The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-10-18
Br1oUrfrr ~ wAsnfsoros socIErr.

The wife of the Chief Justice, and not tho
wife OF the President, Is the fist lady in the
land, and takes preccdence Of all others. She
holds receptions mud receives calls, but she
alone u excladed from all duty OF returnInv
calls The 1ifs Or Indy il socisty ii wash.
ington Is exceedingly onsrous, and more a..
peciaily 20 & she be the rife 81 al oiBcial.-
Next In rank ootnes the Nj is q tho President.
i Is made the duty 81 The President Is rivo
several State dinners and oficiaI receptions
during each session Of Congress Besides
these there are tho general receptions. -
which time the White House Ii open 10 tho
public, and every citizen IL the United State.
has recognized right to pay his respects e.
the President. On the days OF the regular
"levees the doors Of the White Housa 49,.
thrown open, and the world is inliscriminate-
" invited to enter them. No court ), dress
Is required to make ono presentable nj This
republican court, but every one dresses ac.
cording to bis or her own means. taste. or
fancy. The fashionable carriage or walking.
dress is seen side by side with the upcou,h
homespnn and homemade Of the backwoods.
man ana his vile. Neither ara there any
forms and ceremonies to be complied with in
gaining admistalce to the Presidential pres.
ence. You enter, an official ANNOUNCES Won.
and you proceed directly u the President and
ms lady and pay your respects They Ok.
change few words with You and then Won
pass on to make room for the throug that is
pressing behind You. You lolter around tho
room for short time, chatting with acqa.int.
ances or Watching the shifting panorama Of
I"ccs' and then you go quietly cut, and tho
icvee Is ended for YOU Ii any oi,e wishes Ia
make private call upon the President he
VIII md II necessary 10 secure the company
aud influence Of some official Or special friend
oi tho President. Otherwise, though he will
be readily admitted to the White House. he
Will probably fail in obtaining q personal in
teryicw.
The ladies of a Cabinet officer must hold
receptions every Wednesday during the soas-
on from two or three o'clock to half-past i've.
On these occasions the houses must DO open
to all who chose to call. Refreshmenss and
an extra number pf servants are PROVIDED
The refreshments for these receptions may be
plain, consisting of chocolate, tea, cakes, &c.
Every one wli0 has called and left a card nc
wednesday, reception Is entitled to two ac-
acknowledgements of the call. The first must
be returning Of the call by the ladies of tho
family, who ut the same time leave the official
card Of the Minister. The second acknowl-
edgmcnt Of the call is an invitation to an ey.
ening reception. The visiting list of the fam
lily OF Cabinet Munster cannot contain less
than 1000 Or 1900 names. Cabinet officers
are also expected to entertain at dinners Sem
ators, Representatives, Justices of the SUI
prcme Court, the diplomatic corps, and many
other public officers with the ladies of their
families.
The season proper for receptions is from
the hrst of January tothe beginning of Lent.
The seasons for dinners lasts until the adj
journment of Congress.
The President is not expected to offer re-
freshmcnts to tie crowds who attend his re-
ception. The Vice-President and Speaker
OF the House are also freed from the expense
of feeding the hungry public.
1t Is optional with Senators and Represent
tatives, as with all officers except the prcsi-
dent and members of the Cabinet, whether
they shall " entertain" There is a vast ex
pense in all this, but that is not all. The la
Dor and fatigue which society imposes upon
the ladies Of the family Of Cabinet officer
are fairly appalling. To stand for hours du-
ring receptions at her own house. to stand at
a series of entertainments at thu houses of 9TH
wt,f,e. iuvitatt.,no c..,,.t..c,,