The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-10-19
washington in Bnchanan's Time.

10 SDliit Oit, tbtt fort thc pitiy
Because sat behind her.
Washington in Bnchanan's Time.
Washington was very gay in
Buchanan's time, and those who en-
joyed the gay scene could have said
as Talleyrand did before the French
Revolution of 1880, "We dance on a
. volcanor' Nor has there ever been
since the masquerade so fatal to
Gustayus of Sweden an entertain
ment en- costume about which so
much was said in advance, and has
been said since, as that which was
given by Senator Gwin, of Califor-
mia. For weeks previous it was the
staple topic Of metropolitan gossip,
and .'what to wear" was discussed
c,,en more than the Lecompton Con-
stitution. The Libraries of Congress
and OF the Smithsonian Institu-
ton were ransacked for plates of
costumes, the tailors and mantua-
makers were kept busily engaged,
gold lace commanded exorbitant
prices. cxpressmen had innumerable
commissions to execute, the ward
robe Of the thcater was stripped, and
two Now York costumers brought on
collections of fabulous attire, which
they loaned at fabulous prices. Sen
ator Gwin resided in new and spa
eious ',rick house, with rooms on
either side of the hall and large
ball room. The ladies' dressing
room was in the third story, and the
gentlemen arrayed themselves in the
basement, where the Office OF the
host had been converted into a
punch room, with two gigantic
bowls, which were kept supplied
with delectable beverages, one spir-
ituous the other vinous. This room,
writes Ben Perley Poore, was the
headquarters of a dozen Senators,
who cordially fraternized. and seem
ed to forget that they had recently
been shivering lances on each 9th
ars regulations in the Congressional
arena. Mrs. Gwiu received her
guests in u saloon at the end of the
hail, at the door Of which stood an
usher, who announced each new
conner by the name Of the character
assumed Mrs. Gwin, who was
large, fine-looking woman, was elab-
orately attircd as a marchioncss of
the Court of Versailles. Her 1ress
was of heavy moire antique silk,
richly founced and trimmed with
exquisite lace,with train of cherry
colored satin, trimmed with ruches
of white satin. Miss Gwin, who.
aided her mother in receiving, was
dressed as Greek girl in holiday
costume. Over her dress of white
satin, trimmed with chcrry-colored
satin stripes, she wore skirt of
tulle, trimmed with silver, her bod
ice jacket was OF blue satin, trim
med with silver, and she wore
jaunty cap with boots of the same
materials, with rich pearls braided
in her hair. Miss Carrie Gwin,
younger sister, attended her mother
as Il page,wearing becoming doub-
let of maroon velvet with white satin
trunks and long silkcn hose.
President Buchanan, the men,
bers Of his Cabinet and Senators
we're permitted to wear their ordina-
ry costumes. Mr.. Buchanan was of
course the observed of all observers,
and he was surrounded by a motley
group, with whom he exchanged
many sallies Of wit. All regretted
that he was not accompanied by his
niece Miss Lane, but "costume obli-
gatory" was on the invitations, and
she had not left off her mourning.
The Diplomatic Corps was out in
full force. Bluff and portly Sir Gore
Ousley wore his uniform as Knight
Commander of the Bath, Lady
Ounslcy the becoming costume Of
French marchioness, and Miss Gus
ley the dress of an Italian peasant
Lord Napier wore such court suit
as was probably sported by the first
British Minister TO this country, the
coat being of maroon colored velvet
and..the waistcoat and small clothes
Of white velvet, the whole trimmed
with gold lace. Lady Napier wore
corresponding lady's costume at
the close of the seventeenth century,
very elegant end becoming. Messrs
Hope, Russell and Manley, attaches
to the British Legation, were capi-
tally dressed as a Greek, Friar Tuck
and Nine of Diamonds. NJ. de
Stoeckl, the Russian Minister, came
en- domino noir, and appeared to en-
JOY the scene very much. His ac-
complished and elegant lady wore
the historical costume Of the Ouch
est de Nemours Of Henry IV.'s.time
with high standing ruff and long
waist. Waldemar de Bodisco, Sec
retary Of the Legation Ga nephew of
the old barons). was dressed as a
Muscovite postillion, hut the red
shirt was of silk, the black small
clothes were of velvet, and the whole
was trimmed with rich gold lace.
The French Minister was absent, but
the young gentlemen of the legation
came as pierrots, with the large but
tons on their white miller's coats
covered with satin of different col
ors.
Lieutenant Mowry, the delegate
from Arizona, as the Knight OF
Gwynne, wore a magnificent black
velvet dress of the time of Charles
H., slashed with white satin, and
profusely decked with diamonds; Mr.
Anson Burlingame, of Massachusetts
wore the costume ofJulian st. Pierre
of black velvet: slashcd with pink
satin; Mr.. L. NJ. Keitt wore the roy.