Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-22
MRS. DAHLGKEN'S BOOK.
Washington "SOciety" Carica-
tDred by One Who Ought
to ARea.

A Washington letter says: There
are quite large number of Washing
ton society people here enjoying the
comforts OF their we'll arranged homes
instead of subJecting themselves to the
inconvenience Of watering place
hotels. The summer has been SO cool
and pleasant that they have found life
very enjoyable here.
But among them there has suddenly
risen a great disturbance. 1t has
been occasioned by Mrs. Dahlgren' s
new book, "a Washington Winter.
They are indignant at the pic
ture given by Mrs. Dahlgrens OF
Washington life. A lady said to
me yesterday Why, it is perfectly
dreadful Mrs. Dahlgren was the
daughter Of a United States Senator,
and at her second marriage became
the wife OF an Admiral Of the navy
She certainly oughtto have had oppor-
tnnities to know something about
Washington society, but the worst
that has been written by all the
swarm who have published So called
Washington novels has been as mild
as moonlight compared with the raw
lngs of this old woman. She may have
met such society as she describes, but
never did. The cultured people from
all parts of this country and ell the
distinguished foreigners who come to
America may be met with in Wash
ington society. And, while l confess
that it happens all too frequently that
low, ignorant men are elected to Con,
gress. yet am sure that they are the
exception. not the rule. We have men
OF great culture in Congress, and il
they have avoided Mrs. Dahlgren, it
must be her own fault.
"Of course, you know what the ami
mus OF the whole book was, don't you?
Well, III tell you. You must know
that Mrs. Dahlgren, who is nothing if
she is not thrifty, has been trying for
years to net the government to pay
her $l50,OO0 for the guns which her
husband invented. Secretary Thomp
son, of the navy, after carefully inves-
tigating the case absolutely refused to
recommend any such payment. He
was satisfied that such a payment
would be unjust. And his action at
terly defeated Mrs. Dahlgren. To
get even, as the slangy people say,
Mrs. Dahlgren writes book in which
she holds up Secretary Thompson and
his wife to ridicule. Her description
OF these people is most unjust, for
Mrs. Thompson was lady and Mr.
Thompson a delightfully."- quaint old
gentleman, with charming, old style
manners.
Il don't know who Senator Span
gler' was. The character has attri'
Outes belonging to several. have
heard that she meant it for Senator
Carpenter. But that cannot be 81
unless the woman is fend, for Mr.
Carpenter was devoted to his family
he drank very heavily, though,
believe. But he was by no mean
D tie ignorant man that 'Spangler' was
e DE was one of the most brilliant law
yers in the country. And then h
E never builta house. Senator Stewart
E OF Nevada, did-a very queer sort Of
/ structure-but it couldn't have bee
! Mr.. Stewart.
Il "Of course Mrs. Wilton is Mr.
Dahlgren herself, and she certainl
: was snobbish (may | use such
| word?) enough for it to be prett
/ fair picture. The daughter and nice
b we're her own two daughters by he
/ first marriage with Mr.. Goddard, {
Ohio.
r Senator Roland is Senator HoaI
e Clarence is Clarence King; MI
d Clysmic no one can identity; tn
/, Commodore is General Van Vliet, {
n the army, nobody can dispute that.
Ie Indeed, l am glad Mrs. Dahlgre
d has written the book, for | beliey
t that now her social status will be sci
r tied. She ought to have the col
rs shoulder after this, don't you thin
Il 500"
ID And after careful review Of tn
book your correspondent is incline
at to agree with the stately dame, who
IN eyes shone with SO much indignatio
TO while she talked.