New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-14
NEWYORK At THE CLOSE or THE REvOLU.
TON
From Watson WebDs privately pr.ned Refniscenceso OF
hfs Father General s. b. Webb

From Watson WebDs privately p.nted "Reminiscences O,
ne Father. General s. b. Webb.
The late David s. JONES' a very dear friend of
mine. said % me that one of his apusements "a 4
boy was regu arly and dailv to watch Gouverneuf
Morris and your grandfather make their appear
ance, about midday. from the fashionable barber
powdered hair and hats in hand, commence ths sn
daliv walk on the fashionable loung~, which ex.
zen from Cortandt st. to horris-st. on the
west side If Broadway, the front OF old Trinity be-
ing the point of attraction whore the ioungers most
soeia, 90, whom found living in 1919. | learned
very many characteris,ic anecdotes OF him ana oil
tae siate OF society IN this city at the close of the
Revoui ion. The political separation from the
mother country had not then, aud did not for the
upon social life, or change the character Of the 40
ciety of The city. or he standing aud character Of
the Old fami les. who, under the colonial system,
Family only as then the passport to society; and
az New-York during the whole OF our Revolution.
ary struggle. had been IN possesso1 Of the English
ana the headquarters oil the English army, IL be-
came even more aristocraIc than other centres Of
the royalists Like all imtatOrs they frequently
exceeded IN preiensions those whom they Initiated;
but the presence OF those who had conquered our
independ nee soon began exercise "a utary in
huence upon society while II IN no way lowered its
tone. Washington's court lost mono Of irs dignity
no period IN the b story of New-York was society
more attractive than from the close OF the ReyOu-
ton through The fist quarter Of the present CEN
woman, more than at any period since, gave a tone
to society which 1t has never recovered since the
early part OF the pr sent century.
Du ing Washngon's administration. and long
aftr tue Spanish Consul General hero was Don
Stoushton; aud became well acquainted with lis
widow IN 1919. She had, IN her day, been a great
beduty, AMI was. at the establish ent Of our Gov
eminent, one of the leaders Of fashion. From her
learned much OF the state Of society immediate
after the Reyo utiOn. Among other anecdotes, she
related he following:
At party near the Battery. where all the beauty
and Ion OF the cry we're assembled. very fear
Jul b orm Of ram. thunder anu lightning occurred,
just as he a sembiage were about to break up. Nv
Ia her. IN tights. with powdered hair, ETC., etc. OF
course. accompanied Madame 10 her carriage. At
that moment the Storm redOubled Its fury and her
horses became lrigb ened aud unmanag,aCle My
iather directed two m-n to their heads, Viii no
took Possession OF The box and th rrins; and Mad
anne hav ng been placed ia TIE carriage, he drive
tue fir gh ened safely to herr sidence AID then
10 hs Own, as ne was ILL no con al ION 10 return TO
the scene OF gayety. "such' said Madame was
the devotion OF tle gallants Of my day to the
ladies; but who ould now dream of O gentleman
playing 'Oachman. in fearful thunder sIOr "a.
dressed in tights, with slip GERS. and powered hair
ami no hat such vas sOcetJ then; you cann0t
fail TO mole the change