The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-04-22

the principle of not visiting first any strangers
who arrive, and this is what the ladies have
taken in dudgeon.
INV wife Informed Mrs. Monroe that she
should adhere to her principle, but on any
question of etiquet she did not exact OF any
lady that she should visit her."
THE CABINET TAKES THE MATTER UP.
The Doth of December Cabinet meeting
was held to discuss the important question OF
etiquet in visiting. After two hours dis
cussion of the subject, they came to no other
conclusion than that each one should follow
his own course.
Mr.. Adams proposed q rule to separate en-
tirely the official character from the practice
of personal visiting, to pay no visits but ior
the sake of friendship, or acquaintance, ana
then without inquiring which was first, or
which last, and that their wives should
practice the same.
The matter was not settled in the days OF
Adams and Monroe. Mr. Adams gave his
undivided attention to the duties pertaining
to his office, leaving to Mrs. Adams the ardu-
Gus task of receiving and entertaining the
hosts of visitors who crowded the Capital
diplomats. public men, those who came on
business or pleasure were always made vel
come, and probably there was not a home IN
Washington where society found such an
agreeable resort as at Mrs. Adams's.
MRS. ADAMs'S GREAT BALL.
The ball given by her Jan. 8, 1924, IN
honor of Andrew Jackson and the anniver-
slry of his victory at New Orleans, was one
of the most brilliant affairs ever given at that
time in Washington. 1t is one OF the events
that will live in history; it was heralded IN
newspapers and commemoratcd IN song.
Old Washingtonians do not forget the
rhyme in which John Ogg celebrated this
event in the Washington Republican, Jan. 8,
1924, beginning thus:
"wend you with the world tonight?
Brown and fair and wise ana witty,
Eyes that float in seas OF light,
Laughing ouths and dimples prcLty'
Bellies and matr ms, maids and madams-
All are gone TO Mrs. Adams.
Among the guests were Daniel Webster,
Henry Clay, and john C. Calhoun, and II the
picture extant of this grand celebration is
correct, they did it honor by appearing in
full dress costumes-blue coats, gilt buttons,
white or buff waistcoats, white necktics, high
clokers silk stockings, and pumps.
This event was happy one for Jackson.
It soon alterward followed that John G. Cal
houn's name was withdrawn from the Presl-
dental ticket and Andrew Jackson's placed
instead. John Quincy Adams, his host, was
running in opposition to him.
The house in which Mr.. Adams lived and
where this famous ball was given was on
street, opposite the Ebbitt House. Until
within wear it has remained there UNI
changed Upon its site has been erected a
magnificent structure, cliristened the Adj
ans Buildings" fitting monument to this
great name.
Charles Francis Adams writes OF his mother
that during the eight years i'll whoa Mrs.
Adams presided in the house of Secretary OF
State no exclusions were made in her invita-
tons merely on account of any real or imag-
mary political hostility; nor, though keenly
alive to the reputation of her Husband, was
any disposition manifested to do more than
amuse or enlivcn society.
In this the success wa; permitted to be
complete, as all will remember who were
then in the habit of frequenting her dwelling
But. in proportion rs the great contest for the
Presidency in which Mr.. Adams was involved
approached, the violence of partisan warfare
began to manifest its usual bad effects. Mrs.
Adams decided to adopt habits of greater Sc
cluSiOn.
Most human affairs have
THEIR GOOD AND THEIR FAD SIDES,
and politics is not al exception The election
OF the heads of Government determines the