The Olivia Letters: Being Some History of Washington City for Forty Years as Told by the Letters of a Newspaper CorrespondentBriggs, Emily Edson
History
The Olivia Letters: Being Some History of Washington City for Forty Years as Told by the Letters of a Newspaper Correspondent
Briggs, Emily Edson
United States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1933; Washington (D.C.) -- History
Prince Arthur is a medium sized youth, who has just reached the
door-sill of adolescence. A soft yellowish down occupies the place
where whiskers are intended to grow, and his thoroughly English face
has the peachy bloom which distinguishes the gentry of that famous
island. He bears a strong resemblance to the Prince of Wales, but
with indications of more force of character. His hands are as pink as
a sea shell, and anything else but aristocratic. At the reception he
was dressed in a suit of black cloth, high standing collar, handsome
cravat, and polished patent leathers. Three emerald studs adorned
his faultless shirt front, and a sprig of violets dangled from a
button-hole. He wore no gloves, but gave his bare, pink palms for an
instant to the keeping of American citizens. He was so kind, plain,
and straightforward, that everybody forgave him for being a prince.
After all had been introduced to the young lion, and many little
pleasant wisps of conversation had floated away, the company
proceeded to the dining-room, where ices, fruits, and wines regaled
the guests. Mrs. Thornton and Baron Gerolt, the Prussian minister,
led the way, followed by the Prince and Mrs. Fish, Minister Thornton
and the Baroness Gerolt, Secretary Fish and Mrs. Belknap, Secretary
Belknap and Mrs. Creswell, Chief Justice Chase and Madame Catacazy,
the wife of the Russian minister, and the most beautiful woman
belonging to the foreign legations; Mr. Robeson, the bachelor
Secretary, and Philadelphia’s handsome Madame Potestael, and a host
of other lights distinguished in the political and fashionable
world. The tables were elegantly decorated with flowers, while the
vintage at the English minister’s is celebrated above all others in
Washington. Conversation was varied by excellent music, contributed
by the voice of Madame Garcia, of the Argentine Republic, assisted by
Blacque Bey, the Turkish minister, who also took a prominent part in
the evening’s entertainment.
Among the guests were noticed General and Mrs. Tete, the new minister
from Hayti. These members of the diplomatic corps are of mixed blood,
the African largely predominant. Mrs. Tete was dressed in a claret
colored silk, high in the neck, long sleeves, and without ornaments.
She has unassuming manners, though exceedingly courteous and high
bred. She remarked to one of the company that she did not know how
she would be received in society in Washington, but so far she had
met with nothing but kindness. This evening in particular, she was
made to feel at home.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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