National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-26
JESSIE'S JINGLE
About Mrs. Hayes. the White House Re
cepiiOns, and a Patent Arm.

ceptfOns, and a Patent Arm.
To the Editor OF The Republican:
Washington just now is thoroughly
possessed with the spirit of the carnival" The
present administration, knowing that its sun is
setting seems determined TO go out in a food of
social glory and other high officials beside the
President whose terms expire on the 4th of March
are making the most of the close of their social
life in Washington, while everybody who is in the
rcmotest degree connected with society is ready
to put on his or her best dress and rush out to a
reception or hop upon the slightest provocation.
Looking upon the brilliant scene at the White
House on Saturday afternoon, 1 could but think
that although the sun was setting, it was goin G
down in halo Of crimson and purple, and gold,
especially old gold. Everybody seemed to feel
that Mrs. Hayes was an old friend whom they
might not meet again, and 10 greater degree than
any one else ever saw She has the faculty of max
ing every one whose hand she takes feel that she
IS his or her personal friend. For this reason l
was not surprised to hear a jolly looking gentle
man say to a companion, Il am real glad came,
because Mrs. Hayes was so hearty in her greeting
that am sure she would have been disappointed
if had stayed away" However
MRS. HAYES MAY HAVE BEEN CRITICISED
for carrying with her, and enforcing some of her
convictions in the White House, especially those
IT,,
it is generally remarked that she has a manner
peculiar to herself making her guests feel that
she is of them and personally interested in them
in short, of making them thoroughly comfortable
and at ease Having attended the first Of Mrs.
Hayes receptions, found myself contrasting it
with the brilliant affair of last Saturday. The first
was like cold gray morning compared to a
gorgeous tropical sunset. At the latter the sweet
heavy perfume was there and the exotics in all
their glory, while the human eXOtics supplied the
cOlOring, and the gas-lght served for first stars
little imagination, perhaps is necessary to trans
form reception, however gorgeous, into trop-
zeal sunset but Imagination is a convenient some
thing to have at hand, and so cheap that the
poorest may possess it. Furthermore believe we
get more pleasure out of it than out of all the real
things of life. Mrs. Hayes, at last Saturday. re-
ception,
WAS A RADIAST'CREATURE,
in her robe of white silk, with its richly -embroid-
cred sleeves and overdTesS, its laces and orna-
ments as compared with the Mrs Hayes of four
years ago on similar occasion, attired in black
silk, comparatively plain, and only relieved at the
neck by q cloud of white tulle. She had at that
time, as will be remembered, convictions - in re-
gard to dress; but they softened and gave way to
great extent under the pressure of her position,
80 THAI on last Saturday she was a much hand
somer and more elegant looking woman than on
the occasion of her first reception. Being the
Presidents wife seems to agree with her, too, for
she has gained in flesh and color within the past
four years. Although Mrs. Hayes may not be re-
membered as the most brilliant woman who ever
presided over the White House, she will
be remembered as a sensible, kindly man
nered, hearty, honest woman. As wife
and mother she is devoted and beyond
criticism. She represents the highest woman
hood, as does also the wife of the incoming Pres-
Gent who has the same substantial, wOmanly
qualities, togetherwithm acknowledgements, which
emnently fit her for the exalted position of repre-
sentative lady Of great nation. must say also,
that Mrs. Grant possessed the same excellent wo-
manly qualities for which Mrs. Hayes and Mrs.
GARFIELD are notable and it does look as though
The people were beginning to consider not only
that certain man would make good President,
OuI mat his wife would represent properly and
cedltably in her position the women of the United
States. While looking at Mrs Hayes the otherday
near the close of her reception,
NOTICED HER FLUSHED FACE
ana weary look, despite her effort not to appear
weary and the thought came into my head that it
AiuSl be about as hard work TO shake hands with
cloWdoipeoplc ortwo hours one could find to do
men wondered if would not do Just as well for
tne people to be introduced without shaking
hands, as itwould be much less exhalsting to the
persons receiving; but as we are Americans, and
consider Misunderstanding one of the inalienable
rights Of American citizens, suppose it would be
considered high handed outrage to abolish it
Hoh receptions. So Mrs. Garfield had bet
'eF spend her leisure time before her trial
comes in developing the strength and muscle
vi her good right arm. What benefactor to hu-
manly the man would be who would invent a
patent arm for people to shake at receptions! 1t
Ioulu De covered with an elbow sleeve to match
ule dress and twenty button kid glove, and the
genuine right arm could be worn gracefully in a
sung which might also match the dress or be
.I'ue OF some contrasting color, according to the
,>'e Oh the victim. ] merely throw this out as a
-i-Ii' 10 some inventive genius who wants to do
so-elhlng for suffering humanity If such an in
We 'eNlion were not adopted 1 should be ready to
sT-l IN the howl that republics are ungrateful and
eiioulu De IN favor of allowing Reavis to cart off
ule capital and dump it down wherever he might
choose TEcc1S