Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.

hao ueslgbed 10 give the LEDGE
Ia detailed account OF the CARTEL
Fair, but there was not a very glow
ing result 70 report aud the interes
therein soon FAveled out. Tn
lack OF a hearty response from tn,
public was mainly due TO the fact tina
people we're more interested in thr
hospital enterprise than the scheme 70
a marble shaft
The assembling Of Congress brouph
In the usual BhirliRig OF exeitemen
and CONNIE encement Of winter iestivi
ties,
Margaret Mather, a new star in tn
dramatic world, came upon the hes;
zln early in the season, and while 10,
Jefferson was here az the Nations
Iacater gave strong test of he
drawing power TO many delivhteS
audiences. She is a slight, delicately
beautiful young 0irl on the stage, anc
full OF promise OF dramatic genius.
The advent of the holidays and
Preparations incident to the seasor
absorb one halt Of the popu
latiop with genuine interest anC
hilarity, while the debates on
civil service reform in Congress have
Kept some other people in smiles or q
broad laugh. 1t is to be hoped that
while stumbling they will fall upon
some right meaure, il they really know
what is needed. Very few of the
solons know anything about the ma
chinery Of civil service OF the govern
ment, as sly as it is kept.
Tho fate Of the Pendloton bill 10
the House is very uncertain. Truth
is, not half dozen mem lers, possibly
have given heed or attention TO the
civil service Of the government, and
their movements toward an ad, ouate
system is a sort Of tanglefoot affair.
The recent bop at the Metropolitan
Hotel brought jOcund hour on the
Tight fintastic toe, or thereabouts
and many bright and notable people
participated in the festive occasion.
Among the distinguished guests we
specially noticed we're Seaator Brown
ana family, OF Georgia; Senator Ran
som. Hon. Clement David, Hon Oscar
Turner, wife and daughter-the latter
q very spirited dancer. MIR. Hop
Johnston, Of the New York Herald,
and Mrs Johnston, nee Miss Mollie
Smith, Of Mississippi. Her costume
Of handsome silk with brooade velvet
all black, was the most elegant aud
tasteful dress of the evening, and her
mQyemen: through the exqisie waltz
with her liege lord the very poetry OF
motion.
These little nothings Of life may be
made very diverting and pleasant
where the individual brings to bear a
delicate taste, that renders them re-
fined trifes and nothing more.
Mr.. Johnston is, as the LEDGER
knows, one Of the most gifted of Jour
nalists, and brightest in a galaxy Of
the ablest writer's at the capital. lie
is making his election to a noble
future certain. Bis uncle, Judge
Sanders j Johnston, Of this city, a splen
did specimen Of noble man, has
a daughter highly gifted, whois now
studying in Paris, perfecting her fine
voice, which has already given great
delight in this city TO those who have
listened TO her, both in opera and pri
vate circles. gifts seem to be the
correct coin in this family Miss
Lizzie Johnston, sister of the Judge.
as you may know, is the author OF
that lovely and rare library book re-
Gently published in Boston, THE
Portraits OF Washington " Washing
ton City, with its 10000 Inhabitants,
may seem a small place TO the denizens
of Boston, Philadelphia and other
towns Of larger growth, but it is
crammed, so to speak, with talent, and
oi no mean order either In any
coterie here, in any and all the de-
pirtments and avenues OF industry,
one will find rare and gifted people
Probably before this reaches your
readers COLONEL Herndon, member
from Alabama, may be no more. DR..
G,rnett, his physician, has little hopes
Of his recovery.
The New Years reception at the
White House came to sad and sud
den termination just before the
hour for receiving the cit
izens by the death of the
Hawaiian Minister, Mr.. Allen, who
lel' with heart disease, while in the
cloak room. making ready to depart.
IL was a bright pleasant day, and
everybody donned his holiday spirit
aud dress coat The interior embel-
lishments OF the chambers Of the Ex
ecutive Mansion we're very 6ne and
tasteful, having just received the fin
ishing touches Of several artistic
hands. The improvements are varied.
beautiful and unique-the designing
by H. NJ. Lawrenoe-Mr Il GriswOld
having had general charge of the
work. The order had been given to
Louis @. Tiffany g. 90, and for seven
weeks a corps of we'll trained artists
and workmen have been busy, night
and day, adorhing the Executive
Home. The east room is as Mrs
Garfield lett it save for the removal Of
the old Turkey red carpet, and In
place is a pale yellow Auxminster oil
unusually heavy quality. The green
room remains the same as formerly
fitted up by Mrs, Garfield, but the
blue room has been quite gorgeouslJ
and daintily embellished, relurnished
etc.
For the sake of some of the lady
readers CT the LEDGER, | will Civ,
you q glimpse Of the Blue Room deco
ration, every detail in its appointment
being Of the finest character.
The carpet is a heavy Ayminster, s,
heavy it is said that one has only /,
Glide across the floor to become sur
charged with electricity.
First, floor of dark antique blue
then ascending walls Of light tint, and
above all. a ceiling where the blu,
mslts gradually into gray and silver
The furniture 10 covered with heav,
blue silk canvas, through which
golden thread is woven to give it
ohangeable hue. The curtains Of th
same material, trimmed at the bottom
with heavy plush, and at the top wit
fringed bards Of the same material
| they are tied with silk monte cloth
The walls are Of robius' egg blue, an
the surface of plain color has hoe