Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-22
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Lenfen Observanees-The Approach
ing Marriage at the White House.
An Historical ParalIeI-Other white
o House Incidents.

An Historical ParalIel-Ofher White
House Incidents.
From the New York Graphic
WASHINGTON, March 9-Lent is pro.
crossing quietly enough to suit the
strictest ideas as TO It's being a season
of abstinence. There is abstinence
shown in the invitations issued and the
infrequency of occurrence; but for the
chosen few who are invited to stray
suppers, lunches, or dinners there is no
suggestion of fasting being the order of
the hour. The Chief Justice, though
an Episeopalian, observant of the
doctrines of his church, is by
no means allowed to fast In
public, whatever he may see fit
to do in private. All the carnal Joys
which meats daintily served suggest
are thrust upon him by those who seek
to do him honor. A supper at a late
hour in the evening, lunch in the af-
ternoOn of the next day, followed by a
dinner three or four hours afterwards,
give some idea of the perils of indiges-
ton, TO say nothing of ecclesiastical
discipline, to which a fresh ''ion' is
substituted in the capital. Mr.. William
NJ. Evarts ON his recent visit here had
a share of these honors. Mr.. Evarts
had an especial fondness for tea, and it
is laughingly said of him that when he
receives invitations for conflicting hours
he always gives preference TO the host
or hostess whose tea he has previously
proved to be of the best.
Miss Grant and her afianced lover
are also the recipients of numerous in
vitations to Lenten lunches and the
like. Gen. BabcOck gave a dinner IN
their honor last Saturday. It is now
said that the marriage is fixed for next
month, and the names of the brides
maids are given. These are the Misses
Borie Of Philadelphia, nieces Of the ex-
Secretary of the Navy; Miss Drexel,
daughter of the Philadelphia banker;
Miss Kitty Cooke, daughter of the ex-
banker Henry d. Cooke, and Miss Anna
Barnes, daughter of the Surgeon Gen.
eral. l have not vet heard the names
of the groomsmen. OF course, Col.
Fred. Grant win be Miss Cookies
groomsman; she is his fndRcee
The secret of the engagement
was well kept, until the arrival in Phil
adelphia of Miss Fanny Kemble, who
is Mr.. Sartoris' aunt. She mentioned
the fact first. When the elder Mr..
Sartoris and his son met Miss Grant on
the steamer coming from England last
October year, they we're on their way to
Michigan, where Mr.. Sartoris owns
lands, and where he intended to locate
this, his second, son, In that State, for
him to earn his own living. The sud
den death of the eldest son took place
while they were travelling IN the West,
and a telegram was sent 10 President
Grant to learn their whereabouts and
inform them of the sad news. OF
course they returned TO England I'M
mediately upon receipt of this intelh-
gence.
This is the second wedding at the
White House since Il was built for the
use of the Chief Magistrate. The first
was that Of President Monroe's daugh-
ter, Miss Maria Monroe, who married
her cousin. Mr.. Gouverneur, Of New
York, IN March, 1920. In that delight
full book, the biography of William
Winston Seaton, the following mention
of this wedding occurs IL one Of Mrs.
SeatOn's letters
'Maria Monroe is to be married on
Tuesday to her cousin, young Gouver-
neur. The following day a brilliant
drawing-room will be held and the i'm
mense hall room opened. The marriage
10 be entirely private"
Under the date of March %, 1920,
Mira. Seaton writes:
''The New York style was adopted at
Maria Monroe's wedding. Only the
attendants, the relations, and few old
friends of the bride and groom wit
messed the ceremony; and the brides
maids were told that their company
would be dispensed with until the fol-
lowing Tuesday, when the bride would
receive visitors. Accordingly all who
visit at the President's paid their re-
spects to Mrs. Gouyerneur, who pre-
sided Ia her mothers place on this
evening, while Mrs. Monroe mingled
with the other citizens. Every visitor
was led to the bride and introduced in
all form. But the bridal festivities
have received a check, which will pre-
vent any further attention to the Presi-
dents family, in the murder of Decatur.
The first ball, and which we attended,
consequent on the wedding was given
by the DecatuTs. Invitations were out
from Van Ness, Commodore Porter,
etc, all Of which We've Femanded on so
fatal Q catastrophe 10 the man identified
with the glorious success Of his country
in the late wal"
AS weddings occur at the White
Houseffty -four years apart, let Us hope
nothing will occur TO disturb the fes-
tivities in honor of She coming event.
If the history of the White House
tells of but one wedding, ittellsof many
funerals, Two Presidents have died.
within its walls, and third assassin
ated (eisewhere), laid "in state" to hold
his last '.levee" in the East Room. Sew
eral children have died there. and only
one birth has occurred. This one baby
of the White House vas the son, James
Madison, of Mrs. Randolph, who was
herself the daughter of Thomas Jeffer-
son, then President. A dear old lady
who has passed all her life in Washing
ton, and been on intimate terms with
the families Of most Of the Presidents,
gives me this information,
@