From Washington

Mr. Lionell S. Sackville West, the new British minister, enjoyed ast evening his first entertainment since his arrival here, Mr. Drummond, the secretary of the British egation, giving a dinner party at Wormley's in his honor. As.owing to the president's absence, Mr. West has not officially been presented to him, it would be contrary to diplomatic etiquette for him to accept an invitation from any one save a member of the British legation, who belongs to the same official family as the minister. The banquet was noticeable for the absence of anything like ostentat-ous display, either in menu or decorations, it now beiug considered in England "very bad form" to entertain otherwise. Theflowers were very beautiful, and tasteiully arranged, and the table was lighted by 18 wax candles, with colored shades, in handsome gilt candelabra, nine at each end. The dinner cards were plain white, with an artificial rosebud attached to each. There were 20 at the table after the arrival of Gen. Shtrman, who, at the suggestion of his host, was permitted to come late, he having had aprevious engagement to preside at the CJAKFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL meeting. At that meeting it was reported that 60,000 circulars had been sent out asking aid. Secretary Blaine has also caused to be sent copies of it to all the principa diplomatic stations abroad, and vill follow them with a personal note. $100,000 is expected by New Years; not more than $10,000 has yet been subscribed. The churches will be asked to take a collection for the purpose some day in December. Leadingresponsible wellknown men have the matter in charge, and no doubt is here tained oí a grand success. The masons of Washington last night commemorated their "Frater" James A. Garfield,by the solemn ceremonies of a "Lodge of Sorrows." The Foundry church was crowded, notwithstanding tickets were required to be allowed t.o enter. The ñickering candles about the coffin, and entire church shroüded in black, impressed the unsophisticated as well as the initiated. The property of the late Senator and Gen. Burnside was so encumbered that the heirs will get nothing . Three senators and a cabinet officer recently examined a list of ques'.ions that had been used at a departmental examinaüon for clerical aoDointments. After a careful inspection, each of the foilr wellknown statesmen candidly admitted that in such a test they would certainly fail of getting a clerkship. The discharge of Brady and the other defendants in the "Star route cases" does not by any means "end all." Mr. Cook, after explaining why the case was first put in the form of "filing inibrmation," said, "being sustained by the administration, and its superior officers, the cases in whatever form the court mav approve, will be carried on until the quesüon ot innocence or guilt of all the parties accused shall be determined by "a jury ot the country governed by the rules oí lavv enunciated by the court. Postmaster-General James has made arrangements for a pleasure trip to Florida, for a couple oí weeks. President Arthur returned to Washington this afternoon, accompanied by Judge Folger, the new secretary of the treasury. Secretary Blaine will return tomorrow,"having finished the task of making the oil and water mix just enough, but not too much. The Germans have gone home, but the French are ouring the country on their own account. 'The tall sycamore of theWabash," Senator Voorhees, is said to have a "Presidential Bee in his bonnet." Henee his late Atlanta speech. Owing to the alleged adulteration of beer in New York city, Commissioner Raum intends to nave a general examination of the materials used in the manufacture of beer all over the country. The assassin Guiteau still pies the cell in which he was placed after Sergeant Masón had shot at him. Not having met the expected mob when he was taken to court, and having been returne d to the jail in safety, his health has ever since been improving. During the last month gained probably ten pounds. His hair, which he had cropped short when he first entered the jail, has, by the advice of his counsel, been allowed to grow, and he now presents a more respectable appearance. His actions indícate that he is quite confident ot' acquital on the ground of "legal insanity" as he calís it. It is thought he is preparing his own case, as when not with counsel hesperias mostoi his time writing. Yesterday a lady tract-distributor passed some papers and tracts to him, saying, "I hope you have made your preparations for eternity." The prisoner cheerfully answered, "Oh, I am all right in that regard." To other visitors, later, he said, "You may teil the public that I am in good spirits. By the way, 1 see by the papers the republicans have carried New York. That is good, ain't Mr. Scov'lle was here a little while ago, and he will bring my sister (Mr. Scoville), down tomorrow morning. My brother, too, will be here to-night, and come down in the morning." His manner was rapid, and he wanted to do all the talking. As they passed on he said, "Cali again, gentlemen." A jury will be obtained with difficulty. The defeat of Astor and the election of Fowler, democrat, in New York, to fill the seat in the House of Repres;ntatives vacated by Levi P. Morton, Minister of Finance, makes it almost possible to elect a democratie speaker. The probabilities, hovvever, as announced by bolh parties, are decidedly in favor of a republican speaker. The straight republicans will have 146 votes - one less than a majority over all. It is pretty generally conceded that Smith, independent republican of Brooklyn, and the two readjustors elected from Virginia will vote with the republicans in electing all the officers of the next House, thus givingthem 149 votes or two majority. The republicans also claim that Mr. Bareman Pennsylvania, and four greenbackers from Missouri, will also vote with them. Although congress will convene in three weeks from Monday next, the contest for speakership is carried on by post mostly, and away from the seat oí war. Mr. Kiefer and Hiscock are in New York. Mr. Kasson of Iowa, the prominent candidate, has leased a house on Lafayette Square. It will be alter Thanksgiving before many of the members arrive. There is nothing in the talk of Mahone goinc into the cabinet. Nov. 11, '91.