New-York tribune., 1880-06-27
WASHINGTON In VAN BURENs TINE,

An ANONYMOUS Writer IN The Atlantic.
Congress had it's comedies as we'll as its tragedIes.
and the leading comedian wac Themas Corwln a
Rapresentative from Ohio, who was type OF early
Western culture and q born humorist. ne was q
middle-siEed, sOmew bat stout man, WIN pieasdine
manners a fine head, sparkling haZel eyes, anu u
complexion so dark that on several oecasiOns-as no
used to narrate with great glee-he was supposed 10
be of African descent There ls no neeu Oh lS
WORKING" said he " for whenever cannot support
myself IN Ohio, all should have to do woul1 De 10
cross the river give myself up to Kentucky negro,
trader. be taken South. and sold for neid nana:
He always had story ready TO illustrate suoIect
of conversation, and the dry manner IN whlch ne
eniveDed his speeches by pun9ent twittlcsms, wltil-
out smile on his own stoild countenance' was
irresistible.
His greatest effort was a reply Ehich he made to
Mr.. Crary, of Kentucky, who had undertaken 10
John Quincy Adams went over to Mr.. Corwin's
desk, and advised hun to reply without success at
first, COrwin saying that he was y something IKE
Balaam's ass-ie could never speak unless KICKED
into it," The next afternoon however, ne du re-
ply aud his speech, as model OF humorous rel0rt,
has never since been equalled at tue Capitol His
description of Mr. Crary as he appeared OH parade
as "A militia general, aud after the fatlgues or a
muster, when treating his brigade to water-meions
and whiskey at a country grocery store, oS the
ancient heroes asSuaged their thirst from the
skulls of their slaughtered enemies, was delicious
piece OF satire Tben turning TO the history OF General
Harrison, Mr.. COrwm gave an eloquent picture OF
his patriotic services with convincing force NO
member OF Congress ever receVed such personal
discontinue from q speech, and mr. Crarg never
recovered from COrwin'S onslaught Even at MS
home the farmers always offered him water-inelOns
in their season, accompanied by quotations from
COrwin'S speech. lie retired from publlc life an
exnugushed orator.
President Van Bnren endeavored to restore the
good feeling between the Administration and wash
iuctOn society which had been rnpturen during
thee political rule OF General Jackson. He gave
numerous entertainments at the White House, ana
used to attend those given by his Cabinet, which
was regarded as an innovation, as his predecessors
had never accepted social invitations. Ex-Presldent
Adams the widow of President Madison, ana the
widow of Alexander Hamilton each formed the
centre of pleasant coterle, and the PRESIDENT was
open in the expression OF his desire that the mem
bers of his Cabinet aud their principal Subordinates
should each give series of dnnerpartles and even
ing receptions daring the successive sessions OF
Congress. -
The dinner-parties were very much alike. and
those who were in succession guests at different
houses often saw the same table ornaments, anu
were served by the same walters, while tho fare
was prepared by the same cook. The guests used
TO assemble in the parloT, which was almost III.
variably connected with the dinng-roOm by large
foding-doOrs. When the dinner was ready the
fOdng-dOoTs were thrown open, and the table was
revealed, covered with dishes and cut-RlaSs ware.
watery compound called Vegetable d soup was m
roast beef or mutton, roast fowl or game IN their
season, and great variety OF puddings, pies. cake
and Ice-cream. The fish, meat and fowl were carved
and helped by the host while the lady of the house
distributed the vegetables, the pickles. and the
dessert Champagne, without ice, was spaTinRly
supplied in long, slender glasses, but there was no
lack of sound claret and with the dessert several
bottles of old madeira were generally produced by
the host who succinctly gave the age and history
of each. The best madeira was that labelled
"the Supreme Court as Their. HonOrs the
Justices used to make a direct importation
every year, and sip it as they consulted over the
cases before them, every day after their dinner,
when the cloth had been removed. Some rare old
specimens of this Supreme Court wine can still be
found in Washington wine-cellars.
At the evening parties the carpet was lifted from
the room set apart for dancing, and the floor was
chaked in colOrs to protect the dancers from Slip
ping. The music was almost invariably first and
second violin, with flute and harp accOmpaniments.
Light refreshments. such as water ices, lemonade,
negus and small cakes were handed about on wait
ers between every two or three dances. The crown
lug glory Of the entertainment. however, was the
supper, which had been prepared under the super
vision Of the hostess aided by of her intimate
friends who had also loaned their china and silver
ware. The table was covered with alamode beef,
cold roast turkey ducks and chickens. fried and
stewed oysters, blanc mango. jeIes whips. floating
islands, candied oranges and numerous varieties OF
tarts and cakes, Very often the young men, after
having escorted the ladies to their respective
homes, would meet again at some oyster-house, to
go out on lark. In imitation Of the young English
bloods In the favorite play Of tom and jerry"
Singing, or rather shouting, popular songs, they
would break windows, wrench off Knockers call up
doctors. and transpose sign-boards nor was there
night-watchman to interfere with their roistering