Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-13
CHARACTERS FROM LIFE.
PHILADELPHIA THE SCENE OF
MRS. .DARLGREN'S NEW BOOK.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10.--Mrs. Dahl
gren, widow of the Admiral, but better
known to the world as a novelist and ex-
leader In Washington society, will soon
have another book on the press. AS in the
case of her first one it's characters will be
chosen from among we'll known people in
society circles. The scene, however,
will be laid in Philadelphis instead OF
Washington. as in her first work any one
familiar with the originals will recognize
their personality at glance through the
thin disguise which the author will throw
about them. All who have read Mrs.
Dahlgren's previous works are expecting
treat, and they are likely to get one,
especially II they are up in philadelphia
social matters. The book 10 sure to create
a sensation, such as all Mrs. Dahlgren's
works have created. 1t Will be remem-
bered that when the announcement was
made that her novel on Washington sO-
clety was in press everybody in high
social and official circles was on the tip
toe OF excitement. Every prominent So
ciety person was wondering II he or she
would figure in the story and
little else was talked about for the
time being. When finally the book ap-
peared the copies were snatched up so
rapidly that the booksellers had to order
new supply the day after publication.
1t is said that nearly $4,000 copies were
sold the first week, and the total number
sold reached about $4,000. The book
caused great many quarrels and bick-
erings. The people who figured in the
story complained that Justice had not
been done them, and those that were left
out were angry at the slight, as they fam
| cted 1t. Had not Mrs. Dshlgren's place
In society been so firmly fixed as 1t was
| she would have hardly dared to face the
storm. But she had an exclusive set of
| her own here and felt her position to be
secure. She was under President Gar
field and Arthur's administration pretty
much what Mrs. Whitney Is under Presi-
| dent Cleveland's. Her receptions were
unequaled at the capital, and an invita-
ton to one was certificate OF high social
standing. She attempted to introduce the
Paris salon fashion, after the style of
Madame DeStael, and succeeded in
| measure. She formed literary
| club which met at her house frequently,
and was composed OF tho most learned
men and aDlest takers a. the capital.
There were but few members, and those
Of the highest rank in their respective
fields. No suoh society was ever organ
lied here before, and its meetings were
the talk OF Washington at the time. haet
GEN. FREMoNT's BOOK.
The latest literary candidate for popu-
lar favor emanating from this city is Gen.
John G. Fremont's book, the first volume
OF which is to be published this week
| The book is entitled, Memoirs of MY
Life; A Retrospect OF Fifty Years" The
narration includes the story OF the young
engineer g five journeys of adventurous
! Western exploration, from the first expe-
ditiOn in 1S42 to the last great exploit of
1854. The Fremonts live in a large COM
modiOus house that overlooks the grounds
of the British Legation. The family at
present here consists of Gen and Mrs.
Fremont and their daughter. He has two
| sons, both of whom are married. One is
! in the navy and the other lives in Mon
| tana. The work room Is on the second
| floor of the house. There is bay window
in the east end of the room, on the right
of which is placed the Generals table
| On the other side of the window is placed
Mrs. FremOnt's table, large plain affair
covered with green leather The General
| dictates, and Mrs. Fremont writes down
each word Of the story as it tails from his
| lips. In the above is placed a type
writer, and with 1t Miss Fremont trans
| forms her mothers manuscript into neat,
legible print. The rule OF the house is TO
rise at 7, eat something light and begin
work at 8, and continue until ~, when
the regular breakfast is taken. At /
| O'Clock they resume work and never stop
until O'Clock, when they have dinner. In
the evening the copy Is sent out AID in the
morning other proof sheets are received
| from the printer. Gen. Fremont is now
| IA years old, but looks mucn younger.
| The family Will remain in their present
| quarters during the coming winIer and
| expect TO complete by spring the second
volume OF the memoirs. Fifty thousand
sets OF the work have been engaged in ad-
vance, and it is likely that this number
will be doubled when the book Is before
the public.
SOCIETY CIRCLES DULL.
In society circles everything is at stand
still just now. All the society leaders are
OF course out Of town. When they return,
however, one Of the most brilliant seasons
in the history of the capital will be inau-
gurated. President and Mrs. Cleveland are
not expected at the White House for some
| little time yet. and 1t is hardly probable
the house Will be inhabitable by that time.
just now chaos reigns. The wood work
| Is being repalnted and vanished all over
the house, including the Presidents pri-
vate apartments. After tiat the
carpets and draperies are to
| De put IN place, Win some IeW
changes In furnishing, particularly OF the
sleeping rooms. Their country house is
also rapidly approaching completion and
may be ready next month for occupancy.
| II was the Presidents original intention
10 spend October in his cottage, and he
may do so. Secretary and Mrs. Whitney
are now occupying their beautiful sum-
mer residence at LennOx. Should the Pres
ident and Mrs. Cleveland stop at Lennox
on their return trip they will be enter
tained by the Secretary OF the Navy with
an elegant reception. Lennox society is
anxiously looking forward TO promised
visit from ex-President Arthur, who WAS
great iavorite during mis- stay there last
season,
NOTED CHARACTER DEAD.
Alexander Hubert, better known to
Washingtonlans as "5andy," ls dead. He
was the oldest employe at the White
House. He has been engineer OF the
house for years and, besides this, great
weather prophet, beating the weather
bureau all to pieces. When Sandy first
entered the public service under Presi-
dent Buchanan there was little or no
need for the services of an engineer, and
he devoted most OF his time to the milk
supply OF the household. There used TO
be large vault under the north p0rtico,
and here Sandy kept all his milk and
cream, making regular milk house out
OF the bin now used for coal. Dur
ing Gen. Grants first term San