The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-04
CAPITAL SOCIETY.
The Shadow Of Death saddening Life at tia
Republican Court : Charles Summers
Biographers-Charitable Entertain
ments-sport Along the Potomac.
WASHINGTON, April 2, 1874.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 1874
Our Lenten season OF penitcnce and PRAYER
was more than usually solemn this year, as the
angel OF death had cast deep shadows over the
metropolis. Senator Sumner, Judge Dent, who
was brother OF Mrs. Grant; the mother OF Gen.
eral Babcock, ana the father Of Mrs. Judge Fisher.
with scores or less prominent persons. have been
called TO their long homes. There we're also sim
cere regrets for the loss OF ex-President Fillmore,
who was popular occupant OF the White House,
ana who aided in the introduction OF pure water
during his administration.
CHARLES SUMNER
had passed so much Of the past quarter OF a Gen.
fury here-the last ten years as householder
that he was regarded as a citizen. or late the old
prejudices against him on account OF his OPT.
Mons had been dispelled, and the old families
treated him with great courtesy. Since his depo-
sltion from the Senate Committee on Foreign Rea-
tons he had occasionally dned out, and had
given TWO or three dinners q week to
a few friends. Among other literary curiosi-
ties which he has left IS Q printed copy OF
speech which he wrote In 1872, narratng
minutely the estrangement between himself and
Secretary Fish, seen from his standpoint He
intended TO have delivered II IN the Senate, and
mad II put into type at the office OF the Congress
SiongI Globe, that he might send slips In advance
10 the Ngw YORK HERALD and some other papers,
as his custom when he made prepared
speech But some OF his friends heard Of 1t and
persuaded him 10 keep 1t back Tor time. II has
never appeared.
SUMMERS BIoGRAruERs
will have such mass OF material especially OF
correspondence, as has never been LETT by any
man IN this country except Washington. DR..
Phelps OF Boston, began the task three or four
years ago, but was not acceptable to Summers
friends. c. Edwards Lester Is now engaged on
biography OF the Massachusetts Senator and
George Alfred Townsend is preparing record OF
his eyentful life.
CHARITABLE ENTERTAINMENTS
relieved the monotony Of Lent and aided the
treasures OF several charitable Institutions,
among them the "homes'' OF the Episcopal
churches. Four OF these entertainments, given
at the house OF Mrs. Admiral Dahgrcn, netted
nearly $1,000, and on Easter Monday there is to be
one at the house OF Mrs. Ross Ray, which Is ex-
pected to be very successful Soon after Easter
private theatricals will be given at Wizards Hall.
for the benefit OF the 'home" OF the Church Of the
Epiphany, in which the Misses Lorng and Calderon
Carlisle yin be the leading performers. And :nen'
on the til OF April will come the annual Charity
Ball, which is sure to be a success. As for
BALLS HOPS AND GERMANS,
they have been unknown since Ash Wednesday.
ana the poor old chaperons. who were jaded and
sitting up until two or three O'Clock, nodding in
time to the rhythm OF dance music. After Easter,
however, the old danes must resume their weary
duties, as there are to be q number OF entertain
ments, especially hOuse-warming ball at Senator
stewards magnificent new h60se on Naval Cifcsc;
and a ball by the Beales in the renovated Decatur
mansion on Lafayette square
EQUESTRIAN AND vEHICuLAR.
Meanwhile les denotselles have been regainng
health and color by out OF door exercises. Miss
Nellie Grant takes daily drive in her phaeton and
there are score OF other young ladies who may be
seen driving their teams every pleasant afternoon
Jew prefer the saddle, but the society men don't
fancy escortng them, as the hire OF horses is ex-
pensive and riding gets their exquisite pantaloons
out Of shape, you know.
COMING EVENTS.
Society is rejoicing over the announcement that
Mrs. General Williams previously Mrs. stephen A.
Douglas) is soon to return here on visit, after
quite an exile at some prairie post where her hns
band is stationed. We have also Mrs Chief Justice
Waite, VINO will occupy the lower story OF the
Pomeroy house. now portion OF the Arlington.
And it is whispered that q gallant naval oficer
viii soon wed daughter OF gallant General OF the
army, thus uniting the two arms Of the service.
PIsCAToRIAL
The disciples Of Izaak Walton have always been
thy Pickering Daniel Webster and Chancellor
Blob Below the city the Potomac IS well stocked
with shad and herring, large quantities OF which
are caught in nets; while at the Little Falls, just
above Georgetown those who ''throw the ny" find
striped and black bass and an occasional salmon.
while trout are found toward Harper's Ferry. In
aatebeta,t times parties of citizens and Congress
men used TO charter a steamboat for Saturdays
excursion TO the fishing grounds below Mount ver-
non, taking along caterer, walters cooks, liquors
and PLAYING cards. Poker and juips enlivened the
trip down. and the feature of the feast was planked
shad the ish being split open, nailed around the
edges 10 a seasoned oaken board and roasted be-
fore wood fire just as johnnycake is baked. It
was treat for epcures ana after 1t had been well
washed down poker and Julps enlivened the home
ward trip. As the wharf was neared the remain
ing stock OF liquors was measured and an assess
ment was then made on each one Of the party for
his pro rata share OF all expenses, which was
always paid.
DEADHEAD DINNERS
were unknown IN those days, but now at least a
score OF congressman and other high officials are
dned and wined every day at Welcker's-the large
private room being thus made q Gogotha, or place
OF skulls. The most noted OF the hospttalious lob
byisis has the legs OF the leading men OF the land
under MS table, and the creme de la creme OF the
diplomatic corps enjoy his repasts, SO charmingly
seasoned with Attic salt. Nor does ne ever solicit
vote in return or directly ask any favor although
he may adroItly mould the opinions Of his guests
on important topics.
GENERAL sCHENCK
has been warmly greeted here and has every night
met some OF hts old Congressional friends at din
ner Sir Edward Thornton gave him splendid
bsnquet Tor the General has always spoken well OF
sir Edward in London. and mas done some Kind acts
for him there General Schcnck has been improved
in personal appearance by British beef and beer,
and is in excellent spirits. One OF his best stories Is
that OF his imitation OF Of the nobility into tho
MYSTERIES OF draw poker.
THE LATE EMPEROR NAPOLEON III.