From the Richmond Whig, 1/6/1865, p. 1, c. 6

GAY AND FESTIVE. – In this dreary winter time, when there are thousands of hearths in this city without a cheerful spark, and thousands of women and children who have almost forgotten the taste and flavor of meat, “Upper-tendom” is as gay as though peace and plenty blessed the land, as though violent death, sorrow and cruel want were but empty sounds and had no being in our midst. There is one continued round of balls and parties and great suppers, and almost every night is made hideous by serenades from braying brazen bands. Nero fiddled while Rome was burning. There is much fiddling in Richmond, while battle and famine encompass us on every hand.

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