The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-10-30

quartes at Washington. He had mar
ried, when subaltern, Miss Maria Mayo,
of Richmond, at that time the -2cknowl-
edged reigning belle of the Old Domin-
ion. Each possessed a commanding pres
ence, intelligent features, and great con-
versational powers, while their only child,
Miss Virginia. had inherited the personal
charms of her parents.
General Gaines, Familiarity known as
1.-THE hero of Fort Erie was not pleased
when General Scott was promoted, al
though he was then upwards of eighty
years of age, and unfit for military duty.
Tall, spare, and erect, with snow-white
hair and keen eyes, he presented strik-
ing contrast to his small, vivacious. and
energetic wife. who was at that time
commencing one of the most celebrated
of the causes celeJres of the United States
Amiable, courteous, and atfectionate,
Mrs. Gaines became a heroic litigant,
and went from court to court, seeking to
establish her rights as the lawful heir of
her father, Daniel Clark. Mr.. Clark was
in his day one of the most ambitious
young men of New Orleans, who divided
the confidence and respect Of the people
with Gov. Claiborne. He was high-spir-
tied, ambitious young Irishman, full of
energy, and wealthy. Embracing in poll
tics, he was elected the first delegate to
Congress from Louisiana, when he for
got his vows to his wife, who had not, at
the time of his marriage to her, been
divorced from her first husband, con-
fcctioner named De Grange. Their child
was Myra Clark, subsequently Mrs.
Gaines. At Washington, he became in
fatuated with the beautiful Miss Cation.
of Baltimore, and he returned to New
Orleans, determined to have his marriage
with Madame De Grange pronounced
illegal that he might wed Miss Cation.
Pecuniary embarrassments fortunately
arrested this resolve. and induced fatal
sickness, during which he repented, and
sought to make reparation to Myra by
making will in her favor, in which he
acknowledged heras his legitimate daugh-
ter. When, shortly after, lie died, this
will could not be found, but previous
one was produced which contained no
recognition of Myra. Under this will
his real estate in the city of New Orleans
was administered on and sold. Nor did
his daughter Myra, then a child, know
any thing about her parentage and his
tory, until she had grown up, and be-
come the wife of Mr.. Whitney. She at
once commenced the prosecution of her
claim to be recognized as the legitimate
daughter and heiress of Daniel Clark.
This she continued, and when, after the
death of Mr.. Whitney, General Gaines
addressed her, she consented to become
his wife only after he had promised to
second her litigation. The great num-
Der of persons interested to defeat her
and their large means rendered the con-
test apparently a most unequal one. But
what has been wanting in means, intlu-
ence, and array of great legal talent has
been made up by the singular heroism,
pertinacity, patience, and indomitable
will of this remarkable little lady.
The Russian Legation at Georgetown
became, after old Baron Bodisco's mar
riage to the young and beautiful Miss
Williams, the scene of brilliant weekly
entertainments, given, it was asserted.
by the especial direction of the Emperor
Nicholas, who had special allowance
made for table money. At these enter
tainments there was dancing. all excel
lent supper, and room devoted to whist.
Mr. Webster, Mr.. Clay, General Scott,
and several of the diplomatic corps were
invariably to be seen handling ''tifty-two
pieces of printed pasteboard,' while the
old baron, who was not good player,
used, as the host of the evening, to take
hand. One night, when he had thus
sat down to play with those better ac-
quainted with the game than he was, he
lost over thousand dollars, and at the
supper table he made the following an
nouncement, in sad tone: I" Ladies and
gentlemens! 1t is my disagree-able duty
to make the announce that these reccp-
tons must have an end, and to declare
them at an end for the present. because
why? The fund for their expend, ladies
and gentlemens, is exhaust, and they
must discontinue"
Ole Bull, then in the pride of man
hood, gave a concert at Washington,
which was largely and fashionably at
tended. In the midst of one of the most
exquisite pieces, while every breath was
suspended, and every ear attentive to
catch the sounds of that magical instru-
ment. the silence was suddenly broken
and the harmony harshly interrupted by
the we'll known voice Of Felix Grundy
Mcconnell. representative from Ala
bama, shouting, None of your high
falutin, but give us Hail Columbia, and
bear hard on the treble.' Turn him
OUT was shouted from every part of
the house, and the police force in attend
ance undertook to remove him from the
hall. Mac" as he was called, was not
only one Of the handsomest men in Con-
gress, but one of the most athletic, and
it was difficult task for the policemen,
although they used their clubs, to over
hall, some of his Congressional friends
interfered, and secured his release.
Father Mathew, the Irish apostle of
temperance, undertook to persuade a
number of bibuious Congressman to take
the total abstinence pledge, but he was
unsuccessful. He accompanied President
Tyler and the Archbishop to the annual
exhibition at the Convent Academy at
GEORGETOWN, under the direction of the
Ladies of the Visitation. The exercises
took place in the Odeon. which has since
given way to more pretentious hall,
but which was admirably calculated for
favorable display of the musical and
other accomplishments of the fair pupils.
President Tyler awarded the premium
crowns, medals, and books, and he, with
his daughter, appeared delighted when
ever an honor was conferred on Eir-
gilman.
The Congressional "messes" contin-
ued to be feature of Washington Sc
ciety A marty of Senators or Repre-