The Washington critic., 1888-01-09
TOPICS OF THE DAY..
How Mr. Lamar Finally Disposed of
an Annoying Visitor.
THE COST OF STATE DINNERS.
why Mr.. watterson likes the Pres
idcnt-Gcneral Shcrman's
Social Arrangements.


idcnt-Gcnera Shcrman's
Social Arrangements.
Says the Washington correspondent
of the Chicago Nows: heard a. good
story about Henry Watterson and the
President from gentleman to whom
Mr.. Watterson related it. During his
last visit to Washington Mr.. Waiter
son, at the invitation of the President,
spent an evening at the White House,
and the two men were not long in in
teresting each other with stories and
"reminiscences. eve had an excel
lent time" said Watterson, "and
after the President had related TO me
good story, at which / heartily
laughed, thought IT would be very
good time TO mention a little matter
that was on my mind, and in which /
felt some personal interest. Accord
ingly, j began my statement. hadn't
proceeded far when noticed an en-
tire change in his manner He
seemed TO freeze right up, and il was
not long before he appeared TO me az
monumental icicle. OF course was
frozen out, and, without finishing my
statement, took up my hat and said
Good night, Mr.. President That is
the kind of jolly good fellow Cleve-
land Is"
w.
Carpenter in the New York World!
What does q state dinner cost? 1t is
hard to say, but Arthur's most ordi-
nary state dinners cost him $40 a
plate, and he spent $1,000 and more
on the nine state dinners which he
gave in 1888. Arthur had many fine
wines, and the cost Of his wine was
equal to one-third the cost of the
whole dinner. At Grants big din
ners there were six wine-glasses at
each plate, and in the middle Of the
dinner a frozen punch was served.
Jefferson spent 81 cocoon wines while
he was President, and Washington
always had wines at his dinners.
Jackson treated his guests to punch,
and as for Hayes, his Roman
punch was watched for by the
drinkers at his state dinner-tables.
John Tyler's brandy cost him 81 q
gallon, and James Buchanan fed his
dogs ON tenderloin steaks. Hayes
spent a good deal while he was in the
White House, and his dinners cost
him at least S15 for each guest. Cleve-
lands dinners cannot cost him less
than SO plate, and the dinner of
last night must have cost between
$500 and $500.
Wv
SAYS the New York Sun. General
William r. Sherman occupies two bed
rooms and parlor, adjoining, on the
second floor of the Fifth Avenue
Hotel. Only one of the bedrooms is
reserved for his own use. The other
is occupied by one of his daughters
Miss Rachel or Miss Lizzie. Mrs
Sherman is not in good health JUS
now, and she finds that the atmos
phere of Morristown, N. j., is more
agreeable to her than New York, and
spends most of her time there. The
daughters divide their time between
New York and Morristown, so aS
to be, in turn, with theil
father and mother. General Sher
man finds that constant dining Ou
has affected even his ostrich-like di
gestion, and he begins the new yeai
with good resolution, namely, that
he will accept only three dining-out
engagements per week. He has re-
solved to keep TO this rule religiously
He is very scrupulous in the point OF
returning calls, particularly those
made by old comradesin arms. While
second lieutenants in obscure foot rN'.
iments spread their names, usy y
parted in the middle, all over a highly
glazed card leaving just space enough
for their military rank and the regi.
ment to which they belong, General
Sherman uses the simplest possible
visiting card. 1t is thus inscribed;
"William I, sherman, General"
#*#
] ventured to tell a story last week
says the Gossip" of the New York
Tribune, about Secretary Lamar, il
which that gallant and courteous gen
tleman was represented as successfully
evading the opportunities of a woman
claimant. The woman, according tC
the story, espied the Secretary driving
in his carriage TO the Interior Depart
ment, and, to the CONSERVATION of hei
helpless victim, hailed the driver
who, regardless of Lamar's protest
halted the vehicle at the curb, where
the Secretary succeeded only after Tho
most polite remonstrances in Olsen
gaging himself from the claimant
upon protesting that he was OF
his way to fill an importan
engagement. "That story" sale
Mr.. Lamar to friend Of mine the
other day, SIS entirely correct But,
added he, itdoesn't tell al" "How''
that" "Well, you know, after the
coachman drew up at the sidewalk
got out and passed the time of day
with her. 1t is true (here the SeCre
tary slightly blushed) that may have
been more than usually polite, ] haC
to be, you'll understand that. Blu
this is all | said; Madam, won't yol
step i'm the cawiageV She immedi
ately complied with the request.
then closed the door and told tn,
coachman; Drive Mrs. - TO he
house. And then | walked to m,
Office"
A Compliment to Judge Bingham
Judge Edward f. Bingham was owe
here from Washington few days since
says the New York Press. He is one q