The morning call., 1893-03-25
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Noted Beauties of Washington-C Con-
ditiOn of the White House,

Kate Fields Washington.
The most elegant home in Washington in
those days was that of Mr.. COrcoran, the
banker. When we ieicitated MIN on being
the possessOr of Powers Greek Slave" he
SAID very easan!ly: "And that is the only
slave l own, for you know | am an Irish
man.. The yellow guestroOm Of his Il, use
was greatly admired. He had rendered
some service to MesSrs. Barring & Co. Of
London which could not well be repaid in
money, and they sent him gorgeous cover
ing for his bed. l. was Of su erb yellow
satin, with Chinese embroidery of fnwers
and birds in fine, shG~y colOrs. Three sides
were heavy with a many-calored fringe and
the lining was OF rich white silk. He told
us he had bedstead made to accommodate
this gilt. 1t was Of rosewood, with head
board OF lattePwork, through which yellow
satin was rricked. The pillows were COW
cred with blue silk, and the cases were of
nnest linen canbrlc, trimmed with costly
lace.
At reception at Mr.. CorcOran's, Nine.
BodiscO was the belle of the evening She
wore dress of corD-cOl0red brocade with
low neck and bare arms; the black buglps
OF her bertha were so fine that they ap-
peaTed like lace. A wreath of wild roses
surm0unted her brow and fell over her
neck. The old Count was very proud of
her She never accepted an Invitation to
waltz without his consent. While she was
dancing he turned to a friend and said, "Mv
God is not Nine. BOdiscO very beautifuI?"
Among the noted beauties were Mrs.
KlgEs, with her corOnet and auburn hair;
Miss Cults, who married Stephen A.
Douglas; and tile handsome widow, Mrs
Gen. Ashley, betrothed TO Senator Critten-
den OF Kentucky. A young daughter OF
Mrs. Ashley, when dressed for a ball, said:
y, mother! don't you wish YOU were as
young | amp" TO which the mother
responded; My DEAR don't you wish you
were as handsome as ! ?" The fashions
in those days were not elegant. Middle
aged ladies' wore caps of blond, with flowers
or marabOut plumes. high waists with vests,
and flowing nndersleeves Of rich EN- broidery
and lace. The dresses we're of meire
antique or bTocade, but seldom OF velvet.
Mrs. Fillmore wore a red velvet, though she
was blonde; her daughter. Abigail looked
best in blue silk and white lacps, with a
wreath of water-lilieS.
The FHlmOres found the White House in
miserable condition, dirty and bare, with
no corner that seemed like a home. The
great room over the blue room was covered
with straw carpet made filthy by tobacco
chewers. Under this was found a good
Brussels carpet OF the old pattern, basket
OF roses upset. Mrs. Fillmore had this
cleaned. She sent TO Buffalo for her piano
and AblEaiPs harp. shut off much Of the
space with screens, and with a wood fire
aud comfortable surroundings made the
place very pleasant.
The old black cnok, who had served so
many years at the White House, was greatly
upset when range of smal-hOtel sz. was
Drought to hlS quarters. He had managed
TO prepare a hne State dinner for thirty-six
people every Thursday in huge fireplace
with cranes, hooks, pots, pans, kettles and
sklilets, but be could not manage the
draughts of the range, and it ended in
journey OF the PresidenttO the Patent Office
to Inspect the model ana restore peace TO
the kitchen.