Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-03

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and thus comply with their desire to hear
something on the subjects they suggest.
have also protest from one whose will is law
to me against my detailing with such particu-
larity descriptions Of the dinners in the past
days, when they were the delightful features
of enjoyment at Washington. The dinner
table was the social forum, where converse
tional accomplishments we're a reader pass
port to those entertainments than any advan-
titious circumstance of wealth. 1t was at the
festive board official dignity was laid aside for
the flow of wit and repartee. There the sena-
torial leaders met, not to hurl shafts of politi-
cal venom and sarcasm at each other, but to
exchange flashes of wit, humor and all pleas
antry. The giants of those days-Clay, Web
| ster, Calhoun, Benton, Corwin Mangum, Crit
| tenden. Reverdy johnson and others-discard-
ing their togas, rivaled each other in those
| accomplishments which made dinner in those
| days an intellectual as we'll as q gastronOmic
feast. The stately danes. whose countenance
was needed to establish those who enjoyed the
society OF Washington, then redolent Of SO
many OF the elements which lend enchantment
to all social enjoyments on this mundane sphere,
held full sway by right of birth or distinguished
position. They were fitting mates for those
kings OF men whose reign in the counsels of
the nation was as autocratic as the social reign
| of their consorts.
SOCIETY IN THE oLDEN DAYS.
| The society Of Washington Of which speak
was composed of the old residents who had
come here with the government, and the
descendants of those who had participated in
its formation, the army and navy officers and
their families Senators and members of Con-
gress, who in that day were usually accom-
panied by their families, and in many instances
took up their residence here during their term
OF service. These, with the foreign element
furnished by the legations, made up social
| circle of the most refined character, and o
genial and generous hospitality reigned to
which mere wealth had no access The dinners
| were models OF quiet elegance, lavish in all
that could tempt those who found SO much of
the enjoyment in life in this mode Of entertain
ment. 1t is true the decorations which form
| 80 conspicuous and costly item in the
present day were wanting The center orna-
ment of flowers atoned for the absence of beds
of roses and exotics which today are en- reggie,
but the accessories in plate and glass, though
not 80 elaborate, were expensive enough for
| the competency which existed here, instead
| of the lavish display Of the wealthy Of today,
and was in that good taste which was the dis,
| tinguishing trait Of Washington society fifty
years ago. The SUGGESTIONS in official position,
as they came, brought additions and diversified
society by the introduction Of an element
| which soon assimilated and in time became
absorbed. 1 have heard 80 frequently from
strangers the remark that political enmity
| seemed to have no existence here outside of the
| Capitol, and it was true.
nEvERDY JOHNSON AS HOST.
| Recurring to the dinner table of that period,
there were some remarkable dinner givers and
diners. The latter were equally agreeable as
host or guest, and one of the most accomplished
in that double capacity was the late Reverdy
Johnson. At his own table. which was princely,
| he was assisted by Mrs Johnson whose uueeniy
/ Vaa hx-b ;pIl Nd
NAL disposition. While residing in the house he
| built next the Arlington. and now swallowed up
by the extension of that hotel, his dinners,
given about once a week, were almost historic
from the fact that after the withdrawal of the
ladies the discussion Of the events pregnant
| OF reconstruction and its incidents was carried
| on outside Of party lines and here have met
the extremes Of the two parties whose struggle
in the Senate and House was the occa-
sion Of the most bitter personalities
These accomplishments served Mr.. John
son while representing the United States
at the court OF st. James, where he left behind
him the most agreeable memory Of his hospi-
tally and those graces of conversational PROV
ess which he possessed in a remarkable degree.
Mr.. johnson and Mr.. Convin and Mr.. Crit
tenden were Of that period when almost
another generation had taken possession of the
social field. As late as 1923 these gentlemen
riyaled. if they did not excel, their younger
| colleagues around the festive board. The din
ners given by Mr.. Crittenden at the National
Hotel were OF the same political cast as those of
Mr.. johnson. As the author of the resolutions
| which it was hoped would tend to avert the
threatened storm over a good dinner and
vor of age these resolutions were discussed
with genial tone which it was impossible to
assume on the floor Of Congress.
| just before the storm of war burst over us
and robbed OF us Of so many who were so dear
the winters at Washington were exceptionally
brilliant. There was here galaxy of as brill
| liant society bellies as had ever shOne upon u.s.
Though the rumors of war were rife they did
not disturb the social pleasures Of that day,
| and, indeed, both political friends and foes
seemed to welcome the respite from the
weighty cares Of the trouble felt to be SO near
1t was at this period some Of the most enter
tanning and brilliant dinners and parties were
given 1t was needed recreation, and
and they followed fast upon the heels of
each. Night after nishtfrom one end of WASH
lnSton to the other the sounds of festivity we're
heard. How soon the dread reality, so feared,
and yet SO hoped against came, and some
other pen than mine must record the sadness
which followed. for l record, like the sun dial,
only the shining sunny hours.
| SOME BRILLIANT DINNERS.
| The dinners given by Benz. Ogle Tayloe were
of that style which favored of the early forties,
and there were gathered those veterans
who yet remained Of the grand old whig party.
with the conservative element, tempered by
age of the jackson era. Delightful gather
ing surrounded the table Of the late Francis
p. Blair. No more generous host ever existed
than Mr.. Blair, and with the charming assistance
OF Mrs. Blair and his daughter, political differ
ences, however radical were absorbed with geni-
atty. The dinner table of the period when
| Mr.. Buchanan was the occupant of the White
House. began to assume more elaborate form,
and some OF them as, for instance, those at
Senators Slidell and Benjamin and Gwin, were
| bordering on the style Of today. The dinners
Of Mr.. Benjamin, who occupied the Decatur
| house, where now Gen. Bcale resides, were
particularly elaborate. Howell Cobb, while
| Speaker, occupied the same house. and his din
| ners and entertainments were conspicuous
! features Of life at Washington. As Secretary
| OF the Treasury the same distinguishing feature
marked his hospitality. Nearly all the Repre-
sentatives from the south at that time were
men of wealth, which, though not displayed
ostentatiously, was literally dispensed.
The winter before the war the National Hotel
had for its guests some very distingue and bril- =
liant ladies. Of whom Mrs. John ]. Crittenden
| was the leader-we all remember her. mean
| those who were out of their teens at that dav
| There was also at the same hotel O lady who
| subsequently became the wife Of the distin.
| guished savant who represented the italian gov
| eminent ut Washington. This was winter or
| two before she entered into the bonds of matri-
mony. and when, as Mrs. b. she basked, as Owen
| Meredith says:
in that soft second summer, moro ripe than the
When come when the bud to the blossom has burst"
| And played sad havoc with the gentlemen