New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-17
MEMORIES OF WASHINGTON.
AMUSING CHILDREN AND ENIERTAININ0
STATESMEN.
MRS. WESTINGHOUSE DOMESTIC EcoNoMy-A
PRESIDENTIAL DRAwING-RooM IN 1895.


PRESIDENTIAL DEAwING-RooM IN 1876.
"a more than ordinarily intimate and ifs-ike view
OF the fst President Of the Republic and his accomplished
wife Is presented In letter written
In 1884 by lady who IN her youth had known and as
ISOLATED much with them. Following is the principal
portion Of the letter, which, By the permission OF Mrs
II. =. Bowers. Of Cooperstown, ~ r. and through the
courtesy OF the Hon. L. r. Morton, the vieePrcsident
elect is now made public for the FIRST time. It was
written by Mrs. John NJ. Bowers to Mrs Edward Clarke
both deceased 1t forms interesting and valuable
contribution the food of Washington literature and
remniseence called forth By the approaching anniversary
Of his nrst inaugurationj
Ny earliest recollection OF General Washington
was In the spring of 1881. when q guest q my
mother. at Hackettstown, N. J. Although but
three years of age at that time, distinctly re-
member the grand appearance of that great and
good man. The brilliancy Of his epaulettes, and
his peculiarly cooked hat and plume, made an Inn
preston on my infant mind never to be effaced.
August and dignifed as he was however, he could
c0ndescend to amuse children. During an interval
of few minutes absence Of my mother from tho
parlor, the General placed me on his knee and
trotting me merrily thereon sang the following
ludicrous lines -
@There was an old, old man, and an old, old womaas
They lived In vinegar bottle together,
SHELTERED ake from wind and nom weather,
They lived in a vinegar bottle together"
repeating the last line several times for chorus.
When my mother returned to the parlor, tho
General alluded to what had occurred in her
Absence saying: The little jade wished to know
how the old people escaped from the bottle. and
before had time to reply to her question she
had anticipated me by saying, I guess, General
they knocked off the neck"
Were any proof wanting TO illustrate the rev.
erence inspired by the dignity and superiority Of
xafo oh ofxo
anecdote of o Mrs Graffe-an ignorant woman,
foreigner by birth, an inveterate Tory, who re-
sided near my mother. She had been accustomed
since the commencement of the war to speak Of
George Washington as George the Rebel until
at length curiosity predominating over prejudice,
induced her TO catch glimpse of him as he passed
through our hail. when she burst into tears, and
exclaimed. ipyoluntarily: Elealehi Elealehi"
meaning Godfke; and from thst instant became
o confirmed Wing.
When my mother resided at the Union, in Hun.
terdon County New-Jersey, Mrs. Washington was
her guest two nights and day, while on her way
from New-Windsor 20 Philadelphia. She came In
her chariot attended by Colonel Washington IA
nephew of the General and two servants-colored,
a coachman and waiting-maid. My mother was
greatly pleased with the affability and simplicity
Of the manners of Mrs. Washington, from whom she
learned much OF tie economy and good management
of the Virginia housewives. To show her own
idea of economy, Mrs. Washington remarked that
in view of the high price Of goods at that time,
she had ravelled some old and almost worn out
crimson satin damask chair covers, which mad
descended TO her, had caused the same to be
earded and spun, and by the addition OF cotton
yarn, woven, with narrow stripe OF SILK and'a
wide one of cotton alternately, out Of this fabric
she had two morning dresses for herself. one Of
which she exhibited to nanima, who thought II
quite pretty.
In the year 1895, when myself on q visit to
Philadelphia, was presented to Mrs. Washing
ton at her drawing-room, by Mrs. Jasper Moy-
Ian Ia sister-in-law Of General Moylan). par
ticular friend of my mother, as also Of Mrs. Wash,
ington. Mrs. MoyIan called for me In her car
riage at about o'clock p. n. Mrs Washington
then resided In the house owned by Robert Morris,
On entering the room we were led TO Mrs. Wash
ington by Mr. Hamilton grandson Of Governor
Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, who was master Of
ceremonies that evening. / distinctly remember
seeing the key Of the Bastilc hanging over the
mantle as passed TO the far extremity OF the
apartment where Mrs. Washington sat and re-
ceived us very graciously She was still very
attractive although quite advanced in years.
There was something very sweet and feminine in
the ceuntenance The dress was Of black satin.
with white Grape inside, handkerchief laid In
folds, cap OF the same material with doublequlled
borders, and tied under the chin with a white
satin bow. On the right Of Mrs. Washington
sat Mrs. Robert Morris, majestic-looking woman,
dressed in rich white satin, with white Grape
handkerchief and turban. Next to Mrs Morris was
Mrs. Judge Peters, distinguished for her beauty and
elegance Of manner, and arrayed in pearlcolored
al ha,, htaP 1a.A Irarc
My friend Mrs. Moylan was seated by Mrs. Peters,
and was attired in white satin, with white Grape
handkerchief and turban. Most of the young
ladies, both married and single, stood, or prom
enaded the room. Nearly oil wore Grape or book
muslin dressed over silk some Of them being en-
broidered with silver and others with
gold thread, the waist being short and
the train long and graceful. Grape cushions
for the head were much worn by
married ladies. The young ladies wore their hair
frizzed and thrown into curls, with black velvet
bandeaux richly studded with steel and paste,
with graduated plumes from three to five white
ostrich), making o handsome head-dress when
| tastefully managed The silver flowers covering
| the stems of the feathers added much 10 their
brilliancy. Powder was much used by both ladies'
and gentlemen. I recollect the dress Of one
young lady on this occasion. IL consisted OF
very fine null muslin over white mantua silk, a
moderate train trimmed with broad white satin
ribbon, ornamented with black silk velvet waters
richly spanged. Below this was quilting OF
| deep Brussels lace, and quilting Of the same
about the neck and sleeves, white satin sasis
with long ends, spangled, long-armed white KID
gloves, white silk stockings and white satin shoes,
brown powdered hair, with black bandeaux and
white plumes, prettily arranged. These, together
with o miniature. handsomely set and suspended
by gold chain from the neck and o large gold
watch, with a chatelaine on the side. from which
depended various rings and charms. completes
| the toilette.
Among the distinguished guests observed Cow
ernor Ross and wife, the latter magnincentiy
attred, also james A. Bayard and wire, OF Della