Washington Gossip

A vexed question of etiquette ñxistsbetween the ladies of the ftenatd and the adíes of the Supren.e Cuurt. The judiciary hostesses say to the Senatorial iiiatrons: " Yuu inust cali on ua. We huid our offices on our good behavior ; you at the will oí yonr consútuents. We are a separate, permanent brauuh of the governineut ; you temuorary." " ïhat is all very well," reply these, "it is quite true you are, like Susan Nipper, peruiu nent,' but be kind enough to teil us who conliruis you iu your perniancy'r' You hold your offices 'on your good behavior' - tliat's true, too; but who are the judges ot your 'good behavior 't When you are uouiinated the Senato confiruis you. If you aie ïmpeacbed the St-nate tries yon. So you must cali on us." General sentiment is rather agamst the Supreine Gourt, liut as no une lias yet decided the matter the ladies of botn circles cali oa each olher, if personally acquainted, whfiibver they want to, but the calis are r.onsidered social, not formal. The Seiiatorical ladies are involved in still anotherdifficulty. Shail Mrs. Senator cali on Mrs. Speaker, or shall Mrs. Speaker cali on Mrs. Senator ' Mrs Senator doesn't hesitate to say " yes" directly to the last clause, but Mrs. Speaker contradiots her on the spot: because says she, " If the President should die, and if ihe Vice President shoukl die, and if there should be no President pro tem. of the Senate, my husband would be President - perhaps üe will anyhow," she adds, under her breath. But Mrs. Senator laughs at a dignity depending on three eontingencies ; and her claims beirig generally conceded, she stanHs aloof tiü propeily lecognized. Any one would imagine from such a Dracouian code that the most fastidious exclusiveness prevailed in Washington society. But it is the old story of tLe gnat and the camel. The public character of the Presidential and Cabinet receptions tinges even the more informal. Any lady whose husband has official position, be it ever so remote, may expeot to tind on receptiou days about one-third of her guests couiposed of peoplo with whoui she has the very slightest acquaintance - perhaps none at all, and the reporters for the local papers have no hesitancy in calling toward the close of her " afternoon," inquiring tue number of oalls receivHd, 8crutinizing the card basket as r-hey go out, and announciug in the inorning papers the statistics, with some remarks customary, if not always appropriate, on such occasions.