Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-15
AMERICA CARlCATURED.
Mrs. Dahlgrsn's Book. "a Wash
ingtOn Winter Creates q
Stir.
society Painfully Surprised
The truth Hurts.
s,,,I,l = Conm,rciai Gazette.


for Observing il which society here Ia:
tlong accorded its author. The aston
lishment over her travesty-tor such
( her work is found to be from end to
ead-is unbouuded. Her friends adj
nit their modification, and sone Of
them do not hesitate to give full vent
Go their indignation. And no wonder,
tor Mrs. DAhlgren has 0ntdone Dick
ems in ell those csrieAtures which so
outraged Americans
Here is the picture which the au.
thor, who figures in the work as Mrs
Wilton, draws Of the wife Of Cabi
net officer On reception. With the
remark The women We have Just left
illustrates American Institution In all
their glory"
The wife Of the first Secretary
called upon was gorgeously arrsyed in
stunning dress Of terra Gotta red
brocade, sprofasely furbelowed, and
trimmed with back Spanish lace,
while an extraordinary turban head
dress, surmounted by plume such as
he of Navarro wore, completed the
costume aud gave her a very top lofty
air. The day was one of that excep.
tiOnal loneliness so often enjoyed in a
Washington winter. Butthe glorious
sunlight was excluded from this pOr
tentious house. Every shutter was
closed. The heavy draperies were all
closely drawn, so as to shut out any
possible ray of cheerful sunlight
Scores of gas jets, covered with red
shades. were in full blast, aud as the
front doors were Of necessity opened
every moment for the ingress and
egress of the motley crowd, the effect
Of the ever conflicting hues was
hideous. An immense negro, with q
voice like a COrliss engine, asked the
names, and then announced the com
ers, Wto we're borne in on the blast Of
sound.
AS our little party entered the
house, they were promptly accOsted,
"Wot's yer uames?"
MRS. Wilton, Miss Wilton. Miss
Stevens, and Prince NikOlaus Skybe-
loff."
These we're no sooner given than
the ebony usher baWled out: Miss
Melton, Miss Steyes and Points Nix
lass Skylark, upon which Mrs. Sec
rotary at once shook hands all round,
exelaiming, "How dye do, Miss
Melton, Miss Stoves and Mr. What's
your-name? This 10 my little gal,
Sary."
Now, Sarah, who stood in a straight
line on a crack of the floor beside her
mother, was taking look at the world
at twelve, and wore a blue silk dress,
aounced to her waist, aud her hair
banged.
'Itis pleasant" said Mrs. Wilton,
more courteous than candid perhaps,
ito have your daughter assist you,
Madam"
lob, yes" said Mrs. Secretary, I'm
greatly obliged to you, mum. Susy's
a good gal; never hev t. lick her
Won't you, Hiss Melton, and them
other ladies, and Mr. Whst's-his
name. that Gun with you, take some
thiHg 10 esA 0ns gets very done out
goiag the rounds and psadling Of
cards ell day long. The Fitiles is 10 |
the back room. and yer more than !
welcome. We never give drinks here. |
Ssesgse We are wholly, entirely and
tsst0fsliy isupers9ee
"Tha1ks." said HT;. Wilton, we
viii take tea then"
AZ they gliaed the welcome, fresh |
sir, the PFiase exclaimed: 1T is well |
| an With you ladies, for otherwise |
should need a glossary 70 explain the |
idi0u."
You would need more than . CLOS
ssgy here, replied Mrs. Wilton. for |
Lhs EoM1n We have Just left illustrates
American INSTITUTIONS 10 all their
glory. Her Husband srst saw her
re ally beautiful arms, il Is said, &C she
stood over q Washtub. With sleeyes
aprOllsd, .! he door Of her fathers |
inn ia feEss. The future Secretary |
has had . large cattle yalsh on the |
Texan plains, snd he took the buyom |
beauty home IS his wife, and installed
her as mistress over bis roony house. |
His Aocks and herds prOsrsred, and
bis money sept him to Congress, from
whence his Stentsris9 voice lifted him
into Cabinet position, Ehere, you,
see, bis wife is doing the honOrs"
1t is trBe, there have been several
wives Of Cabinet officers Vho we're
plain Americans, With RoTe love Of
quiet homes and motherIy, womanly
ways than Of the requirements Of
ofieial life; but it is as far as possible
from tue Hltb TO intimate that this
extract was ever deserved by any Of
them. If there is aay class in Wash
ington against which q volume OF 50
tire and ridieuIe might be properly
launched, II is the email number
whose lives move only 10 the ruts
marked out In the authors former
work, entitled Washington Eli.
quette.' ....
The army, the navy, the Senate and
the House; ia short, all that goes to
make up Washington society outside
Of Mrs. Wilton's Conversations
all receive the same treatment, but the
whole is Introduced with the state.
ment in The preface. "0ur aim 10
this book, however, has been TO give
types which are often found Ia Wash
ipRton life. For, 10 one word, Wash
ingtop represents the nation"
The tyEieal gsbleet officer appears
at an evening reception as the nus.
band Of the lady whose afternoon re-
ception is previously described To
add to the curious taste Of the pie.
ture, the Secretary being represented
as a temperance man, the typical naval
officer proceeds to get him drunk for
the amusement OF the Mrs. Wilton
herself, the lady who throughout the
| urorir =. 4