St. Landry democrat., 1880-03-20
Washington Costumes Fifty
Wears ago.
Fifty

! The second article on "Reminiscences
| of Washington, in the Atlantic Month
| ly for March, has these items about ladies
dresses and gentlcmen's costumes in the
city OF Washington i'll 1S3034:
"Chief Justice Marshall, who had then
presided i'll the Supreme Court for more
than quarter OF Il century, was one Of
the last survivors of those officers of the
revolutionary army who had entered
into civil service. He was a tail, gaunt
black eyes. He used to wear an un-
brushed, long skirted black coat, a
ly-litting waistcOat, and knee
brcecheS, II volumniOus white cambria
crayat, generally so!ied, and black
wolsted stockings, with low shoes and
silver buckles. He WAS d rapid walker,
and he never wore an Outer garment,
even in the most iHclcment weather.
A great judge, prominent among the
mighty lnteIlectS Of his epoch, and unit
ing inticxible honesty with rare genius.
he was greatly endeared to those who
knew him in private life, and his home
illness and slovenliness were attractive,
as epicures value the cobwebS on a bot
tie of old wine. Pitching Quoits was
his favolltc amusement, and when his
iron circle 'rung the Meg or so fell that
it encilcled the peg at which he had
thrown il, lie exhibited childish joy.
The circle OF what was termed good
was then, very limited in its extent and
simple in habits. Few Senators or
Representatives brought their wives to
cheer their congressional labors, and a
parlor Of ordinary size wOnld contain all
OF those who were accustomed to attend
social gatherings. y few diplomats,
with the officers Of the army and navy
stationed at headquarters, were accom-
panied by their wives, and there were
generally a few visitors of social dis
tinction. The most freddy and cordial
intercourse prevailed, and those who
met at dinner parties and at evening
entertainments were like members of |
one family, i'll genral sympathy.
"Ihc costume of the ladies was classic |
IN its scantiness, especially at balls and |
parties. The fashionable ball dress |
was of white India Grape, and five |
breadths each quarter OF a yard wide,
We're all that was asked for to make a |
skirt, which only came down to the
ankles, and was deliberately trimmed |
with dozen or more rows of tluunces.
Silk or cotton stockings were adorned ,
with embroidered clocks, and thin slip-
pers We're oTnamented with silk rosettes
and tiny buckles.
'Ihose gentlemen who dressed fash
ionably Wore "5olivar' frock-coats of
some gay-colored cloth, blue, or green.
or claret, with large lapels and gilded
buttons. Their linen was rutfied, their
'Cossack' trousers We're volumnious in
size, and were tucked into high 'Hessian'
boots with gold tassels. They wore
two and sometimes three wastcoats
each, OF different colOrs, and from their
watch pockets dangled IL ribbon with a
bunch of large seals. When in full
tress gentlemen wore dress-cOats with
enormous collars and short waists, we'll
stuffed white cambrlc cravats, small
clothes, or tight titring pantaloons, silk
stockings, and pumps.
"One OF the leading bellies was the
laughter of Gen. Adair, stately Ken
lucky beauty, who had married Col.
Joseph NJ. White, the delegate from
tiorlda, and was known as Florida
White Visiting Europe afterwards, she
vas received Ill the highest circles, and
Lmong other characteristic stories
Old OF her Is her attendance at fancy
,all given by one OF the Bonaparte
amlly: On receiving the invitation,
he called on the hostess and asked j
What she could wear. why replied ;
he princess, wear an American cos
ume. Have you no original American !
ostumes oh, no. said Mrs White, a
we follow your fashions But an I
Wered the princess, you are a keutuck-
IN. Have you no Indians in Kentucky 2 I
lrs. White took the idea, and appeared
t the bail dis all Indian gin, gay with r
eads and feathers, with culver at her E
ack and bow in her hand. Her tall, Il
lately, and graceful figure never ap- l.
cared to greater advantage, and she Il
as afterwards known as IL belle suu- j.
age." t.