National Republican., 1882-12-09
SOMETHING SOCIAL.
The New Master OF Ceremonies Mt the
White House = Personal and General
Gossip.

The New Master of Ceremonies Mt the
White House - Personal and General
Gossip.
The new marshal of the district Mr.. Nc
Michael, although comparatively a young
man, has charming family TO bring with
him from Philadelphia, when he is fairly es-
tablishcd in the duties of the office he was so
suddenly called upon to take charge Of Hav-
ing sustained intimate social relations with
President Arthur heretofore, he is eminently
ftted to revive the courty prestige that once
attached itself to the marshal, as u member of
the presidents official household. BY ancient
custom this worthy made the presentations on
occasions of ceremony, and society veterans
remember tho imposing figure Of Marshal
Ward II. Lamon, who stood by President Lin
coins side Mt all his great levees; also the ruddy
countenance of Marshal Gooding, who as
sisted President johnson, and Marshal Sharp
who sometimes announced the names of visi-
tors to President Grant. Under President
Grants administration the marshal
departed from the old routine, and in
that military household the duty
oftener devolvcd upon the officers attached
TO the executive mansion. Upon the appoint
ment of Frederick Douglass to the marshal
ship of the district Col. Casey, as superintond-
ent of public buildings and grounds, was
asked to perform this duty for President and
Mrs. Hayes. Col. Casey made the introduce
tions upon tho occasion of Mrs. Garfield's s
first public reception, and it seemed evident
then that Col. Rockwell would have sue
ceedcd him in this function in lieu of Marshal
Henry during these four years. With Mr..
McAlichael, the marshalship will be restored
to its old social standing and the traditions of
the republican court scrupulously observed.
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin having confessed
himself rs homcsick and weary of the stately
&c ~,
toward his native land, and is expected in this
city next week. 1t is rumored that Minister
Sargent and family are suffering from the
same dread disease, nostalgia, and pine for
the vines and fig trees of their California
home. The stiff ceremonies and frivolities of
the German court offer little attraction to
young ladies of such serious tastes and pro-
found accomplishments as the Misses Sargent,
while their mother even here preferred the
enjoyment of her own ssfresidc circle to the
routine of official society. Tho aristocratic
frauleins of Berlin have puzzled themselves
not a little over the unusual taste and attain
ments of these American girls and Miss Ella
Sargent, rs regularly graduated physician,
is an object of the greatest wonder to them.
The white house still remains barred-otf
and boarded-up mystery to the sghtseers and
strangers. The decorative artists have ad-
vanced their stagings to the entrance vesti-
bule now, and are touching up the ceiling in the
places where it had become discolored. 1t is
expected that the President will be able to re-
turn to his mansion by the Goth of this month,
although it depends entirely upon the move
ments of the artists who are now at work
there. The new blue room WILL it is said be
the chef d'oeurre of Tifany's society.
Mrs. Clark, the sister of Representative Page
who has been visiting here for the past week
left for her home, in New York, last night.
| Representative Crapo and wife, of Massa-
chusetts, have taken rooms at Wormley's foI
this session. instead of retaining the handsome
residence on Lafayette square, where they
have dispensed such a charming hospitality
during previous winters.
Mr.. David 2. Seller and Miss Seller, of Lon
don, have come to Washington to make NOR,
than a travellers hasty visit. These agreea
BILE English people are domiciled at Worm
ley's where the young duke Of Newcastle i
| also lodged.
1t is cruel enough to call the house of repre-
scntatives the morgue," from the number o
moribund statesmen who are exposed to pub
lie view there, and to accuse the unreturnet
o1beginning their speeches with "morituy
SGlutdnnS;;" but their feelings are wounded
in another way when it is asserted that they
patronize the three-cent street cars altogether
| this winter. This commendable economy
which begins at home may gradually extend
to other things and official life again partake
OF the primitive and Spartan simplicity of the
early days of the republic.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bancroft Davis, Mr.. and Mrs
Wickham Hoffman, and Mr.. John A. King
and family form an agreeable coterie of New
Workers at Wormleys this winter.
Senior Barca's family have returned to the
city for the winter, and Madame Barca and
| her daughter having laid aside the mourning
which they assumed last spring, are again
mingling in society. Little Miss Barca is
even more piquantly pretty than before, and
is destined to continued belleship in diplo.
matte circles Madame Barca has not selected
any special reception day for the season, but
receives informally any of their friends who
call at the Spanish legation.