A Tale of One Society Belle of 1878

Bridal costumes and dress of the era. — “She rarely breakfasted away from her apartments, but unless dining out she always came to the 6 o’clock dinner. I well remember the sensation which attended her entrance to the dining room. She was always dressed most richly, but never showily. A handsome horse is best displayed in a simple harness. Being a horsewoman, she followed the motto in her own trappings. As I recall it, I do not remember ever to have seen a finer form than Mrs. Hicks’. She was unusually tall and straight—a beautiful neck and a well poised head. At this time she wore little jewelry—occasionally a necklace of diamonds and emeralds, and occasionally solitaire earrings as big as her thumb nail. Her dresses were singularly plain, but the fitting of them was a work of art. She was very graceful and self-possessed; her manners were not haughty in the least, but they possessed that quiet reserve and self consciousness that kept all at a distance.” 

Mrs. Hicks is remembered in Washington

The marriage of Mrs. Hicks in New York a few days ago is generally spoken of here, where she was well known, as very eccentric, to say the least. It recalls to the minds of those who were living at the Arlington Hotel, in this city, in the winter of 1872, the star boarder of that fashionable house. Mrs. Hicks came to Washington in regal style. She had the best rooms in the hotel. She was accompanied by Mrs. Hills, an old lady of white hair and aristocratic bearing, who was unable, as was noticed, to be out much at night. She came in the capacity of friend and companion to Mrs. Hicks. She had her separate suite of rooms, as well as Mrs. Hicks. They each had their private servant, and Mrs. Hicks had a maid besides and her coachman and footman. Her rooms were the same which Secretary and Mrs. Hamilton Fish occupied one winter, and the same which King Kalakaua and suite were assigned during his stay in Washington. These consisted of sleeping chambers, bath rooms, breakfast rooms, two parlors, and servants’ quarters. For these Mrs. Hicks paid $50 a day. 

She rarely breakfasted away from her apartments, but unless dining out she always came to the 6 o’clock dinner. I well remember the sensation which attended her entrance to the dining room. She was always dressed most richly, but never showily. A handsome horse is best displayed in a simple harness. Being a horsewoman, she followed the motto in her own trappings. As I recall it, I do not remember ever to have seen a finer form than Mrs. Hicks’. She was unusually tall and straight—a beautiful neck and a well poised head. At this time she wore little jewelry—occasionally a necklace of diamonds and emeralds, and occasionally solitaire earrings as big as her thumb nail. Her dresses were singularly plain, but the fitting of them was a work of art. She was very graceful and self-possessed; her manners were not haughty in the least, but they possessed that quiet reserve and self consciousness that kept all at a distance. Side by side with her walked her chaperone, Mrs. Hills, both in immaculate white kids—a new pair (as a friend of hers told me) every day. 

Before the ladies strutted their major domo, who never left their side at the table. Other waiters might bring Mrs. Hicks her food, but only their own servant might place it before her. Her dinner over, the whitest of hands were dipped in the finger-bowl, dried on the softest of napkins and drawn again into the whitest of kids, and, Mrs. Hicks and her companion marched out of the dining room, preceded by her servant and followed by the eyes of the common mortals. She had little company, but it was of the best. None of the common herd ever dried their fleece at her fire. She went out a good deal in her own carriages—driving a big team of banged steppers to a fine coupe and Victoria. She also find her saddle horse, and when she trotted along the avenue or through the park, followed by her groom in mulberry coat, cocked hat, striped waistcoat, and knee breeches, she was the personification of grace and beauty. 

She was, if I remember rightly, on intimate terms at the house of George Bancroft, the historian, and with the families of several of the foreign Ministers. Gen. Banks was frequently in her company, and also Gen. Butler. There was, I believe, a report current at one time that she and Gen. Butler were to be married. This is not extraordinary, as her name has been connected with a good many desirable widowers, including Gen. Schenck and the brother of the Duke of Richmond. Her departure from Washington  regretted by her landlord, at least.—Philadelphia Times, 1878

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