Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-01-24

llllIu eyes -klnuleu aI MS presence
She was we'll educated, and possessed
strong native sense, guided by all ne
cessary prudence and discretion. She
rarely conversed upon political SUBJ
jects, and when most expert diploma
lists would attempt to draw her out,
she had the faculty of turning the con-
yersation with equal dexterity and
lpoliteness. At all the Presidents en-
tertainments, whether at the table or
in the draWing-room, notwithstanding
the regard to etiquette heretofore re-
verted to, there was nevertheless so
much kindness offeeling displayed, and
such an unaffected degree of genuine
hospitality, that golden opinions were
won alike from the foreign and domes-
tic visitors. go .-ss1s.. -. s.s
L. those days, also, late hours were
not necessary, and many of our fair
metropolitan readers who are in the
habit Of dressing at 10 to enter a draw
ing-room at II, will, doubtless, be
surprised to learn that Mrs. Washing
toms levees closed always at 9.
This was rule which that distin-
guished lady established on the occa-
sion of holding her first levee on the
evening of January 1, 1890. The
Presidents residence was in the old
Franklin House in this city, at the
head of Cherry street. The day was
uncommonly mild and pleasant. 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 gen
tlemen in waiting, tea, coffee, plain and
plum cake were handed round. Fa-
miliar and friendly conversation ensu-
ed. and kind inquiries on the part of
Mrs. Washington after the families of
the exiles, with whom she had been
acquainted during the Revolutionary
war, and who always received marked
attention from General Washington.
Mrs. Washington stood by the side Of
the General in receiving the respects
of visitors. Amid the social chit-chat
of the evening the clock struck o.
Mrs. Washington thereupon rose with
dignity, and looking around the circle
with a complacent smile, observed -
'"The General always retires at 9, and
| usually precede him. At this hint
the ladies Instantly rose, adjusted their
dresses, made their salutations and re-
tired.
General Washington had on that
day been waited upon by the principal
gentlemen Of the city, according to the
ancient New York custom of social
and convivial New Years visiting
After having been severally y introduced,
and, having paid the usual compli-
ments of the season, the citizens inter-
changed greeting and withdrew, highly
gratitied by the friendly notice of the
President, to most of whom he was
personally a stranger. In the course
of the evening, while speaking of the
occurrence of the day, Mrs. Washing
ton remarked: "Of all the incidents
of the day, none so pleased the General
(by which title she always designated
him) as the friendly greeting of the
gentlemen who visited him at noon."
To the inquiry of the President, wheth-
er it was casual or customary, he was
answered that it was an annual custom
derived from our Dutch forefathers,
which had always been commemorated
from the earliest beginnings of New
Amsterdam. After a short pause he
observed: 'The highly favored situa-
ton of New York will, in the process
of years, attract numerous immigrants,
who will gradually change its an
cient customs and manners; but what
ever changes take place, never forget
the social, cheerful observance of New
Years Day."
LETTER FROM WAsHINGToN's MOTHER.
[From the American Historical Record.
July 2, 1850.
Dear Brother this CONS by Capt Nickle-
son you seem to blame me for not writing
to you butt | doe ashour you it is Note for
wante of a very great regard for you & the
family but as Don't ship tobacco the Cap
tain Never calls on me soc that never
know when tina com or when tina goe be-
lieve you have got very good overseer at
tnlS quarter now capt. NefOIOn mas. taken
Large lease of ground from you which l
Dear say if you had been hear yourself it
had not been Don Mr. Daniel & his wife &
family is we'll Cozen Hannah has been mar
ried & Lost her husband She has one child
a boy pray give my Love to sister Ball 6
Mr.. Downman s. his Lady & am Dear
Brother
your Loving Sister -.
MARY WASHINGTON.