Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-22
Washington Letter.

Last evening was Inc nTSt pIesiuou'''
reception of the season, and thinking you
might care to hear it described, | betook
myself thiiher at halfpast eight o'clock.
The gas-lit carriage way semi-circle in
front Of the White House was full OF We
hicles of various sizes. and styles. and
heraldic inscription, but ali confined to one
or two horse power. There was less
display of livery than you would see on
half that number of carriages in Europe,
but still there was enough. Some OF the
drivers made no further ostentation than
close butt oned overcoat and silk hat. A
majority of the callers. male and female,
came on foot. In the brilliantly lighted
ante chamber the red. coated marine band
were playing such enchanting dance mu-
sic that some bellies seemed unable to walk
straight, and entered the cloak room in a
half waltz. In the cloak room we re-
moved our hats and overcoats, which were
placed in a large numbered pigeon-hole,
and check bearing the corresponding
number handed us. After carefully ad-
miring large mirror. we were ready to
swarm up and be presented.
Through a large open door we could
see the presiden; and Mrs Hayes industri-
ously smiling and shaking hands. Pro-
nouncing our names TO Mr.. Webb Hayes,
who stands on the left of his father and
nearest the door, he conveys the sound to
the president, who shakes hands in IN
urbane, business-like way, calling the
name of each visitor. The presentations
to Mrs. Hayes, who was standing two
steps to the right, were made by Colonel
Casey, in the same manner.
The next step was to move on and join
the great throug that had already shaken
and poured into the east room. Here
every body was promenading. talking with
her acquaintance, flirting in dignified
way, or admiring the dresses of the dressy,
the styles of the stylish and the airs of the
airish. When you consider with your
eyes the visible woman, what do you look
| for? The woman invisible. The words
which enter your ears, the gestures, the
motions of her head, the clothes she wears,
visible acts and deeds of every kind are
expressions merely, somewhat is revealed
beneath them. An inner woman is con.
cealcd beneath the outer woman; the lat
ter does but reveal the former. You look
at her dress, and that in order TO discover
her habits and tastes, the degree of her
refinement on rusticity, her extravaganza
or her economy. You listen to her con-
versation, and you note the infections OF
her voice, the changes of her attitudes
and that in order TO Judge of her intensity,
her self-forgetfulness or her canstraint. OF
course all this cool bravery of criticism is
on the suppositon that you are not in
love with her. But let us resume"
On this occasion group of Ute Indian
chiefs who had come to the reception in
their moccasins, beads and many colored
blankets were the chief attraction. and
their immoble, smleless, melancholy
faces presented strange contrast with
the gay aud brilliant throng that surround
ed them. The general of the army was
present in uniform, as usual attentive tc
tho ladies, some of whom he introduced
to the Indians. Among the distinguished
persons present were the chief justice Of
the supreme court. the speaker of the
House. and Senator Edmunds. OF the
undislinguished persons present were
members of congress, foreign ministers
reporters, army and navy officers, govern.
ment clerks, ready made clothes mer-
chants, and United States senators.
will not attempt to tell what all the gen.
llemen had on. There were too many o.
them, and too great variety of costume.
observed that tailor from 7th street
wore an elegant frock coat cut dem.trair
with extended padded and precipitou.
shoulders. Pantaloons fared Mt the bot.
tom, and dark dollar kid gloves. Mr.
-, u tall elegant beau from the pos,
office department, salary twelve hundred
dollars year, was much admired in q
short greyish habit, cut straight in tergum
pantaloons fitting closely over the hips
and couture arranged a Ia Tom Allen
Ihe Judge Of the police court, pro
nounced blonde, appeared in white glove!
and cravat, black swallow tail coat, anc
pantaloons TO match, with bimetalic orna
ments. l mention these three, not tina
they were more elegantly dressed thar
most members of congress aud attaches o
legation, but because their costumes may
be taken as types of styles and furnish
guide to the brother of Miss Flora McFlim
sey, who may come 10 Washington no
quite knowing what to wear when he pre-
senIs himself at the American court
While the white neck-tie and swallow tai
coat, with black trowsers, is the costume
dc rigeur for receptions, no one will fee
conspcuously out of place in frock coat
Some ladies were in full dress while other!
appeared in street costume with cloak
and hats on. | say some were in full
dress, but this must not be understood in
bad or Canadian sense. A line must b.
drawn somewhere, and, unless she ha.
very pretty shoulders, the American lady
draws it very high. CAL S.
When Geo. G. Vest, the newly elected
senator from Missouri sat in JEFF. Davis.
Senate he received a good cowhlding from
the wife of Henry A. Pollard for an often
>ive remark he made about her. On tn,
,..,Ix =. A. Il