The First Forty Years of Washington Society: Portrayed by the Family Letters of Mrs. Samuel Harrison Smith (Margaret Bayard) from the Collection of Her Grandson, J. Henley Smith

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Scribner, 1906 - Washington (D.C.) - 424 pages
 

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Page 66 - When I look to the ineffable pleasures of my family society, I become more and more disgusted with the jealousies, the hatred, the rancourous and malignant passions of this scene, and lament my having ever again been drawn into public view. Tranquility is now my object; I have seen enough of political honors, to know
Page 82 - sentatives is the lounging place of both sexes, where acquaintance is as easily made as at public amusements. And the drawing-room,—that centre of attraction,—affords opportunity of seeing all these whom fashion, fame, beauty, wealth or talents, have render'd celebrated. It has this winter been generally very much crowded, seldom has the company been less than 2 or
Page 269 - of the Treasury; John H. Eaton of Tennessee, Secretary of War; John Branch of North Carolina, Secretary of the Navy; John H. Berrien of Georgia, Attorney General.
Page 264 - rumour of yesterday was, that he was to have no place at home, but be sent abroad—so it was added (tho' evidently only for the joke of it) that he was to be minister to Hayti that being the most proper Court for her to reside in—
Page 56 - the slaves and workmen. They are all much better than I have seen on any other plantation, but to an eye unaccustomed to such sights, they appear poor and their cabins form a most unpleasant contrast with the palace that rises so near them. Mr. J. has carpenters.
Page 66 - set a value, yet when as many would deprecate them as a public calamity, one may well entertain a modest doubt of their real importance and feel the impulse of duty to be very weak,
Page 274 - and followed the living stream that was pouring along to the Capitol. The terraces, the Balconies, the Porticos, seemed as we approached already filled. We rode round the whole square, taking a view of the animated scene. Then leaving the carriage outside the palisades, we entered the
Page 69 - to act up to the best of his abilities." August 4th, Montpelier, Wendnesd even. The sadness which all day hung on my spirits was instantly dispelled by the cheering smile of Mrs. Madison and the friendly greeting of our good President. It was near five oclock when we arrived, we were met at the door by Mr.
Page 280 - Never before did the city seem to me so gloomy—so many changes in society—so many families broken up, and those of the first distinction and who gave a tone to society. Those elegantly furnished houses, stripped of their splendid
Page 7 - From the note book. gency what was to be done? The constitution decided. The choice of President was to be made by Congress. There was not a shadow of doubt or uncertainty as to the object of the people's choice. It had been proclaimed too widely and too loudly for any individual to remain ignorant

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