The evening times., 1896-06-23
EARLY CELEBRATIONS.
Way the Declaration Of Independ-
ence Was Observed Years Ago.

From 1915 on the Fourth of July hasbeen
essentiaIlya a mans days, the sweet refresh
meDt of home a nd the charms of the gentier
sex serving but as oases between the fan
fare of the public parade and the scenes OF
perfervid patriotism and Tobustious ora
tory. Still. in the early days, although the
WashingtOus and Adamses. Jeffe rsons and
Madisous. might long for their Mount Yer
mons. Quincys, MonticellUs nd Montpeliers.
more often than not Congress was in ses-
sion until after the .Gioriuus FOURTH
and ievees and fetes were perforce the or
der of the day.
We find almost tile first act OF JerfersDn's
administration To be the abo,iShing II fleveeS
and courtly dra wing rooms, except on New
Years Day and tue Fourth of July; and for
these days he made a code of etiquette
differing essentially from that OF the pre-
ceting administration.
The ST yle maintained by Washington WIS
rich and elegant, and the levees and rc-
ceptions were species uf strached as
seInbly, surrounded by polar atmosphere,
which ought 10 have been rather refresh
ing than otherwise OH the Fourth OF July.
On the national fete day the Commence
ment of the leyee was announced by the
firing salute from pair Of twelve
Founders, stationed not far distant from
the Presidential MaDsion, and the eX-
eommander-iD-chief paid his former COM
panions in-arms the compliment to wear
the old Continental uniform. Guests as
scnbled before 3 o'clock iii the large par
ior prepared for their stately ceremonial,
after which the President was announced
and talked kindly but reservediy TO all.
At these fetes were to be seen all the
beauty talent and social distinction which
the capital whether at New York or Phil
adelphia afforded. Witty Abigail Adams,
delicate featured Mrs. jay, Jeiferson's
daughter, a lustrous beauty, their hair
dressed high on their heads, md rustling
i'll gowns of taffeta and satin, honored
these occasions- A letter to Mrs Madi-
sons sister. written in the early summer Of
1896, while Congress was IN session at
Philadelphia. Will help TO give us an idea
of how these fair DANES OF just 100 years
ago this Fourth OF July, were gowned:
- Philadelphia never was known
To be so lively at this season as at present,
1 went yesterday to see doll which
has come from England dressed to show
US the fashions. and / saw besides grea;
quantity OF millinery. Very long trains are
worn and they are fcstooned up with loops
of bobbin. and small, covered buttons the
same as the dress; You are not confined &c
any number of festooDs, but put them Vn &C.
cording to your fancy, and you cannot con-
ceive what a beautiful effect IL has. Ii II
quite out OF fashion to friZZ or curl the hair
as it is worn perfectly straight. Earrings
too. are fashionable. The waists are worn
two inches louger than they used to he. and
there is no such thing as long sleeves. They
are worn half way above the elbow, ethel
dra wn or plated in various ways. according
to fancy; they do not wear ruffleS at all
and as for elbows ours would be Il IlabdSte'
compared TO some of tie ladies' who folloss
the fashion. Black or Colored ribbon is
pinned round the bare arm bet wecn tie el
bo " and the sleeves. Everybody thinks The
millinery last received the most tasty sect
for long time
The forms and ceremonials which hat
rend cred Mrs. WasiIington's and Mrs
Adams drawing rooms rather dull ant
stiff We're laid aside in Jefferson's time
and no stiffness OF any kind was permit
ted. Jefferson lived in one curner of 'h'
unfinished White House. then known as tht
| palace. His two beautiful daughters, being
married and living in Virginia. were bu
| rarely at the White House. Early in mi
| administration lie had appointed Madiso
| Secretary of State. and so 1t came tia
| the Fascinating Dolly. aided by her sister
| usually presided at the White House. Jef
| ferson had no liking for remaining il
| Washington during midsummer. and one
said: .'Grumble who will, will never pas
| those months un the tide water. -" Stin VI
|
| son that the Fourth Of July found him at HI
| post:
Still. my dear Anna. must your siste
| write to you from her bed. My knee vii
| keep me in Washington longer. fear, thai
| will be conducive to our health or interest
| have nothing ne W tn tell you. for the to "
| is dull and vacant. The President goes il
! week. and we were all TO go about tin
| same time. but for the reason given. Tn
/ A, nf I,tlv 7 n p resident /,
| sitting quite Still, and amusing myself wit
| the mob
| The mob'' in those days was Yer.
| much what il Is today We read as earl.
as 1888 'of the grandest spectacle Amer
| cans had ever seen. Five thousand in
habitants marched in civic procession, tn
line extending a mile and half Th
chief Justice rode in a car shaped like u
| cage and dra wn by six horses, with tw
associates bearing a copy of the Const
tuition affixed to a liberty staff. Tel
white horses attached to another car an
ten vessels in the river represented tn
| ten States" They hadn't much for musi
but the fife and drum. But l175 ha
| given them Yankee Doodle the Amer
can Yankee Doodle" l mean. for III
tune existed back as far as Charles L
time. and during Cromwelrs protectorat
We have both the tune and the nam
Yankee Doodle" Fireworks they hae
too, though without the beautiful an
varied hues that now characterize then
| tinted fireworks being only about fit
or sixty years old.
When Mrs Madison became the real mi
tress of the White House. true Southei
hospitality os n hearty, easy kind reigne
Supreme. She returned all calls made b
her own sex, and originated the dove pa
ties composed of the wives of Canine
Officers and foreign ministers when the
lords were away. Her table was her prid
and her multiplicity of dishes and the
size were Sometimes the subject of ridicui
During this period we find her again wri
ing:
'.where will you celebrate the 4th
July, my sister? We are to have graf
doings here Mr.. Van Ness is to deliver i
Grafton. Mr. l.. says. in the weeds. and II
ladies are to be permitted 10 partake of Il
mirth.''
Mrs Madison spent the last twelve yea
other life in Washington, where she minglt
in the society of the young and happy.
the first of January and the Fourth
July, especially, her house was throw
open, and the throng of visitors WIS qul
equal to that which assembled at the Viii
House.
|