The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-27
THE WHITE HOUSE OF OLD.
Recalled by Visit to Washington of
a Former Mistress of That Mansion.

From the Ne1 York Press.
There is a lady in Washington just now
whose presence has created quite stir
among that more elegant portion of society
composed of the old residents. A circle, by
the way, so jealousy exclusive that its
leader, when asked why the Cabinet fami-
lies were not received, replied with naiv-
etc: 'Oh, we must draw the line ONE
where, you know The lady referred to
is above the common height of woman, her
figure is good and her bearing exceptionally
dignified and elegant. She has what we
call a fine face, stamped with both intellect
and sorrow, though lacking in feminine
softness. From her broad forehead snow
white hair is rolled back in the serene au-
dacity of the POmpadour, and her black
dress Grapes rather than clothes her stat
uesque form.
Twenty-Five years ago and more this
rather cold and stately matrOn was known
as the golden haired, violet eyed beautiful
Harriet Lane, the fairest mistress the White
House has ever had. She who drew about
her society SO refined, high bred and &C
complished that even jefferson Davis, who
hated her uncle, James Buchanan, de-
clared Miss Lane had created an ideal re-
publican court.
In the early sixties it meant something to
be a bells in the capital, for it is said by old
campaigners that never at one time had so
many women remarkable for personal
beauty, brains wealth and taste in dress as
sembled in Washington.
There was the fair di plomat, Mrs Slidell,
who set the fashions, and upset her sex at
fancy dress ball by appearing in Russian
court costume of such magnificence that it
spoiled the other toilets. There was the
beautiful Lady Napier, who wore wreath
of white pearl water lilies, with emerald
leaves in her hair, and as soon as it was
copied appeared in another of graceful
honeysuckle made of fiery rubies. Ken
lucky was represented in the person of the
famous Sally Ward Hunt, who wore gold
bangles round her slender ankles and
| danced into the hearts of men, and by Miss
Crittenden. the perfection of whose mana
ger was only surpassed by a couture so
faultless as to be the envy and despair of 9th
ers. A pale face, an air of melancholy and
Oriental eyes" distinguished Miss Cass,
who was given to gowns of black tulle
decorated with punches of gold leaves
| and a wreath of golden grapes worn on her
head.
There, too, coquetted the lovely Italian
wife of Gen. Sickles, dividing the honors
with ''la belle Woodbury." who never car
| ried less than six bouquets at a ball and
wore thirty-two solitaires round her white
neck. Emile Schaumberg, whom we know
| as Mrs. Hughes Hallett, wore red japonicas
| and learned how to dance the minuet from
Fanny Kemble Butler, while Lady Ousely
introduced the Balmoral skirt and ex-
changed witticisms with Mrs. Greenhow.
The diplomatic corps embraced brilliant
| women, most of them beauties, and entertain
ing with as liberal and elegant hospitality
! as the rich Mrs. Gwin.
Among this brilliant coterie Miss Lane
| held her own well. She was the only child
of President Buchanans sister, was educated
in the Georgetown Convent, where Nellie
| Grant, Mrs. Fred Grant, Gen. Sherman's
| daughters and the children OF many distin-
! guished men have spent their school days,
and afterward went abroad with her uncle,
where she acquired the accomplishm ents
| and ease of manner for which she was no.
ticeable When the Prince of Wales came
to this country as Lord Renfrew he was
entertained at the White House, and at
| the diplomatic dinners Miss Lane usually
sat between him and the Duke of New
| castle, father of the little Duke now here.
1t is doubtful if H. r. H. ever enjoyed
himself as well and as innocently as on that
| visit He played tenplns with his young
hostess, hirted mildly with the pretty girls
in Mrs. Smiths seminary, planted baby
horse chestnut at Mount Vernon, danced on
| the steamer deck with the buds of society.
and nearly ate himself ill trying American
| dishes. Miss Lane certainly showed skill in
keeping the royal guest amused. The Queen
was so much pleased with the pretty fuss
made over the wandering heir that she
wrote the longest letter ever received by
President of our country on any sub
iect from the royal hand, expressing her
appreciation and sending Miss Lane her
picture.
In 1866 the Presidents niece married
wealthy banker, Mr.. Henry Elliott John
ston, of Baltimore, and afterwards became
the mother of two handsome boys. Hus-
band and children have alike been taken
from her, and now, white haired widow,
she is re-visiting the scenes of her early tri-
umphs as the guest of Mrs. Horpsby. This
lady was a daughter of Judge Jeremiah
at her first weddings TO Mr.. Skunk, her
fathers private secretary, Miss Lane acted
bridagp1aid