Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-01-26
CABINET MEMBERS WIVES.


must give you, writes Washing
ton correspondent, some idea Of what
nm arduous business falls TO the lot OF
the wife Of member of the Cabinet.
Every one, without limitation, is privi-
legged TO call on these ladies on their
reception days, and as custom has made
tbe returning OF all these calls obliga.
tory, when three hundred additions AT
least are made 10 their visiting lists
every Wednesday, the labor involved
in making the proper acknowledgment
is easily imagined. From one thou
sand five hundred TO two thousand FIVE
hundred names on their visiting list is
the ordinary number. Several years
age lovely lady, since dead, who then
occupied one of these harrassing posi-
tions, gave me some idea Of her daily
life, and as her successors Of the pres
ent winter are no less taxed, l will re-
peat her words; ~ order my carriage"
she said, "for twelve o'clock every day,
no matter what the weather may be,
and begin calling. Noon is a little
early to begin, but have no choice,
and ! continue on my rounds until
dark. On returning homo / have no
time to rest, but, changing my visiting
costume for an evening toilet, go to
state dinner party, and Immediately
on the conclusion Of the feast begin my
round of gaslight reception and balls"
So many invitations are showered up
on these ladies that they are compelled
to keep n book in which to register
their engagements, not daring to trust
the fulfllment of them to an overtaxed
memory.
If any one is amazed that ladies are
willing TO undergo such fatigue, they
must remember that unpopularity Is
tbs lot of those who are not rigorous
in the discharge of the duties long
established usage has attached to the
places they hold in society by virtue
Of the official rank of their husbands.
And it is not matter concerning
which the wife of "Mr. Secretary"
can afford to be independent, for the
unpopularity she provokes will include
her husband--yes, and the political
party he represents as well. More
than one of these victims TO society are
martyrs to principle, and offer them
selves up on the sacriicial altar rather
than make the administration up
popular" The most heroic of those
the administration has known is the
wife of the Secretary of State, who full
fills her every social duty with cheer
ful courtesy which is a perpetual sur
prise even to those who best know her.
State dinners on Monday, Tuesday, and
Wednesday of each week, q crowded
reception in the afternoon Of the last
named day, and q lunch for about
dezen ladies' on Thursday were few
of her home engagements, and yet the
ceaseless round of visiting went on.
Nor does Mrs Fish employ house.
keeper, but superintends all the details
of her well appointed household
Nearly all our Heading ladies" " as care
less reporters are apt TO style them,
are actively engaged in some of the
many charities city the size of Wash
ington is bound to support. With
such diversity Of arduous duties how
they find time for even portion of the
rest exhausted nature demands is a
conundrum. | for one give up prompt
ly. That they do find some moments
for recuperation is proved by the fact
that they do not die or willingly resign.