Saturday. Went to Sydney Dameron’s little birth-night party; played a little for the young folks to dance. Met Mrs. Richardson, who has founded an asylum for old women, supported by contributions from both friends and enemy. The Federals have seized the city finances, also much private finances, and as they pretend to feed the poor, Mrs. R —— demanded bread of Colonel Deming with a sweet smile and a pretty play of words, “You are said to be the best-bred man in the city, Colonel Deming, and therefore I come to you for bread.” Needless to say she got her bread.
Mrs. Richardson was very anxious that Ginnie or I should write a few complimentary and regretful remarks to be published in the Picayune; subject, “The retirement of Colonel Deming from service.” I have never met the gallant Federal and have heard nothing which could incline me to take such a step, especially as she wished the remarks made in the name of the ladies of New Orleans. Mrs. R —— made him a perfect hero, and to quiet my objections, said she thought that our rulers here who had behaved like gentlemen should be complimented publicly, as a sort of distinction to them, and an acknowledgment on our part that we can appreciate kind treatment. Colonel Deming may be a hero; his resignation, I confess, speaks well for him, if he goes back to become a peace advocate, as Mrs. R —— says, but I thought it better for Mrs. R —— herself to take the responsibility of complimenting him. I told her that personal acquaintance was a great spur and that she could be much more eloquent than I on the subject. Mrs. Norton was anxious that we should accept Mrs. R ——’s proposal, though she hates the Federals, one and all, as bad as we do. She seemed to think it conferred, or would confer, some sort of distinction upon us, and told me I was too squeamish, when I said that I could not accept another’s interpretation of a man; indeed this wise lady seems to have little discrimination. She was eloquent in praise of Governor Shepley but a little while since, and as I have had several interviews with this gentleman, I would prefer to have some one else dissect character for me. The Ogden girls have been in town often, begging us to visit them at Greenville, also Mr. and Mrs. Randolph; so we have decided to go out and spend a week.
