The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-27
f, WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
A Lady's Reflections on Life
at the Capital.
TEARING OFF THE MASK OF HUMBUG
A Severe Review of the Men and
Women of Society.
What the Best People are Made Of-Adventur-
ers Of Both Sexes Officers Whose Offence
10 Rank''-Diplomatic Darlings-The
Ridiculoumeu Of Receptions


Ridiculoumess Of Receptions.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 1879.
Said New York lady to member Of the HERALD
corps Of observation few nights ago, "You cor
respondents who do society," believe that the
professional term-have much to answer for to the
public. You MI the inner pages OF your newspa-
pers, where women always look for news, with
pictures Of social like at washington that, II not
wholly fancifu are SO highly colored as to be quite
as deceptive, SO bringing disappointment on many
who come here In ignorance OF what society life
really Is, but with expectations highly wrought
through the influence OF your weekly JeutIetofss.
Assuming that special degree Of interest attaches
to the sayings and doings and the wearings Of
tain people, because, in sort another, they
belong to the government you busy yourselves,
day by day, in writing up romantic accounts Of
social transactions that at their very best, but
weak limitations variations Of society life among
the upper classes OF New York, Philadelphia
and Boston, though these latter have no
thought OF letting their transactions get into
the papers If they can help it. Why, even at Bati-
more, within forty miles Of US, there is society
that scarcely furnishes an item year to the re-
porters; yet 1t Is at least the equal Of the az
glomerate affair you have here, in rank culture
or social INTEREST," Go further and take st. Louis
and its upper rank, or, easier done, draw out Mrs.
Sherman and hear her confess as
THE SUN OF HER THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE
OF Washington, that she would gladly take the
General back to their old home IL his army duties
permitted or the President would consent to part
with his trusty friend and lieutenant. New Or
leans forbear to mention in contrast, for her
first circles, being foreign In extraction and tone,
are native-born to the best traits and habits
I nd.
init that Chicago is worse than washington,
her best people being as eager for printed
pufery, and not half as deserving OF it AS
for myself, came here few weeks ago, in full
flment Of long borne intention to spend one sea-
son with an old and dear friend but am going to
| pack my Saratogas and get back to New York just
! as soon as can do 1t without rudely shaking
up lifelong friendship. As for my friend, If she
could 60 too am she would be glad to do 1t !;
| but here she has her home and social duties,'
| which arc so only In name, that she cannot con-
sent to neglect. II like you, had to write about
society at Washington, and dared to tell the truth,
as understood the truth, Ishould say that on the
| surface social .t.. Is
LIFE WAS RToLERABLY DULL
and anything but social in the best and true sense
and that below the surface was either amentably
corrupt or most shockingly selfslandered. don't
pretend to decide which. am only chance OBJ
server and listener but mistake not what see.
and only the half Of what hear be true then say
both. To me 1t seems as II the social life OF the
capital were but continuation Of its political life,
the scene being shifted from the public to the pri-
vate quarters OF the city and the family circles
pressed into service as helpers OF course, at the
political centre Of q great and busy nation, and
| especially a nation that follows legislation and
0fice-h0lding as . calling 30 extensively our
own, we may expect to ind adventurers
4 OF outward respectabIlty to get among honest
| people, such are some OF the young women and
that we see IL Senate .se recepea
room, or In the corridor leading out OF 1t into
Senate chamber; also many among the swarm or
| men that cluster about the door OF the House,
! kept back by the clasped hands OF the two door
Keepers. do not refer to these, however, but to
| people who answer all the
| EXTERNAL REQUIREMENTS OF SOCIAL RESPECT
ABILITY
! and about whom none but people equally respect
| ape presume to talk and then only In confidence,
with much hall statement and disclaiming Qf
responsibility for the facts the rest being sug
descend TO names and particulars, OF course, and
/ seriously doubt II you can need my Information
concerning what society here says about itself up
and down stairs, when 1t has its wrappers and
| slippers on and mo company in the house. l
came here prepared TO believe and to worship, but
! no sooner do set up society idol and begin to
| pay homage to its special attributes than some
| body, lin confidence Overturns IT, and assum-
edly, upon the best motives; True, ! accept the
I
| generally remainder OF circumstanJal evidence
sunlcient to awaken much doubt as to whether
things are any more what they Scent here
| than elsewhere, II rs much The number OF
PERSONS FIGURING IN THE SOCIETY COLUMNS
uer pnSe
comfortably large and 1t Is an added discomfort to
reject upon the number OF gratuitous historians,
duh matter-Offact mortal as am, could from pres
| ent resources-and my facts inv0luntarily grow
| with my growth In s0ciety-undertake TO supply
| In. MANAGERS
| OF the Dalyan school with plots enough for society
plays till Filth Avenue Theatres shall Phoenix no
stage become greatgrandmOthers or mummies.
The action OF the dramas would be a little Old I'M
human I PASSIONS UPON human foIlies, but wRis an
Infinite variety OF incident the best substitute Tor
novelty complete ,, sn,,,
| Turned back little In her recital by brief re-
mark OF the deeply interested correspondent, this
tnued :"l said that the external aspect Of society
| here was intoerably dull, and repeat 1t. Look,
I for instance, at that much Wanted specially,
the weekly reception business What Is there In
In 1t OF pleasure or profit for anybody, unless it
need Of SeneVoIencs in that direction Is matter
| OF personal opinion Last Monday, for instance
with my hostess and another lady, and . chance
along to p'atronize' the party, was driven east
ward, towards and beyond the Capitol to attend
| the receptions OF Mrs. Judge Bradley and Mrs.
Judge Field, and thence, descending In the Official
scale OF rank, to several army and navy houses,
| well AZ 10 IFlnR IN Tue easteTn part 0i tn0
city, whose only chance OF filling their streets with
carriages and their houses with people is to inter-
cept the tide OF visitation as IL rolls from the home
of the Judges to the Navy Yard Most OF the people
met, as went from house to house, had but
lately parted with. and ! expected TO meet them
all again during almost every day and evening OF
the week, to say nothing OF the week afterwards
As conversation OF some kind seemed to be the
| only refuge for everybody short Of
| STUPID SILENCE AND AN OwL-LIKE BLINKING
| at the gaslights, everybody dashed into 1t with
everybody they met and finding nothing to say
afterthe FIRST lew efforts, dashed out OF 1t and the
house together as quickly AS they COULD or course
I the ladies who received were, At the bottom, no
better of than those called but the necessity
! OF saying something to everybody made brevity
! ana repetition venial sins with them, and gave
| rassment. Then, at the end OF all there was the
counting and rec0unting OF carriages and callers
| that he m tpstifv