The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-10
wa.hington City in Van Bnrsn,s Time.

NNAN "tN a bbAh huhlbAiHks liz mun u thlA-
dle-sized, somewhat stout man, with pleas
ing manners, fine head, sparkling hazel
eyes, and complexion so dark that on
several occasions--as he used to narlate
with great glee--he was supposed to be Of
African descent. "There is no need Of
my working" said he, "for whenever /
cannot support myself in Ohio, all should
have to do would be to cross the river,
give myself up TO Kentucky negrotrader,
be taken South, and sold for field hand.
He always had story ready to illustrate
subject Of conversation, and the dry man
ner 10 which he enliyened his speeches by
pungent witticisms, without q smile on his
own solid countenanee, was irresistible.
His greatest effort was a reply which he
made to Mr.. Crary, Of Kentucky, who had
undertaken to eriticise the military ability |
Of General Harrison. John Quincy Adams
went over to Mr.. Corwiu's desk, aud ad-
yised him 10 reply; without success at first,
Corwin saying that he was something like
Balaam's ass-he could never speak unless
kicked into it," The next afternoon, how
ever, he did reply, and his speech, as
model Of humorous rctort, has never since
been equallod at the Capital. His descrip-
tion Of Mr.. Crary as he appeared on parade
as militis gcn,ral, and after the fatigues
Of muster, when treating his brigade to
water-melons and whisky at country gro
Gerry store, as the ancient heroes assuaged
their thirst from the skulls Of their slaught-
cred enemies, was a delicious piece Of sa-
tire. Then, turning to the history of Gen.
Harrison, Mr., Corwin gave an eloquent
picture Of his patriotic services with con-
yincing force. No member of Congress
ever received such personal discontinue
from speech, and Mr.. Crary never re-
covered from Corwin's onslaught. Even
at his home the farmers always offered him
watermelons in their season, accompanied
by quotations from Corwin's speech. He
retired from public life an extinguished
orator
President Van Buren endeayored to re-
store the good feeling between the Admin
? istation and Washington Society, which
had been ruptured during the political rule
of General jackson. He gave numerous
entertainments at the White House, and
used to attend those given by his Cabinet,
which was regarded as an innovation, as
his predecessors had never accepted social
, invitations. Ex-President Adams, the
! widow Of President Madison, and the
widow of Alexander Hamilton each formed
! the centre Of pleasant cotorie, and the
! President was open in the expression Of
: his desire that the members of his Cabinet
E and their principal snbordinates should
each give a series of dinner-parties and
i evening receptions during the successive
sessions Of Congress.
The dinner parties were very much alike
and those who were 10 succession guests a
different houses, often saw the same tabl,
ornaments, and were served by the sam,
= walters, while the fare was prepared by thl
. same cook. The guests used to assemble
. ia the parlor, which was almost inyariabl
a connected with the dining-room by largi
= folding g-doors When the dinner was read
: the folding doors were thrown open, an,
= the table was revealed, covered with dishe
: and cut glassware A watery compoun
Z called Vegetable soup was invariably served
i followed by boiled fish, over-done roast bee
!, or mutton, roast fowl or game in their sea
n were carved and helped by the host, Will
q son, and great variety of puddings, 'pie'
cake and iee-cream. The fish, meat and fov
), the lady Of the house distributed the veg
! etables, the pickles, and the dessert
a Champagne, without ice, was sparingl
: supplied in long, slender glasses, but ther
la al &C .n,n1 olar.f .,.I ,..ftk . A.,
J, dessert several bottles Of old Madeira wer
! generally produced by the host, who sue
! cinetly gave the age and history Of each
! The best Madeira was that labelled 9Th
/, Supreme Court" as their Honors the Jul
!, tees used to make a direct importation
every year, and sip it as they consulte
over the cases before them, every day afie
their dinner, when the cloth had been re
moved. Some rare old specimens Of thi
Supreme Court wine can still be found i
u Washington wine cellars.
j. At the evening parties the carpet wa
!. lifted from the room set apart for dancing
r and the floor was chalked in colors TO pre-
n tect the dancers from slipping. The musi
5. was almost invariably first and secon
d. violin, with flute aud harp accompaniment
,f Light refreshments, such as water ices
"a lemonade &ncgus aud small cakes, wer
IA handed about on walters between ever
4 two or three dances. The crowning glor
o of the entertainment, however, was th
It supper, which had been prepared unde
" the supervision Of the hostess, aided b
j some Of her intimate friends, who had ais
a loaned their china and silver ware. Th
i. table was covered with Ia mode beel
It cold roast turkey, ducks and chickens, frie
1. aud stewed oysters, blanc mango, jelliei
20 whips, floating islands, candied orange,
a aud numerous varieties of tarts and cakes
20 Very often the young men, after bavin
n escorted the ladies to their respectiv
h homes, would meet again at some oystC
/. house to 60 out on lark, in imitation q
" the young English bloods in the favorit
n play Of "Tom and Jerry" Singing, Q
e. rather shouting, popular songs, they woul
A. break windows, wrench off knockers, ca
Ie up doctors aud transpose sign-boards; no
a was there a night watehman to interfer
IS with their registering g.-.JHiy Atlantic.
e Doc TRAVEL IN THE WINNIPEG CoUN