The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-01-13
NATIONAL CHARACTERS.
Nen and Women of Prominence
in Washington.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
Leaders in Cabinet, Diplomatic,
Senatorial and Congressional
Circles. Mrs. Cleveland.
Mrs. Carlisle, Mrs. Gov.
Sprague. Others.
Especial Cor. OF The virsinian.1

al.-One of the chief things that
strikes stranger who visits the
Nations capital is the manners and
customs displayed by people promi-
oent III official society. There is no
city In the world where sociai revo-
tutlons are SO frequent as in the
capital of the United States. The
Congressman, or Senator to-day
may be cabinet officer or Pres-
dent to morrow. Changes follow
last on each Others heels, and be.
hlnd every change is the official
service" of the then predominant
individual. There are good many
women in Washington who, from
superior social tact and diplomatic
management, always happen to be
''in" with the Gins, " and seldom, if
ever, ''out" with the "outs." In
the official social life here, there is
little, if any, distinction between
social and political, and there is, rs
rule, us much politics Ill the after
noon teas as there is on the floor of
either House Or Senate, although in
the former case it is moIe charm
,nGly yelled and drnped.
IN cabinet, diplomatic. Senatorial
ana Congressional circles, the social
leaders are as clearly defined ms are
the more purely political leaders IN
The halls oil Government legislation.
Just now there are few ladies' who.
through the combined forces of
their individual characters, and the
positions of their husbands. occupy
prominent places III the social world.
Among them Is Mrs. John G. Car
hs!e, whose husband has been de
ccribed 10y Bancroft, the fam, rs his
toriau, rs the most remr .ksJle man
OF his day.
Thoso who remembe, the timo
Hhen Chief Justice Chase presided
over the Supreme Court and lived
for a time at the corner of Sixth
ana L streets, northwest, will readily
recall his tall. slender ami handsome
and wonderfully clever daughter,
Aatherlne, who was tue idol of her
fathers heart and the centre of nj
traction III large aud brilliant cir
Gle OF society. She took precedence
over the ladies double aud treble
der senior III the Senate, Cabinet
and Embassies, and her wonderful
tact served her on all occasions
Her subsequent career, inc!udipn
her marriage to Governor Sprague,
OF Rhodo Island, her divorce aud
her return to Washington, the scene
OF her social trlumpbs, with sn in
serestlnG group of daughters, are
etill fresh III the memories OF C. large
number Of citizens.
Mrs. Cleveland made the stan
-
20 the drawing room of the Exec
ntive Mansion, depending wholly on
her own Judgment for success, A
;lttle moro than gi-l, little
Tess Than woman in years, and
scarcely more than child in eX
Periehce, she took her place at her
husband side aud INSTANTLY as.
serted her rights 10 distinction
der marriage III the White House
provoked criticism the length md
breadth of the land, aud her critic.
prepared themselves for regular
school girl department ana war;
disappointed. She did what few
women IN the White House have ever
done, uhe captlvaied nnd clIarme1
hcr own sex. Ii hua been said tbat
u were better for the Democrats
party II her husband possessed some
OF her superior tact and policy. In
this respect MIR. Cleveland differs
very materially from his former
opponent. the late James G., Blaine
whose personality won lin host OF
friends among Democrats and Re
publicans alike.
Mrs. Hnrrlet Lane Johnston. who
IS spending tho winter ut her nav
nome, corner of f and Eighteenth
streets, once grhced the White
honse with unprecedented charm
and hnesse. She was educated mt the
visitation Convent, Georgetown
while her uncle, james Buchanan
was Secretary Of State under the
@olk administration, and Miss Lime
spent every Saturday and SUNDAY
with him. at his house sho met nj,
that was best. brightest and most
distinguished in the nation, and nc.
CURED The ease and grace of manner
which attefward attracted the ad.
mlintlOh OF tue Court OF Euoland
ans was between 1o54 rnu iS,6
when Mr.. Buchanan was Aner,con
Minister there. She became a ornat
1ayorite with Queen Victoria ani
when the Prince Of Wnles yisi,a,i
tne .neo unto States in the autumn of
tooV ne was invited by President
6mchanan to make his home in tho
", w hite House during his stay in
ashlngton, and Miss Lane con
Srlbuted greatly to make this visit
agreeable to tho Prince. This was