The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-03-10
A LEADER OF SOCIETY.
sketch Of Mrs. RcIknap.
Especial Dispatch to the World

sketch Of Mrs. RcIknap.
Especial Dispatch to the Worldl
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The lady
who has been the central figure OF the
scandal developed to-day, and to save
whom from exposure every effort has
been made, as the committee in their
report show, is thoroughly known in
Washington, where she has been among
the gayest and most fashionable In the
seasons gone by, and especially in the
one just ended Her equipage and
toilets have We'd with all. The shock,
therefore, experienced to-day, when the
revelations made by the Inves-
tigating Committee were made
BY outsiders. The fact that any
lady was even remotely connected with
so great q scandal would have startled
society, but one who was 50 universal u
favorite as Mrs. Belknap was implicated
was q denouement which produced utter
CONSERVATION. This lady has been the
object OF general admiration since she
first came to Washington six years ago
to visit her sister, the former wife Of
General Belknap. Her handsome face
and figure, and witty conversational
powers at once made her central figure
In any assemblage. She is tall, has u
we'll ll-developed and rounded form and
graceful carriage. Her features are reg
uar, her complexion clear and fair,
while her hair is black, and her eyes
black and very bright.
When first she came to Washington,
Mrs. Belknap was the widow OF q Mr..
Bowers, who had died some months be-
fore In Cincinnati. Her family name
was Tomlinson, and she was q native Of
Harrodsburg, KY. Her father, DIR.
Tomlinson, was an eminent physician
and was highly connected. He had q
large family Of sons and daughters. All
OF the latter were noted for their beauty,
and were reigning bellies of the native
State. The mother of Mrs. Henry
Clews, Of New York, was one OF the
sisters, and the second and present
wife OF General Belknap another. Mrs.
Amanda Tomlinson Bowers was mar
ried two years ago in December to the
Secretary Of War. She was heartily
welcomed to the Cabinet circle here,
and has held a foremost place among
the ladies who are acknowledged queens
In society. She has been especially dis
| tinguished for her ready tact in receiv-
ing the strangers who each week throng
the houses OF the members OF the
Cabinet. She always had an appropri-
ate greeting ready for each conner She
has appeared to the greatest advantage
this winter, and has gone much into 80
ciety, as from her position she was com
pelled to do. She displayed great taste
in dress, and wears the richest mate
rials.
All shades and colors are becoming to
Mrs. Belknap's style, and she indulged
i'm Worth's most effective combinations.
At the many entertainments she has at
tended this winter she has looked equal
. ,.,1, in 10
rose -colorcd silk, with soft, creamy lace,
or turquoise blue silk, with long gar
lands Of flowers trimming, the low cor
sage and very short sleeves, as well as
the ablier and trains Of ivory-tinted silk
trimmed with fringe and lace, or even
her carriage costumes, one OF black vel
vet and lace, another of blue velvet,
trimmed with bands of pheasants'
feathers. She has many other toilets
Of the richest material. Mrs. Bel
knap is dainty from head to foot.
Hats and boots match each costume.
Her foot is the smallest in Washing
ton. She wears number one and hall
shoes, though she is five feet six inches
| in height. Slippers and boots Of satin
for these dainty feet come from Paris,
and are always enough seen to be ad-
mired. The jewels Mrs. Belknap most
| frequently wears consist of a string OF
large pearls around her neck, with n
beautiful pendant Of diamonds. Her
EARRINGS are two solitaire drops for
each ear. An aigrette OF diamonds is
the only ornament she ever wears on
her shapely head, amid the puffs OF dark
hair that are always arranged to suit
the contour Of the handsome face.
Prior to her marriage with Gen. Bel
knap she spent eighteen months in
Enrope. and brought her wedding trous-
seau with her on her return. Her mar
rage was solemnized at the residence OF
her father in Harrodsburg, Ky. One
child. q bright little girl, now one year
Of age, has blessed the union. General
Belknap Is very proud OF his FIRST
daughter. His children by his previous
marriage were all sons. Mrs. Belknap
is a devoted mother, and is untiring in
the care Of her pretty little
Alice. cheerfulIy rclinquishing any
pleasure when the child needs
her presence. This lady has made fire.
ouent visits to New York, and has been
much feted wherever she has stayed
there. After her return from Europe
4 two wears and half ago, she passed
many weeks at the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
Her most recent visit was early in Jan
uary, when she attended q grand ball at
Delmonico's, (the Patriarch's Ball, FOL
which purpose she had gone to New
York. She resided in Cincinnati priol
to the death Of her first husband, anc
for time afterwards.