National Republican., 1881-02-19
CAPITAL SOCIETY,
as DESCRIBED sY>A NEW YORKER.
1he Correspondent Of Great Metropolitan Daily
Tells Some Curious Things About Matters
in Washington and Describes Ger
tain Ladies' and Gentlemen.

tain Ladies ana UehIIehlcns
The New York Times is considered one
ofthe prominent and reputable newspapers of this
country. and Mr. Howard Carroll is one of the
most iIustrious ofits staff With a view Of giving
readers the opinion of the Times and its Wash
1ngton correspondent upon society at the National
Capital, We insert the following from Mr.. CAROLS
letter in the Times of the 14th instant.
"There are a great many people here and else
where who firmly believe that what they are
pleased to call Washington society is the most
cultivated the most refined, in short, the best 10
be found anywhere in the country. People who
hold this view are very much mistaken. The
truth is that more uneducated, rude and vulgar
men and women find their way into the social
gatherings of the Capital than to those OF any other
city in the Union Washington society, so called,
Is sham a humbug Of the most unqualified sort
It is true that there exists here few social circles
which may be called admirable IL every particu-
lar. They are made up however, almost eXclu-
siYcly Of the old and permanent residents, and of
their iloings next TO nothing is known. On the
other hand, il is no exaggeration to say that nine
Ot of every ten of the much advertised entertain
ments given by members Ofthe Cabinet, political
leaders, and those who want to be considered as
such, arc simply mobs of over dressed, loud
e mouthed. vulgar people. who have never learned,
ments Of good breeding. There was time, at
least so it IS said, when the members of the for
cigh legations did much to elevate the tone OF
THE CAPITALS SOCIAL LIFE.
"Such astatement cannot now bcmade without
marked departure from the truth. There are one
or two, perhaps three, diplomatic families here
which would grace any asSemblage: but for the
most part the official representatives of foreign
governments now in Washington are pTematurely
Old men of dcbauched habits men who seem to
have no family ties, and who devote very con-
siderable portion OF their time to turning the
empty heads of fashionable young women who are
only TOO easily attered by the not always respect
ful attentions paid them. Still, bad as these men
are, they not nearly 50 great blot upon the
social life of Washington the adventures
and swindleIs of native birth, who, by sheer i'm
pudence force their way into what are known as
'the best houses This class of impostors has
been moro fully represented here during the past
winter than ever before. One of the leaders of the
corps, who combines nearly all the traits ofhis
sociateS, well merits Il somewhat detailed descrip
ton.
HE Is \ SMALL NAN:
small graceful and well formed. His hair once
black but now tinged with gray, is cut short, and
always brushed with great care. The same may
he said of his trim mustache. He is always dressed
with the utmost neatucss and in the very latest
claims TO have been educated in 4 German mill
tary school. Still, singulary enough he cannot
speak Two words of German, and during our war
he was never heard ofin either army. He has no
visible means OF support. and has never been
known TO have a penny Of money. He is never
permitted to stay long in hotel, the reasons for
his frequent removals being entirely Of financial
character. Numerous too cOniiding people
complain that he has disgraceful habit of
pf,, bpp-
ToWed in great hurry and with the utmost ease
Cfmanner, just TO pay hackrnan,' or something
of that sort you know And still this person is
to-day, and has been for two three years past,
one Of the lions of Washington society He is seen
at nearly every noteworthy entertainment during
the season. He is frequently the escort of ladies
whose husbands hold high public positions. Last
year of those lovely bits OF gossip always
current here, connected his name with that of a
distinguished Senator's WIFE, q very gay lady, no
longer young. During that time it was noticeable
that he was less frequent i'll demanding small
leans from the general public than he had ever
been before. This season the Captain affects
the company of very young women
he CAN BIZ SEEN DAILY
on the public promenade with the daughter OF
ell-known Western capitalist, and nearly every
newspaper notice of a reception, party, or ball
contains some mention of mis- having been marked
OfcOUrse these young ladies do not know that the
darl, eyed and graceful captain has wife in
small seaport city-a wife who, by hard work,
keeps his three children from starving. Such how
ever, is the case. Let it be added that the Cap
tain has neither intellect nor accomplishment to
recommend him. He has s great fund of small
talk lie dresses well, and he is possessed of mpu
dencc and assurance worthy of all admiration.
These are the qualities which make it possible for
Ii sr,,Ia yo1o ha oFocI
success may be summed up in the two words
sublime cheek With the aid of This capital, |
and by judiciOuS lying III regard 10 his influence
with public men, he has obtained footing, not |
only in the shoddy world about him, but also with
a number of people who ought TO be proof against
Such sWindleTS. |
HE is on TERMS OF INTIMACY
with several Of the foreign ministers, and from |
time TO time imparts TO them i'll mysterious way |
what they ore silly enough to regard as important
State secrets affecting the policy of the Govern
ment He is frequently consulted by even the |
most pTetentious of society women who are |
about 10 give entertainments. and it must be ad-
mitted that most of them sadly in need of his
advice. This is not fancy SKETCH There is more |
than one close observer life in the Capital who
viii readily identify the Captain from the de- |
scription of him given That such character |
can not only exist but flourish here may in itself
be taken a very good indication of the elements
which go to make up
WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
but even the good qualities of address, a glib |
tongue, and certain mysterious manner which |
greatly impresses simple people, and which are
possessed By the Captain in marked degree, are
by no means necessary to social success in Wash
ingtou. There is hardly a house in the city-thet |
is of public oficial-to which anybody man or |
woman, who is not nOtoriously disreputabIe and |
who is supplied with presentabIe coat or dress,
cannot freely enter. The ease with which such
entrce may be obtained viii be The better under
stood when # is explained that person Of any
sort of standing who leaves card and respect
able address at the house OF any of the so-called
great men who are in the habit OF giving the !
lavish entertainments most talked about in the
newspapers is almost certain to be remembered |
when the invitations 10 such entertainments are |
seat out. With but few exceptions large party
giyers here vie with each other in trying to at
tract large crowds. They throw their doors wide
open, and it
ALs;OST LITERALLY TRUE
that all who VII may enter. The result Of this
peculiar styleof hospitality can be better imagined
than described. AT least, no one will deny that
the average Washington reception IS a very much
mixed affair. To be sure, such receptions are at
tended by very many agreeable people, by a few
who have won distinction by deserving it. and by
Others who owe whatever fame they have TO the
power of newspapers which il is not a all unlikely
they arc just idiots enough 10 affect to deSpse At
almost any Ct these crushes men and women of
the classes mentioned may be seen, but the great
masses Of the yfsilorS are invariably ''nobodes"
with sprinkliEg Of adventures and sWindlers,
who take great interest in the supper and side
beard. AT an entertainment given by high Coy
crnmcnt Official the other evening, foT instance,
Justice Of the Supreme Court might have been
seen side by side with very fair-Spoken man who
makes living by playing with unsuspecting Wis
itOrS to the Capital an exceedingly neat game of