The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-03-13
"Reminiscences of Washington.

The second article on "reminiscences Of
Washington" in the Atlantic Monthly for
March, has these items about ladies' dresses
and gentlemen's costume in the city of Wash
ington in 1S30-34:
"Chief Justice Marshall, who had then
presided in the supreme court for more than
a quarter of century, was one of the last sur
vivors of those officers of the revolutionary
army who had entered into civil service He
was tall, gaunt man, with a small head and
bright black eyes He used to wear an I'M
brushed, long skirted black coat, badly
fitting waistcoat and knee breeches, voum-
NOUS white cambria cravat, generally soiled,
and black worsted stockings, with low shoes
and silver buckles. He was rapid walker,
and he never wore an outer garment, even
in the most inclimate weather. A great judge,
prominent among the mighty intellects of his
epoch, and uniting inhexible honesty with
rare genius, he was greatly endeared to those
who knew him in private life, and his home
illness and slovenlness were attractive, as ep.
icures value the cobwebs on bottle of old
wine. Pitching auoits was his favorite
amusement, and when his iron circle 'rung
the Meg or so fell that it enclrcled the peg
ut which he had thrown it, he exhibited child
ishjoy.
1.-THE circle of what was termed good So
ciety' at Washington had been, and was
then, very limited in its extent and simple in
its habits. Few senators or representatives
brought their wives to cheer their congress-
ional labors, and parlor of ordinary size
would contain all of those who were accus-
toned to attend social gatherings. A few
diplomats, with the officers of the army and
navy stationed at headquarters, were accom-
panied by their wives, and there were gen.
orally few visitors of social distinction
The most friendly and cordial intercourse
prevailed, and those who met at dinner par
ties and at evening entertainments were like
members of one family, in general sympathy.
"Thc costume of the ladies was classic in
it. scantiness, especially at balls and parties.
The ia hionable ball-dress was of white India
Grape, and five breadths, each aquarter of
yard vide, were ell that was asked for to
make n skirt, which only came down to the
ankles, and was elaborately trimmed with a
dozen or more rows of narrow founces.
Silk or cotton stockings were adorned with
embroidered clocks and thin slippers were
ornamented with silk rosettes and tiny
buckle.
"ThOse gentlemen who dressed fashiona.
bly, were Bolivar frock-coats of some gay.
colored cloth, blue or green or claret, with
large lapels and gilded buttons. Their lin
en- was ruflied, their 'Cossack' trousers we're
voluminous in size, and were tucked into
high 1iessian' boots with gold tassels. They
wore two and sometimes three waistcoats
each, Of different colors, and from their
watch pockets dsngled a ribbon with bunch
of large seals. When in full dress gentle
men wore dress-coats with enormous collars
and short waists, well-stuffed white cambria
cravat-. small clothes, or tight fitting panta-
looms, silk stockinns, and pumps.
Zone of the leading bellies was the daughter
of General Adair a stately Kentucky beauty,
who had married Colonel Joseph NJ. White
he delegate from Florida and was known
as Florida White. Visiting Europe after
ward, she was received in the highest circles
and among other characteristic stories told
of her is her attendance at fancy ball given
by one of the Bonaparte family. On receiv
| ing the invitations, she called on the hostess
and asked what she should wear. Why re-
piled the princess, wear an American cos
tune. Have you no original American cos
tumes?' ooh, no. said Mrs. White, we fol-
low your fashions But answered the
princess, you are Kentuckian. Have you
no Indians in Kentuckyp Mrs. White
took the idea, and appeared at the ball as an
Indian girl, gay with beads and feathers,
with quiver at her back and bow in hei
hand. Her tall, stately, and graceful figure
never appeared to greater advantage, and
she was afterward known as ia belle saw
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