Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-08
FOX & SON.
EXECUTIVE EPICURES.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE SWELL
DINNERS At WASHINGTON.

Extravagan e and Luxury Introduced by
President Buehanan-The Colonel Is Ex-
Ministers Who splurged.
It was at the time of Mr., Buchanan's
administration that the most marked
change in dinner giving commenced. A
new mode OF serving dinners came in,
more expensive, of course, for it necessi-
tated additional servants and other auxil-
iaries. Gautier had opened a large con-
dictionary and restaurant, and had, with /,
/ Wormley, q monopoly of serving swell
dinners. Some of the more old fashioned
in social life regarded his mode an in
novation and refused to acknowledge its
superiority.
The most marked difference consisted
in reforming the entrees and the wines,
etc, served with each He it was who,
in place Of the Sauterne or wine of that
character, served with the raw oysters,
with which all dinners commenced, fur
nished a frozen punch called Arabian
punch 1t was white and frozen to the
consistency of cream. An amusing incl
dent of this innovation occurred at a din
ner given by Marshal Hoover. Among
the guests was Col Sam Stambaugh, OF
Pennsylvania, very noted political
leader in that day and friend OF Mir.
Buchanan.
SAD BLOW AT PUNCH.
The colonel was late, and he arrived
after tho guests had finished oysters and
punch, and were on the soup. He made
his apology and took his seat. His oys-
tiers and punch awaited him. and con-
versing with his neighbor, he commenced
spreading the punch over his oysters.
1t was observed, of course, and the
gentleman next him said:-"Colonel, ex-
cuse me, but that is punch"
"The - it isl said the colonel; 81
thought it was horse Iddish."
The table was in a roar, and the colo
mel, recognized authority in such mat
ters, denounced this new style and
pleaded in favor of the old fashion, and
gave dinner few evenings after, which
was served IN the old style. 1t made no
impression on the new style, however,
which continued to be the rage, inCreas-
ing in variety and expense.
The colonefs experience of the new
order that evening did not end with the
punch. With the dessert was served
what was then entirely new-biscuit
glace in different colors and in paper
cases. He looked at the one placed be-
fore him and said to his neighbor, Ill tones
of disgust audible to the whole table:
Shaving soap, by
Fashion, more powerful than any op-
position. was on the side of Gautier q
Wormley, and the Old style gradually
was wiped out. The dinners at the ex-
ecutive mansion were more lavish under
MIR. Buchanan's administration. There
was very perceptible change in mode
and e1pensiveness, and of course it pre-
vailed in the private dinners.
Slideu and Ben amin gave expensive
dinners, and one of your representatives
at that time, Gen. Sickles, occupied a
fine house on Lafayette square and gave
most elaborate dinners and suppers. He
lived most extensively, entertained lib
orally. and from one of these dinners of
exceptional elegance, given on the Thurs
day before the fatal rencontre with Bar
ton Key, which occurred on Sunday, he
was called to learn, as was testified to at
the trial, the particulars of the affair
which led to the killing Of Key.
Senator William NJ. Gwin represented
California, and occupied the large man
sion on | street. near Nineteenth. where
his dinners and entertainments were no
table Mrs. OWNS fancy ball furnished
as much talk and exhausted as much
preparation, in the costumes worn, as
the great ball of the Vanderbilts year
or two ago. 1t was very fine affair.
GORGEOUS FOREIGN FETEs.
There was good deal of the swell
attributes in the entertainments of that
period which might be attributed to the
example set at the White House. There
were several distinguished foreign Wis
itors during the administration, and
they were entertained with lavish and
elegant hospitality, and the example of
the president was followed.
The English minister at about that
time, Lord Napier, entertained fire.
quently and with great elegance. He
was popular beyond any Of his prede-
ceSsors, was very general in his invita-
tons, and mixed good deal with the
people of Washington, attending stag"
parties. then prevalent in the club, con-
gressional and official life OF Washing
ton. Before his return to England ball
was given to him and Lady Napier by
senators and members of congress. Off.
Gals and citizens, and very handsome
affair it was.
The foreign legations have always ex-
ercised very potent influence in Wash
ington society. Naturally go, as they
enjoyed Z position that entitled them to
every social attention. The influence Of
wealth had, up to the close of Mr. Folks
administration. made but little impress
sion. The old families who, with the
army and navy and officials, made up
the social life Of Washington, were as
select as McAllister's 400.
There was but little wealth among
them; competence and comfort were
about the standard reached at that time.
4 few years changed it all. The inroad
of wealth drove out the old substantial
style and the new regime brought new
modes and Larger expenditures.
Each season newer styles; each season
more expense and. Of course, more ele-
gance The cost of dinners and parties
swelled into thousands, where hundreds
were formerly expended. This increase
Of entertainment and the GanarA invita-