The people's press, and Addison County Democrat. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1838-1841, 1841-05-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Conabe's tour in The United States.
MANSION AND FARM AT NORTH
.REND

Gen. HGrrison's residence at North Bend
consists Of a centre house of two stories. now
covered with clapboards, but which the Gen.
told US is really built of logs. and two clap
boarded wings of one story each. 1t stands
about 4 quarter of a mile from the Ohio, in a
grass park having few cherry trees in the
distance. and several laburnums close to the
door. The park may contain forty or fifty
acres, enclosed with rail fence. A foot path
worn in the grass, but not formed by art. leads
from the gate 10 the door of the house. The
floor Of the house is about fifteen or eighteen
inches above the grass, and three stones of in
creasiug thickness. addressed, not built on
each other, but each laying on the ground, at
successive distances, serve rs steps TO sur
mount Ibis height. The centre house has
much the appearance of a log cabin. The
principal room in it is coarsely finished, and
the wooden fire blazas on the hearth. One Of
the wings, however, is finished like a modern
house, and comfortably furnished as drawing
room. Between The park ard the river ca
nal is forming 10 connect Cincinnati with the
interior of the state.
Gen Harrison was suffering from n violent
headache when we arrived, but Mrs. Harrison
gave US a kind welcome, and the General at
length appeared. He is now sixiy.seven,raih
err above The middle stature, and he stoops con-
siderably. His temperament is ncrv GUS and
bilious, his head is lohg, full average height,
but remarkably broad. The anterior lobe is
above an average, both in length from front to
back and height, and both the observing and
rejecting organs are well developed. The
head is obviously fat in the region of acqui ST.
iiveness. The moral region seemed to present
an average Development. His eye is viva.
cious; and his coun.enance is highly express
i've of thought; indeed, his whole appearance
is much more that Of literary or scientific
mon, than a military commander. His hobita.
ton presented unequivocal indications OF hum
bic fortune: indeed may say land | say i;
without the least feeling Of disrespecO of pow
erty; yet his manner and appearance were
those of a man of the world who was familiar
with the best society. and who. in The retire
ment of his farm at North Bend, retained the
polish and appearance of gentleman.
In making these remarks, may appear 10
be trespassing beyond the limits of Legitimate
publication. and trenching on the privacies OF
domestic life; but at the time Of my visit, and
for many subsequent months, all the circum.
stances of General Harriscn's conduct and
condition, private as well as public, were des.
cribed and discussed in almost every periodi-
cal of the United States as the MONDAY sun.
Immediately after dinner we retired and
walked with him over part of his farm. 1t is
his own property, aud we are told extends 10
about 1900 acres, part OF his wife's dowry.-
From the rising ground behind his house, the
view is highly beautiful, embracing two bends
of the Ohio and its picturesque bank. At first
it was intended to liant on this spot the great
city of the west; but it is said that the com.
manding officer of the district entertained an
affection for the wife of sergeant who was
then stationed at Cincinnati and this induced
him 10 remove his troops there, from which
circumstance the town sprang into being. Be:
hind the Generals house is large garden, in
which was a white headed eagle with one leg.
! It was presented 10 him by a convention of his
political friends. The captors of the eagle had
disocated its leg, and DR.. Thornton, the Gen.
erals son. in. law, believing it 10 be broken.
amputaied it. The friend who introduced us
TO the General, said "General Harrison has
promised TO keep the eagle till the 4th of March
next, when we hope nc will 60 to the White
House." GALL" said the General promptly,
and in the most natural tone, there is one
other condition about that. If Mr.. Van Buren,
abandons his mischievous policy, he may stay
in the White House, and | shall remain in
NINE"
In the evening we left North Bend, and had
delightful drive along the right bank of The
Ohio to Cincinnati. was impressed by this
visit with strong feeling of respect for Gen.
Harrison. After long life spent in the ser
J vice of his country, he lives, poor indeed, but
he seems cheerful and happy. He does no:
conceal his poverty, nor does he make the
least parade of it. He aIludes 10 it simply as
a fact, and he betrayed not one emotion of en-.
Wy or jealousy of any human being and still
less did he indicate any feeling of disappoint-
ed ambition.