The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-03-05
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. G., Feb. IS, 1877


AS Lent approaches the gay whirl of
society grows quicker, and people who give
themselves to it are fast wearing themselves
out preparing-not for worship or religious
thoughts and actions as Lent is supposed to
indicate, but for season to be passed in
fearful exhaustion and WEAKNESS and gen.
eral worn-out feeling. We are told that the
leading ladies in Washington society this
winter are exceptional in their culture and
refinement; that they are something more
than mere butterflies of fashion. We ad-
nit that they might be-that they are capa-
BILE of being more. The Misses Evarts are
well educated in the best sense of the term,
and cultivated. So are the Misses Schurz,
the elder of whom has charge of her fathers
home, and acts as a mother to her little
brothers. Mrs. Sherman doubtless pos.
sesses much depth of character, and Miss
Platt, the Presidents neice, is certainly
charming. But after all, don't see but
they follow the same old round of festivi-
ties that others have and do, they dress and
dance and call and receive, and have little
or nothing left for better things. AS to the
"dress reform" we so fondly hoped for
from Mrs. Hayes and the Cabinet ladies,
there is none of it. Mrs. Hayes dresses as
richly and as expensively as ever Mrs.
Grant (who was called so extravagant in
these matters) did, only in better taste !;
and her young lady guests appear in as
elaborate toilets as they can procure. The
wives of the Cabinet Ministers are four of
them too old and dignified for fanciful
dressing. Mrs. Evarts wearing mourning,
and Mrs. Thompson wearing black because
it is more suitable for an elderly lady Mrs.
Sherman, the youngest among them, chances
to be woman of quiet tastes, and of no
personal beauty. Her richest toilet this
winter has been of plain black velvet.
Mrs. Hayes is an admirable hostess. She
is always contriving some new and pleasant
feature for her weekly receptions. Last
Saturday it was two receiving parties-her
own, in the East Room, and second in the
Red Parlor, consisting of % young ladies
whom she invited from Cabinet and Con-
gressional families. These receptions
will continue to Lent but the Presi-
dents last levee will take place this eve
ming.
Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker is in
Washington again. still jogging away on
her slow-trotting hobby--W Woman Suffrage.
She celebrated the birthday of the Father
Oe h n
half speech in the Senate Commtte Room
at the Capitol, which was listened to with
much interest. Mrs Hooker asserted that
if women had a hand in the Government,
the Indian question, the Chinese question,
the labor question, and the rest of the
troublesome social probe ms would be
quickly and effectually solved. Woman
Suffragists are feeling much encouraged
this year, as to the success OF their cause
The time has not yet passed from sight
when Congress would not so much as hear
a word from them, aud now the question
which lies nearest their hearts is being
seriously considered by many members of
that same Congress. On the day of the
presentation to the Government of the
Emancipation picture, week before last,
when as many ladies and gentlemen ap-
peared on the floor of the building of the
House of Representatives, heard some
women in the gallery near me admiringly
exclaim, "Doesn't the whole room look
better for their having seats there" etc.
The picture, by the way, is now hung in
its permanent place in the Capitol, over
the Eastern staircase leading to the House
gallery, full-length, life size painting of
Henry Clay having been removed for its
accommodation. The latter portrait will
be placed in the National Hall of Statuary
and Paintings.
The great battle over the silver bill hav-
ing been fought, the public is now anxious
ly awaiting for whatever comes next
This fight has afforded spectators and
listeners grand opportunity for studying
our strong politicians. When question
of such great moment is under considera-
tion, political leaders appear at their best,
and then is the time to study them. Their