The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-12-31
WASHING TON SOCIETY.
GRAND FAREWELL PAETY AT THE WHITE
HOUSE.

papas stingy. Star after star that spark
led in the gay winter skies has subsided to
the dxity and dimDess Of matrimony, while
others that shone even as comets, dazzling
all eyes, have fallen from their orbits, nd
darkness marks their pathways.
True, the Presidents family are going to
give one superb party, already blazoned In
the newspspers-a sort OF farewell ap-
pearance' one might cay, and to continue
thestricsily post vely TOR one night only
aud exclusive to the very wiDnowlng and
skimming of uppertendom wheat and milk.
So, with such discourag,ng conditions,
We cannot expect every body to be glad.
The malice and spite Of party are poor. ,.
To party not invited.
Among the Cabinet the tokens of conyi-
Vitality are not many. the Fishes, of
course, will give q series of magnificent
dinner parties, and two obligatory evening
receptions. With the exception of Mr..
Richardson's administration, the secreta-
ries of the Treasury have not been con-
spicuous for social display. Mr.. Boutwell,
positively declined to entertain, because
he would not afford it, Mr.. Bristow did
what custom demanded, but no more; and
Mr.. Morrill's tastes are not those OF
eOciety man. In Mr.. Belknap's place we
have a quiet, reserved gentleman, Mr.. j.
Donald Cameron-or 'Don,' for short
much more of q politician than host,
which is vastly different from his prede-
cessor; nor will any successor to her posi-
ton disturb the memories of the unfortu-
nate lady whose brief reign closed so
disastrously. Mr.. Robson has always
entertained well, but not extravagantly, 30
he will not probably launch into any
unusual display this winter, unless, indeed,
his tits with investigating committees last
session make him feel extra festive. The
Postm aster Generalship has been rather
unfortunate; tie Creswels kept open
house on grand scaie for three years, and
then failed, believe. The Jewels
launched out on the stream OF magnlhcence
bravely, but their unfortunate dlscrimina-
ton in the champagne at their first grand
party raised such a storm of ridicule that
they never dared hoist sail again. Mr..
Jewell had coddled the press well when
he first came into power, but he couldn't
rally from that blow-not even the sup
posed friendship of the Car ct all the
Russias availed him-for q Washington
reception crowd will endure anything
but poor supper.
Mr.. and Mrs. Tyner, our present Post
master land PosGmistress) General are ex-
tremely agreeable people, but too wise,
fancy, to waste time, money or strength on
the horde of curious and ill-bred strangers
who feel privileged to forage upon the pub
lie officials in this city. The Chambers
have always lived and entertained expeR-
sively the only difference now will be that
they will have Wednesdays" Cabinet
day, instead of 18Th ursdsy," Senator'S day.
There are traditions in the Attorney Cen
erals Office that may make Mrs. TAFT shy OF
any great display, for there was Mrs. Will
liams you rem EN- Der, whose star guided till
Mrs. Belknap's rose. The men ticcked after
Mrs. Belknap at an evening party too see
her eyes flash above the feathers of her fan,
or waited au hour by her carriage door to
fold her white opera cloak around her winter
arms and shoulders, but they came to Mrs.
Williams T,th aar her talk and talk RhR did
with certain masculine vigor that seemed
sometimes almost ont OF place In her dusky,
fragraut parlors. Whatever else Mrs. VIII.
liams was, there is an Americanism that
exactly describes her. She is " smart"
don't know whether she would sell post
traderships or not, but if she did know
she wouldn't be caught. After her followed
Mrs. Pierrepont, with point lace worth
81 600 the square Inch, and diamonds TO
match, inherited perhaps from "Dear Lady
Mary" She drove the finest carriage in
Washington, but her stay was brief, and
she now shine BfrUm an other sphere. Whom
have we on the supreme bench to- pay the
fiddler while society dances Chief Justice
Waire's family, compose of wife and
daughter, show no ambition to be regarded
as d" leaders"
In army circles, of course, General Sher-
man leads; but General Sherman sage,
with less good sense than usual, that tis
family cannot live in Washington on ID
500. Yet General Sherman and his family
are sociable, delightful people, whom one
goes to see for their own sakes, not for the
table they spread or, the music they furnish.
Mrs. Sherman, through her husbands posi-
ton and her own Christian character, is
certainly one to set a noble example to other
| women; and what could she do better than
| live on her husbands income in Washing
| ton or any other place, no matter what that
income wac. An obscure cOngressman's wife,
who must be extravaganza because she can
not be anything else, has some excuse, but
not 90 with the lady in question, who is an
honor to her sex and faith. This outcry
against Washington expense is foolish, be-
c4use it lies within the power of those who
must lament 1t to curtail it, and when one
secs people like Sherman deferring to what
might DO described as the Belknappery o.
Washington society, ito redemption seems
indeed, hopeless.
In navy circles there is Admiral Porter
family, always the first 20 bid their guest
and the last TO EismSs them; but the OldP