A Washington Season in 1883

A Washington Winter
by Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren
1883

Page 111: "A Washington season may be said to commence on New Year's Day, and to terminate with Ash Wednesday. This interval usually includes about two months' space of time, in which a series of gayeties engage the entire attention of society people; but with the setting-in of Lent, Catholics and Episcopalians withdraw more or less from the world, and their number is large enough to exercise decided influence over society movements, if not to control them."

A Washington Winter - Reconstruction

The author places the blame for the carpetbaggers of reconstruction squarely on the shoulders of Southerners themselves: "The close of the war found the leading families of the South sullen, discontented with the inevitable new status, and mourning over the Lost Cause. They disdained politics; and, in place of trying to gain political control of the seceded States, they held aloof in stolid contempt. This was, perhaps, not to be wondered at, in view of the violent revulsion of all their cherished hopes and feelings; but it was senseless and unwise. It gave the opportunity to strangers, men who sought the South as adventurers, to get control of local interests."

I can well imagine how this paragraph would have been received by those who lived and suffered in the south, especially Virginia, during the American civil war! I can hear the outraged voices rising in protest. I wonder if Thomas Nelson Page, a Virginia writer of the same period, wrote anything about this book? Or Sara Pryor, or Constance Cary Harrison, or later, Ellen Glasgow?

Novels Set in Washington DC

In my continuing quest for Washington society novels, I have discovered a wonderful list of novels set in Washington. Many, although not all, of the 19th century novels on the list are available for download at Google Books. Meanwhile, I continue reading A Washington Winter.

Washington Society 1883 - Visiting Days

A Washington Winter
By Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren
1883

"Monday is the reception-day of the wives of the Justices of the Supreme Court. Tuesday is a day selected by many in society to receive. Wednesday is Cabinet Day. Thursday is Senators' Day. " Mrs. Wilton proposes to receive on Friday from three until six, "for on this day most of the old families of Washington receive their friends. Each Saturday evening I propose to hold a conversazione."

A Washington Winter by Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren

I've been collecting digital books again. I began by searching for novels by Constance Cary Harrison, one of the Virginia-born novelists I enjoy. Then I got sidetracked by the idea of searching for Washington society novels. I have found several titles which sound promising, one in particular called A Washington Winter by Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren. Much to my surprise, there seems to be a body of 19th century novels set in Washington. A Washington Winter was published in 1883, and I would bet that Betty Herndon Maury read it. She was living in Washington at the time. I would love to know what she thought about it. Oh, for a discovery of a collection of letters by Betty!

Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a Blue Moon
by Molly Levite Griffis

What happens when a beloved grandparent begins displaying symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? Once in a Blue Moon by Molly Levite Griffis explores this theme in a loving and compassionate manner. It is a must read for all families struggling to explain to children what is happening when this disease strikes.

Reading now - The Vows of Silence; and The Chippendales

Today I bought Susan Hill's newly released (in the US) Simon Serrailler book, The Vows of Silence. The book was released here on October 29th, and when I searched Borders online inventory, the only copy I could find was about 15 miles away. It was not available at the Borders in Fredericksburg.

I have read the three previous Simon Serrailler books and enjoyed them. Hill writes a more literary detective novel than most, and the character of Simon Serrailler appeals to me greatly in much the same manner that P.D. James's Adam Dalgliesh does. I am looking forward to reading this book, more for the new details about Simon's life than for the plot revolving around the crimes.

I have also ordered Howards End is on the Landing, also by Susan Hill. I have read mixed reviews of this book, but as I am an admirer of Susan Hill, I know I will find her views interesting.

On my Sony PRS-505 I am reading The Chippendales by Robert Grant, a story of new Boston (new in the 1880s, anyway) and old Boston, clashing values as the city grows and changes. I think it is a wonderful novel, evoking a stronger sense of place than any other novel set in Boston that I have read. Grant (1852-1940) was a probate judge from a notable Boston family, so he knows whereof he writes. The link in the title at the beginning of the paragraph will take you to the Google Books version which can be downloaded either in pdf or ebpub format. Well worth reading.

If only I had more time for reading!