The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-03-23
H PACIFIC
SATURDAY. MARCH %.
From a Special Correspondent
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

VI - ~ @NS SHS
spring, its calm warm summer, or It's glorious
autumn, can form very little idea of it physically
or socially, at this time Just before Lent, when the
beehive is no hyperbolic figure of the whir OF
social life. To-day the air is balmy as May
though the trees are significantly bare, there is a
slight growth of grass on lawn and park,
while darlington Heights" across the Potomac
are surely 4" hills with yerdure clad" These,
despite the remaining patches of snow, almost
rob winter of her prerogatlVes. Though there
are, as yet, no flowers without, each home has
its sweet-breathed mignonette, glowing car
nation, or fragrant geranium, while the many
hot houses are filled with choice roses, lilies,
etc.
As a Photographic view of a day at the capital
one of many-which may be acceptable to my
Honolulu readers, l propose to ask you to make
9 Cabinet calls with me. On Wednesdays,
from 2 to 5, P. NJ, the ladies of Cabinet Ministers
are &" at home " to all the world. Judging from
the rushing to and fro of carriages and coupes,
between those hours, all the world the
s. sovereign people," as we say in America-aVail
themselves of this opportunity to approve of the
powers that be. The wide streets, are, as if by
magic, flled--not with confusion--for our drivers,
either public or private, are too well-bred for
that, but with crowding, w~hirling, dashing
| vehicles. The first in order on this occasion is
the home of
WIN. n. EVARTs,
| Secretary of State. Mr.. Evarts lives in an ele-
CANT and commodious mansion at the corner of
K. and Sixteenth Streets, which was built by
Mr.. Hutchinson, the well-known tAlaska Fur
Contractor" The fur contractor has princely
ideas. as this is one of the handsomest residences
in Washington, a mansion and grounds sufficient
for Mr.. Evarts' large household. Mrs. Evarts
receives with ease and grace; she is a petite lady
of gentle manners and modest mourning toilette
(having lost her father several months since).
Being the mother of eleven children, we are not
surprised to be introduced to Miss Evarts and
three grown sisters, assisting IN the, not incon-
siderable, task Of shaking hands and saying
something to the crowds who, induced by various
incentives, pay their respects to the family of
the Secretary of State. All, here are two others,
dividing the duties with the mother. 1t is the
married daughter, and the little Haxen head is
the first grandchild of the great lawyer, a triie
spoiled, L fancy, though grandchildren never are;
or, possibly, only tired of being admired, as
rery young ladies may be, sometimes. We are
fortunate indeed, as it is the sixtieth birthday of
the Secretary of State, and he has fingered a
few minutes with the ladies in spite of the
weight of official cares. Mr.. Evarts' spare, 1.-THE
figure is familiar, through our illustrated sheets,
to the civilized world. His eminent acquire
ments as a lawyer peculiarly fitted him for the
intricate legal questions continually presented to
the Secretary of State, but it requires also great
moral courage, and we trust that Mr.. Evarts
will not therein be found wanting. OF all our
representative men he and Alexander III.
Stephens, of Georgia, nearer approach the his
torian-John Randolph of Roanoke-in their
purely intellectual physiques. 1t is not ~uninter-
estlng to note the profound depths of thought
which assert their presence on the Secretary's
broad brow, despite the evidently social chat he
is having with the American historian, George
Bancroft. This man Of labor and of letters, has
just entered with his lovable and attractive wife.
Mr.. Bancroft, Notwithstanding his almost incred-
ible work, has, at the age of more than three
score and fen time and faEta for tho oopciIoro
ton of the various demands of society. We
meet his straight tall form at reception and at
state ceremonial at lecture, theatre and opera.
we recognize his shapely silver head. Mrs. Ban
croft is probably one of the most considerable and
attractive women we have at the capital. Mac
ready said of her she is the most charming
woman in America" and We should surely have
no little gratitude for the woman who has done
so much credit to American womanhood in the
exacting diplomatic circles of three European
courts. We fingered a few minutes, chatting
with those whom We knew, and for the matter of
that, those whom We had never before seen, for
Washington is thoroughly cosmopolitan, and no
one has enough provincialism left to be restrained
by the want OF the simple ceremonial of an intro
duction, from asking a question. Among the
callers at one time in the parlors, we noted quite
a celebrated group of women. The first, that
most wholesome nature and genial f~avorite, Grace
Greenwood, (Mrs. Lippincott) who is out to-day
with her sweet-faced daughter, Miss Annie.
Then comes Mrs. Gen. Lander, the distinguished
tragcdienne, who has with her a visitor, Mrs.
Jno. Forney of Philadelphia. Mrs. Lander has
just returned from a short visit to England. She
is a very handsome woman and of rare majestic
mien she speaks with fine intonation, but has
no offensive staginess Of manner. Near her is
Gail Hamilton of pen prolific. Miss Dodge has
a face so plain that you have to know her before
1T is possible to forgive some of the hard lines.
Her voice is sweet, she talks we'll and dearly loves
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in the Nel0 York Tribune so frequently, I would
fancy she would rather talk than write and we
know her heart is full of human kindness, not
wlthstanding the severe reviewing she is now
giving a sister-writer Miss Phelps. Just being
introduced to Mrs. Evarts is the new Queen Of
tragedy Madame Modjeska, who, during her en-
gagement here has a few hours to give to social
recreation. She has wondrous grace, and her
rich voice is only richer by reason of the slight
want of confidence she indicates in attempting
general conversation in a foreign tongue. This
beautiful blonde of middle age is Mrs. Fassett,
the artist, who has left her easel, upon which now
hangs a picture of historic interest, "The EIec-
toral Commission" We would say good bye at
once to the Secretary of States mansion, re-
freshed for further journeying by a hot cup of
but that [ find myself chatting with
some Pacific Coast people, Col, Mrs. and Miss
who have recently located here.
They have gracefully shown their appreciation of
VAN NN"iHS - AhO y IHO capital ny entertaining |
very generously. Senator Booth is doing social
duty to-day in an agreeable way, i. e., by direct
ing an attractive lady-friend through the mazes
OF cabinet calls. Mrs. Senator Jones' sweet
young face vies in youth and l~oveliness with the
three young lady visitors she is chaperoning-
visitors from three different States. Mrs. Jones
is a great favorite here by reason of her modest
which, set off by her i~ndulgent husbands
and wealth, is all the more accountable.
She has the very spirit of kindness and hospi-
tally in her everyday life, and critical Wash
lngton-which was on the lookout for most
unnecessary display, has learned to love her.
Here too is Miss Chafee, and her friend, Miss
Case who are full of the enjOyments of the
capital with that relish only known in youth.
Now a word to Mrs. Senator Spencer, nee Nav
Nunez, and we will leave, though we might stay
until the regulation hour of five with pleasure
and not sans profit. This lady, a bride, has with
her to-day her husbands niece, Miss Spencer
Maui, who is pleasing, chatty and petite,
and is the guest of Mrs. Chas. Nordhoff, and we
are sure the young lady could have no more
acceptable host and hostess. Mrs. Spencer is an
figure, in rich, rather too studied toll
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