Identifier: belleoffiftiesmeclay (find matches)
Title: A belle of the fifties; memoirs of Mrs. Clay, of Alabama, covering social and political life in Washington and the South, 1853-66
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: Clay-Clopton, Virginia, 1825-1915 Sterling, Ada, d. 1939
Subjects: Clay-Clopton, Virginia, 1825-1915 Clay, C. C. (Clement Claiborne), 1816-1882 Women Refugees Prisoners of war
Publisher: New York, Doubleday, Page & Co.
Contributing Library: University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Digitizing Sponsor: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Ohio; Miss Cutts, afterward Mrs. Douglas, andMrs. Pendleton and the beautiful brum, Mrs. Roger A.Pryor, being estimated as next in order of beauty. LikeMrs. Chestnut, also a renowned belle, Mrs. Pugh wassomething more than a woman of great personal loveli-ness. She was intellectual, and remarked as such evenin Washington, where wits gathered. Both of theseprized associates remained unspoiled by the adulationwhich is the common tribute to such unusual femininecomeliness. I was not present when the Austrian Minister, theChevalier Hulseman, paid his great compliment (now aclassic in the capital) to Miss Chalfant; but it was soonthereafter repeated to me. It was at a ball at whichpretty women thronged. As the Ministers gaze restedupon Miss Chalfant, his eyes expanded with admiration.Approaching, he knelt suddenly before her, exclaiming, Madame ! I have from my Empress a piece of preciouslace (and he fumbled, but, alas ! vainly, in his pocketsas he spoke) which her Majesty has commanded me
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MRS. ROGER A. PRYOR cf Virginia A HISTORIC CONGRESSIONAL MESS 45 to present to the most beautiful woman in Washington.You—you are more, the most beautiful in the world !I have not with me the lace, but I will send it if you willpermit me! And he kept his word. We were gladto welcome to our mess so lovely and famous a bride.Mrs. Pughs beauty was of so exquisite a type, the bodilyso permeated by the spiritual, that she shone preeminentwherever she appeared, and this wholly independent ofshowy attire. Though always presenting an appearanceof elegance, Mrs. Pughs gowns were invariably of thesimplest. Our mess soon became aware that ourbeautiful favourite was primarily a lovely woman, andno mere gay butterfly. Her nature was grave ratherthan vivacious, the maternal in her being exceedinglystrong. I recall the reply she gave me on the afternoon of acertain Cabinet day. It was the custom on this weeklyrecurring occasion for several of the ladies of our messto make their calls together, thu

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