e first
six months of 1850 prevented much social enjoyment. There were
the customary receptions at the White House, and "hops" at the
hotels, but few large parties were given. Tea-parties were numerous,
at which a succession of colored waiters carried trays heaped with
different varieties of home-made cakes and tarts, from which the
beaux supplied the belles, and at the same time ministered to their
own wants, balancing a well-loaded plate on one knee, while they
held a cup and saucer, replete with fragrant decoctions from the
Chinese plant "which cheers, but not inebriates."

The reigning belles were the queen-like widow Ashley, of Missouri,
who afterward married Senator Crittenden, and her beautiful daughter,
who became the wife of Mr. Cabell, of Florida. Mrs. Fremont and
her sisters made the home of their father, Colonel Benton, very
attractive; General Cass's daughter, who afterward married the
Dutch Minister, had returned from Paris with many rare works of
art, and the proscribed Free-soilers met with a hearty welcome at
the house of Dr. Bailey, editor of the _New Era_, where Miss Dodge
(Gail Hamilton), passed her first winter in Washington.

On the evening of the 4th of July, 1850, a large reception was
given by ex-Speaker Winthrop to his gentlemen friends, without
distinction of party or locality. At the supper-table Mr. Winthrop
had at his right hand Vice-President Fillmore, and at his left hand
Mr. Speaker Cobb. Webster and Foote, Benton and Horace Mann, the
members elect from California, with Clingman and Venable, who were
trying to keep them out, were seen in genial companionship. Most
of the Cabinet and the President's private secretary, Colonel Bliss,
were there, side by side with those who proposed to impeach them.
The only drawback to the general enjoyment of the occasion was the
understanding that it was the farewell entertainment of Mr. Winthrop,
who had given so many evidences of his unselfish patriotism and
eminent ability, and whose large experience in public affairs should
have entitled him to the continued confidence of the people of
Massachusetts. President Taylor was absent, and Colonel Bliss
apologized for his non-attendance, saying that he was somewhat
indisposed.

The old hero had that day sat in the sun at the Washington Monument
during a long spread-eagle address by Senator Foote, with a tedious
supplementary harangue by George Washington Parke Custis. While
thus exposed to the