Year: 1878

Fernando Wood, of New York, is now one
of the most prominent men in Congress,
being the chairman of the committee on
ways and moons, committee which has
more to with the prosperity or adversity of
the country for the next four or five years
than any other in Congress. He is tall,
military looking man, an angular gray mus
tache, giving distinctness to an otherwise in
different face; and correspondents, in de-
scribing him, generally liken him to s:field
marshal of France


He has been longer in Congress than al
most any other man of that body: was q
member of the House atthe time of the pas
sage of the bill giving aid and encouragement
to the first telegraph line laid in the United
States, and has lived a member of the
same parliamentary body to witness the
telegraph extended to the remotest quarters
of the globe. He owns very elegant home
here, in the heart of Belgravia, which is
presided over by his sister, Mrs. Baldwin, for
the wife, being great invalid, remains in
New York. He is noted as dinner-giver,
and all during the session he gives two or
more of these sumptuous feasts each week,
which Mrs. Baldwin alternates with exquisite
lunches. It is noted as marked feature of



i'll never bringing together any but the most
harmonious elements. He has large means,
and is spoken of as one among the most
generous of charitable men.


SENATOR BURNSIDE.


The handsome and we'll dressed widower
is conspicuous figure on our fashionable
drives. He has stylish T-cart drawn by
one superb horse, elegantly comparisoned, a
liveried footman in top-boots, high hat with
rosette, olive green livery, with silver but
always one of the fairest buds from our rose
garden of beautiful girls.


We have enjoyed seeing this winter Mrs.
Ames, the daughter of General Butler. Time
has but added to the beauty which made her
as


BLANCHE BUTLER


so famous. She has two lovely children
and is spoken of as devoted wife and
mother. The elegant home of Massachu-
setts' caustic member is probably one Of, if
fairs are administered by his sister-in-law,
Mrs. Butler, and niece, Miss Heard. The
drawingroom is covered by an Anbusson
carpet SO excellent in design that it resem-
bles painting. The curtains are of point
lace with yellow satin draperies. There is
magnificent statuary, while rare works of
art from all countries, and valuable paint
ings, fill in every available space. The ves-
tibule, or passage way between the parlor
and dining groom, is specially noticeable for
its fur rugs, one of a tiger being particularly
conspicuous.


If General Butler has his hat full of polit-
ical bricks which he hurls with an unerring
aim at the heads of his enemies, he also has his
hat filled with the charitable bricks that are
daily laid at the doors of the needy, and the
asperities of his life are softened by the acts
of sweet mercy he shows to those in aflic-
ton. I, possibly, of all persons, have cause
to remember and recognize only the rough
side of General Buffers character. for it was
!. my misfortune to have come under his dis
pleasure while he was commanding in Balti
more, but I've heard so much that is goo6
and generous and disinteres!ed and kind O
the man, that instinctively place my hant
on my heart and do him reverence.