The Republican journal., 1877-01-11
Letter from Warrington.
Correspondence of the Journal.

recognition, try to enjoy themselves hugely;
but their noses are red and their eye-ds stitfen-
ed, and know how the toes out of sight are
aching, for not all the sunshine in the air can
take the edge from the keen piercing cold that
cuts so easily through all defences. This after
noon the Avenue presented brilliant array;
one that could scarcely be shown in any other
city, and we called it the 'fCarnival." One side
Of the Avenue has the new pavement, making
superb roadway, and flying along its smooth
surface came every sort of ingeniously comical
conveyance. The funniest thing was log of
wood raised on four slanting sticks fashioned
into rude runners and drawn by the most mel
ancholy mule who ever endured sad exist
ence. Beneath him swung huge dinner bell
cang ing out spasmodic tones of woe; another
rude one on runners was labelled the "Return-
ing Board of Louisiana" number of appar-
ent darkeys wearing white crape-bound hats,
were busily stutfing huge ballot box; the
more grotesque the outfit the louder the cheer
ing that greeted it from the crowded sidewalks
where patient people forgot the cold in the con-
tagious fun. When the Departments closed
adding their thousands Of clerks TO the crowds,
the splendid Avenue was wel-worth seeing.
The masks of the afternoon were specially
enjoyed. Dashng along beside the carnival
cayacade were the elegant turn-outs whose
appearance was almost as great Il novelty AS
the absurdities, for there il so little opportuni
ty for sleighing that few people own sledges,
and 50 many were out that we tancied they
must have been ordered by express from New
no I;ubt J,
ttg0 could be cosely tucked away in great fur
robes, bounded along brimfull Of audacious
happiness; then came the family sleigh over
flowing with rosy childish faces and there were
two or three superb affairs drawn by four hor-
ses. 1t has been the day for Senatorial calls,
SO from many a carriage ladies looked out
whose brilliant toiIettes and beautiful faces
added to the general tableau, and when it was
all over people went home laughing gaily 1t
will be repeated tomorrow. II somebody
would only begin throwing the light dry snow
as the co1tetti are thrown in Venice during
the Carnival and in New Orleans during the
Hardi 9Jus there would he much more general
laughter, and We need to laugh much more
than we do.
Tomorrow Mrs. Grant gives her first recep-
| ton, aud we shall all go in spite of the bitter
cold, for these receptions are among the pleas
ATTEST events of the season. \ on meet the face
that have grown familiar and You see the faces
YOU are curious to behold You may study the
fashions from different sections OF our own
country, and philosophers as you please about
indy idnal tastes among fore gners and the
| manners Of everybody The group in the
Blue paror to whom YOU make your lowest
salaam is Of course the most interesting, and
just now it is heightened by the sweet ba by
| presence Of Fred Grants little daughter Julia.
| The darling is in the arms Of her nurse, look
ing upon all the passing faces with great Won
! 'terng eyes, but she meets only smiles and her
| little rose lips smile too. OF course She is
dressed with most elaborate elegance. Her
| costume on New Years day was of finest tey-
| tnre and daiuiest broiIerel work over q slip
of pale blue silk. The dress was fastened with
azure bows, and elasped about TIE neck a gold
chain gitterad. The sleeves, reaching to the
| tiny wrists, were fastened with fairy bracelets,
and on one little finger cleaned 4 diamond set
about with turquoise. Somehow While looked
| there came the sad remembrance Of i Simla +
scene, nRy q year 0g0, when little Alice Bel
KNAPP, throned beside her beautiful mother, re-
ceived equal homage. Pray Heaven happier
future may be in store for the baby OF the
White House. The New Year receptions
| We're not nearly so many as usual, and the
storm prevented persons from going out whose
lists were already written. Enthusiasm will
IL 81, ,lo,.
wish could make dress coat and light kids
comfortable in the midst of whirne snow.
Even carriages arc of little use, for one must
plunge through snow banks to reach the curb
! stone and altogether sacrifice the shine of Day
& Martins best.
Every one observes that there are very few
ladies in Washington this winter. Those who
have already become familiar with its ways
care very little for repeating the same expert
ence season after season, and the depression in
business affairs doubtless keeps away many
who would like TO try its gaieties. Merchants
complain bitterly of the lack of trade, and GUS
toners find fault because in the limited stocks
of this winter they cannot find exactly what
they want. have already spoken of the very
but | have not told you of the figures one does
see there, whose ptifu looks make our hearts
ache. The ragged wretches who fill the North
gallery with their disgusting presence make us
shudder, but amid all their apparent destitution
you cannot help noting that they are in excel
lent flesh; that there seems no lack OF tobacco,
| and that they rather enjoy the luxury of a poy-
oI5 hat ana frn1
decency of any sort. Go down, however, near
the door-ways and note other groups of women
and young girls, who try to hide their despair
ing faces and miserable hats under scraps of
shabby, faded wells. Their thin calico dresses
cling about them in way sadly suggestive OF
scanty clothing; the shawl or superannuated
waterproof tells It's own story Of bitter need
They are some of the discharged clerks from
! the printing bureau, striving for influence
which may give them another position. Re-
spectabihty has not yet become to them an I'M
known good they cannot bear to quite give it
up, and in drowning we are told that in }he
brief struggle lies all the pain and fear Sub
nit to sink, and the horror is past. Is it not
greatly so in human living: Defeated, ba flied
yet hoping still, we strive for some desired good
so long a. any weapon is left, and only when
despair has seized do We yield the fruitless con-
test. The misery that hides itself and shri nks
from observation is often greater than that
which we see.
LITIGATION.
From Lazarus to Dives the transition is ma
| tural, and happened 10 overhear the other
day a chat which was highly amusing. There
sits behind Congressional desk portly alder
manic gentleman whose wealth is almost tabul-
Gus. His broadcloth is of satin gloss his hat
of irreproachable shape and shine; his boots
60 dear! they are made by a fashionable boot
maker, but not all his skill could make those
dreadful feet shapey, so had better not have
mentioned the;n) but his fat hands are stuffed
in delicate kids, and he walks with almost as
consequential roll as does Bruce the lusky
Senator. In 4 Pullman car, he was contidng
to a friend the way his success had been achiey-
ed. He was proud of his career and quite will.