ionable sentiment and practice
a little originality on my own account. I accordingly decided to wear a
handsome and elaborate dress of a fashion of at least a generation
before--a light, blue silk with its many flounces embroidered in straw
in imitation of sheaves of wheat. In former years I had worn with this
gown black velvet gloves which were laced at the side--a Parisian fancy
of the day, a pattern of which had been sent me by Mrs. Schuyler
Hamilton. These also I concluded to wear with the antiquated dress; and
thus arrayed I attended the party and had a thoroughly good time,
supposing, as a matter of course, that the incident was closed. The _New
York Graphic_, however, seemed to think otherwise and dragged me into
its columns in an article which was subsequently copied into other
papers. Although at first I felt somewhat chagrined, upon further
consideration I was inclined to be pleased, at least with that part of
the narrative that made a passing allusion to my attire. This is what
the _Graphic_ said:--

Among the ladies frequently seen in society this winter is
Mrs. Marian Campbell Gouverneur, daughter of the late James
Campbell of New York and the wife of Samuel L. Gouverneur,
the only surviving grandson of ex-President James Monroe.
Mrs. Gouverneur is an elegant lady of pleasing manners,
sparkling vivacity and possesses a fund of humor and a mind
stored with a variety of charming information. She has
traveled a great deal and seen much of the fashionable
world. Mr. Gouverneur's mother was married in the White
House and--think of it!--on a Spread Eagle--that is to say,
on the carpet of which that very elastic bird made the
central figure. Suppose Miss Nellie Grant, of whose
engagement rumor outside of Washington talks so loud and
this city appears to know nothing, should take it into her
head to be married on a Spread Eagle, would not the other
Eagle, the public, stretch its wings and utter a prolonged
shriek? Now I ask you candidly, have we retrograded in
matters of taste or become less loyal to the true spirit of
our Republican institutions? Mrs. Gouverneur has the most
wonderful collection of American and Asiatic antiques. She
favors antique styles, even in matters of the toilet, and at
a party last week had her dress looped with the ornaments
which formed part of Mr. Monroe's court dress when