Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-22
Washington Society.

Society people can felicitate themselves that
We will have one more day between January 1st
and Lent than was anticipated. 1850 being a leap
year, Ash Wednesday will fall on February 1lth,
instead OF the 10th, as has been supposed by
those, who, looking over the tlble in the Epis-
which directs that in every "bissextiler or
'leap year." one day be added to the date given
In the table for the first day of Lent. except
when the date is in March, In which case the
table gives the actual day of the month. The
10th OF February falls on a Tuesday.
The young married ladies OF Georgetown have
formed club. and give germans once a fort
night One Of these occurred on Friday even
ing last and was much enjoyed. 1t is a species
OF permanent leap year Institution since the un-
married ladies, who are invited by the members
of the club, are privileged to invite gentlemen
as partners in the dance. No gentleman not so
invited is $50 it is said> expected to attend.
Old friends Of Mrs Madison remember with
great pleasure portrait of her, painted, by
Stuart, which many consider one of his best
efforts. In the drapery OF the curtain pror-
trayed in the picture the artists own profile is
distinctly outlined. The likeness Of Mrs. Madi-
son is considered so pleasing that interest is ex-
pressed to discover the present Whereabouts of
the portrait. One who remembers it well has
said he hopes it will, when found, be placed in
the White House, or the Corcoran gallery. The
Executive Mansion would certainly be the
proper place for it, since of all the ladies who
have presided there in the past none seems to
have rivalled her in popularity. she was always
awarded the greatest distinction during the
many years she livei aft er ceas1ng to be mis-
tress of the White House. Those who remember
her. always speak of Mrs. Hayes as the only
other who has approached Mrs. Madison in the
popular estimation. While the latter differs
entirely IN tastes and is as especially noted for
Indifference to dress and personal adOrnment as
Mrs. Madison was fond of them the two are
favOrably compared with each other as regards
tne power OF making friends by tact and Win
ming manners.
In recent conversation with Mr.. Corcoran,
when 1t was mentioned that many had always
hot
ington in the White House was an original by
Gilbert Stuart he expressed great surprise and
said 1t was merely copy OF StuartS portrait
the story so constantly told that Mrs. Madison,
when fleeing from the British troops had her
self cut this picture from its frame to take with
her, and said Mrs. Madison used to laugh much
over that story and say She had heard it SO
often she began to believe it herself. Mr.. Cor
coran says it was taken frame and all to George
town, when the enemy was entering this city,
and placed in the Union Hotel When the
British were about to begin depredations in
Georgetown the picture was taken into the
street and remained there for time before it
could again be safoy housed, and MIR. Corcoran
distinctly remembers seeing 1t in the street op-
pOSite the Union Hotel.
Mrs. Stewart and Miss Page welcomed many
visitors on Saturday to the Washington home
OF ex-senator Stewart. A niece OF Mrs. Stewart
and some other ladies will also spend the winter
with her, and their Saturday receptions will be
among the most agreeable occurring during the
winter. Later in the season there will be
dancing in the large ballroom on Saturday
afternoons.
Mr.. Corcoran has dessert service Of the finest
Setaes china " hich was ordered for and used by
General Washington. 1t is very beautiful, and
Will probably be given by its present owner to
the COrcOran Art Gallery.
Ex-senator Matthews son Mortimer and his
eldest daughter, Miss Genie, will make Mrs
Hayes q visit next week, arriving in time for
New Year.
Mrs. Harriet Lane johnson spent last Tuesday
in Washington with her friend Mrs. Hornsby
and returned to Baltimore in the evening. She
will make a longer visit before the season is
over.
Justice Strong's eldest daughter will study
art in Philadelphia during the winter, and will
not come here probably until spring.