreme Court, Scientific and Mill
tary Coteries In Washington-smart
Women and Smart Takers.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1879
The ladies OF the Supreme Court come next in
precedence to those or the diplomatic corps and
rule in small legal circle which regards the judi
ciary as the highest power the Republic--able to
annul the laws which Congress has enacted and
the President has signed. When Chief Justice
Chase was on the Bench mis- eldest daughter, Mrs.
Senator SpraRue used to boldly have receptions on
the same afternoons as those OF Mrs. President
Grant, and as there were music, dancing and well
spread buffet at the residence OF the Chief Justice.
no wonder that the young dancers were attracted
there rather than to the inhospltable and formal
saloons OF the White House. Now that
THE coSuSDRUN OF THE DAY
is, "Who shall Chief JusticeSn le beau monde Is
enlisted in favor Of Williams Not that he has legal
lore or clean hands, but because he has just moved
into nne new house on Rhode Island avenue, where
his wife viii have stunning entertainments. This
gives Williams the support OF those who dance the
German and like something stronger than
claret punch. Besides, have they not
heard that had not Williams received
the appointment 1t would have been
given TO Caleb Cushing, that hermit like old wild
over, who sleeps in his back office and wears on
state occasions claw-hammer coat made when
John Tyler was Presidenti Some OF the dowagers
made fuss about the appointment OF Judge VIII
liams, but the dancing portion Of Vanity Fair urge
his confirmation. Will 1t be done
THE CHIEF JUSTICE PRO TEMroRE
is the senior Justice, clifford, OF Maine who mea-
sures almost 80 inches around the waistband and
is a sedate, solemn old slow coach. He boards
with his wife at the National Hotel, where he en-
joys Tenneys best cheer, and wonders why the
people would amend the constitution, thus giving
the Supreme Court deal of trouble. Justices
Swayne, Field. Strong and Bradley are each accom-
PANIED by wife and daughter, and MI. Justice
Hunt has his Vile here As each one OF these ladies'
is at home on 81
SUPREME COURT DAT,
they collect quite little coterie IN their drawing
rooms. Those members OF the Bar who practise
before the Supreme Court or course pay their re-
spects to the ladies OF its Justices, and the rem
nants OF dntebellxns society may be found with
them. Everything is ponderous and puffy, and It
Is said that some OF the ladies wear dresses made
from the cast or black silk robes Of the Justices;
but don't believe this. OF course this ''set don't
want to be led by so active and attractive woman
as Mrs. Williams, and they doing what they
can against the confirmation or the Judge, aided
by Marshal OF the Court Nicoay, and Assistant
Attorney General Hill.
edt Il THE BREvEr JUDICIARY rs
Is composed OF the Judges or the Court or Claims
and OF the Judges OF the District Courts. The
charming family OF Judge LOring is affiliated with
olassed among those whom zone has TO askniwhen
invitations are sent out 10 general party, The
idea that W their r he ad Judge, David i'd K. Carter.
might be nominated, should Williams not be con-
frmed Chief Justice Of the United States. He
might also be struck by lightning. sstr oEt -
SCIENTIFIC EXPLORERS
about this time OF the year iniest Washington,
each one with an account Of wnat ne has. dlscoy:
course they expect Uncle Sam's topographic dis
burser, Capp to print their books and 1t is hinted
that soon after each volume appears some valuable
mining land mentioned in 1T Is offered for sale. or
course the explorer doesn't profit thereby Oh,
no He Is like the Briton OF whom the poet said
g. Lieutenant Brand, the great and grand. +st rs
Some Fe ;ss notes 5 he tpS9s S and Wrote book
Some OF these birds OF passage have accumulated
handsome fortunes. and 1t is curious fact that
the regions visited Is entirely new and original,
each one being concocted In the imagination OF the
explorer" !" rather than the recorded observauons
these MuRcnauSenS we have
TIE SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE,
with swaggerinQ stride, sunburned countenances,
heavy mustaches, seedy undress uniforms and no
visible linen. Like the condotteri Of the Middle
courage and their blood to the organizers any nl
Dustering expedition. or they will diyulge the
bered diplomates VINO desre 10 prove their zeal to
their home governments. The avarice and selfish
ness OF these Dugald Dalgetty6 Is often exposed.
But they continue to fnd dupes and to enjoy the
delights Of the metropolis with light hearts.
MEMS DINNER PARTIES
were first introduced here during the connection OF
the Alabama treaty, as II had not been considered
civil previously to invite man without also ask
ing his wife. They have been growing in favor,
and IL Is now considered "the thing" to invite ten
or . dozen OF The sterner sex around the festive
board, taking care 70 have one or two good gossip
ping takers, whose piquant remarks navOr the
iced. Some OF these agreeable companions liter.
ally talk their way through life, and sensper
pGr1tuS whenever asked. Their clever chat Is
peciay well calculated to soften the most obdu-
rate Congressman and to season his enjoyment OF
the luxuries Of life that at the proper time he
will vote for the little bill recommended by his
host The legislation OF the coming session Is to
shaped ct ailper tables, and good cooks are just