National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-26


Miss M. G.. Kaemmerer, who has been
visiting her sister, Mrs. Baltzley, In German
town. returned TO the Sprague Mansion
Wednesday last.
a@a
II is generally conceded that the Flora
McFlimseys Of fashion are in flutter as to
what they shall wear on given occasion,
but few imagine that her brothers are liable
to be disturbed about the matter OF dress
for the same event. Numerous men are
to-day bordering what they shall wear for
the New Years calls that are due next
week. "When shall appear in full dress?'
is to many persons one of the vexed and
vexing questions OF etiquette. IL is true
that the fashion OF this world passeth away,
and that the manners of the east are not
the manners Of the west; that Che faultless'
code OF manners has never been written;
but, In the face Of all that, there are fixed
and recognized rules as to many matters
about which llnger the sanction and aroma
Of good society. SO we say TO the hesta-
ting ones, the swallow-tail coat Is never In
order until o'clock or the dinner hour.
The frock cont is the morning dress coat
before the dinner hour, and should be worn
with dark necktie and silk hat, II cuta-
way coat or pea jacket is worn a derby Is
the proper head gear. All people do not
agree about these things, and Justice Miller,
Of the Supreme Court, will make his calls
on New Years Day, II he makes any, attired
in a swallow-tail coat. That is his pecu-
liarity. Often persons from the country
are seen making coremonious calls upon the
Cabinet ministers in full evening dress.
They apprehend IL is the proper
thing, when, in fact it is a
great mistake. II is said in New
York city that Horace Greeley was
the only man who ever went TO business in
swallow-tail coat. But, dear old man,
everybody loved his very eccentricties.
The President will receive on New Years
day in n Prince Albert coat. The gentlemen
who make the presentations Of civilians
will wear the same cut Of coat; II military
men, the full dress Of their rank. The
members OF the diplomatic corps will APP
pear In special ui,Ss. The British minister
and his secretaries win wear tho special
dress appointed by the court for members
OF the foreign service. Members OF other
foreign legations IN the city will wear
dress similarly appointed or the uniform of
some military organization with which
they may be connected. After paying
| their respects to the President,
| IL the Secretary of State gives
breakfast in their honor, they
will continue In full dress, and after that
assume frock coats for general calls. Gen.
Sheridan and his staff and the officers Of the
army and navy will greet tho President
| in the full regimental dress Of their rank
Gen. Sheridan, accompanied by some of his
aids, will make all the calls OF the day in
| full uniform. Officers who go about on foot
| prefer to wear citizens dress, as IL makes
them less conspicuous in the streets. No
man need commit the solecism Of making
morning or ante-dinner calls in swallow
tail coat.
There are few harder workers IN public
life than Secretary Manning. No one who
has not studied the details Of the Treasury
| Department have any idea of the immense
| amount of mere routine work that dovolves
upon the Secretary. Most of this work Is
altogether unnecessary and could be well
intrustcd to q subordinate. Mr.. Manning
is an early riser and attends to good part
of his private correspondence before break
fast. In this he resembles his predecessor,
Chief Justice Chase, who did q half days
work before breakfast time. From the
time he reaches the department, which is O
little before o, until the hour of his leaving,
which is after 3, Mr.. Manning is steadily
and increasingly at work. When he goes
home 1t is not to spend an evening OF leis'
ure, but as soon MS he finishes his dinner,
he repairs to his library, where matters OF
public interest engage his attention until
bed time. Mr.. Manning, like Mr.. Evarts, is
exceedingly fond of dinner parties, and be.
lleves In their potent effects upon the legisla.
tive mind. During the winter, II is under
stood that he will entertain handsomely
and extensively.
Hon. John s. Wise, who was defeated fol
the governorship of Virginia by Gen. Fitz.
hugh Lee, is possessed Of great versatility
Of talent. As an effective public speaker
he has no superior and few equals In Vir-
ginia. In addition he is brilliant news
paper writer and something of an artist. In
appearance Capt. Wise is unlike his father
Henry A. Wise. The distinguished eX-gov
ernor OF Virginia was tall aud very slight
with sharp, thin face and dark eyes. III,
son is short and stoutly built, with brown
hair and blue eyes. His face, which Il
smoothly shaven, indicates great tenacity Of
purpose. Like his father he has an eX
ceedingly musical voice. A gentleman from
Richmond, referring to the report that
Capt. Wise intended to leave Virginia and
locate in the northwest, declared that Il
was all nonsense, adding, that Capt. Wise
was heartily sick Of politics, which he had
entered from sense of duty, and intended
hereafter to devote himself to his profes
sion.
Mrs. Whitney, the wife Of the Secretary
of the Navy, will occupy her residence on
street for the first time on Christmas day
and will give house warming In the shape
| VI W u VI hFb
Whitney is very fond of society, and Is al
charming in conversation and manner al
she is In appearance. There is quite G
romance connected with her marriage with
Mr.. Whitney. When she first met him hi
was young lawyer but little known-sht
the daughter Of the millionaire Henry B
Payne. A great belle, she had any mum
bre of admirers, but despite of some opposi
tion upon the part of her family, she Sc
| Whitman oc har hTal nd
have only confirmed the wisdom of hel
choice. Mr.. Whitney, previous to his ap
pointment as Secretary of the Navy, hat
achieved high reputation as a lawyer q
the New York bar, and had accumulated
q large fortune. The hundreds who remem
Der the delightful dinners and receptions
givenby the Frelinghuysensr rejoice that the,
home by SO eompetentand graceful hostess
as Mrs. Whitney.
Mr.. Corcoran will celebrate his Syth birth
day tomorrow. He is enjoying excellen
health, and no one would think from hi
appearance that he had reached SO veneer
able an age. Mr.. Corcoran attributes hi
good health to his regular habits of living
He is and always has been on early riser
After light breakfast, generally piece o
toast and egg, Mr.. Corcoran drives to hi
Office adjoining Riggs Bank, where 1t
dispatches with rapidly and ease the man,
business questions that are presented Il
his consideration by his agent and conf
dental friend, Mr.. Anthony Hyde. Re
. turning home to lunch he spends the after
noon, II the weather permits, in calling
upon his numerous friends. At dinner Mi
: Corcoran eats heartily, but eschews al
: wines save Of the lighter sort, such a
clsret or hook. The evening he devotes h
his family or to the reception of visitors
In the enjoyment of this quiet, methodica
: life Mr.. Corcoran is passing "the evening @
his days. All classes in our community
which he has benefited so largely sby hi
! benevolence and public spirit, will mos
heartily join in wishing him happy Chris
mas and many returns OF mis- birthday.