The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-27
From Com5e's Tour in The IT, s.
MANSION AND FARM AT NORTH BEND.

I.
| General Harrison's residence at North Bend con-
| ssts of centre house of two stories, now covered
with clapboards, but which the General told us is
really built oflogs and clap boarded wings of one
story each. II stands about quarter of mile from
the Ohio, in grass park, having few cherry trees
in the distance, and several laburnums close 10 the
door. The park may contain forty or fifty acres en-
| closed with rail fence. A foot-path worn in the
grass but not formed by art leads from the gate to the
door of the house. The floor of the house is about
| fifteen or eighteen inches above the grass, and
three stones Of increasing thickness undressed not
built on each other, but each laying the ground
at successive distances steps sumount this
height The centre house has much the appearance
of log cabin The principal room in il is c0aEsey
finished snd The however, is finished like modern
] house. and comfortably furnished drawing room.
Between the park and the river canal is forming to
connect Cincinnati with the interior Of the State
General Harrison was suffering from violent head
ache when arrived but Mrs. Harrison gave us a
kind welcome and the General at length appeared
He is now sxty-seyen rather above the middle stature
and he stoops considerably His temperament is ner-
vous and bilious his head is long, of full average
height but not remarkably broad. The anterior lobe
is above average both in length from front to back,
and height and both the observing and rejecting
gans are well developed The head is obviously fiat
in the region of acqusitiveness. The moral region
seemed to present an average deveopement. His eye
is vvacious, and his countenance highly expressive
Of thought; indeed, his whole appearance is much
more that of literary scientific man, than of mill
tary commander His habitation presented unequvo-
chi indications of humble fortune; indeed may say
and say it without the least feeling of disrcspect) Of
poycrty; vet his manner and appearance those
of man of the world who was familiar with the best
society," and who in the retirement of his farm al North
Bend, retained the polish and appearance Oft gentle
In making these remarks may appear TO be tres
passing beyond the limits Of legitimate publication,
and trenchng the prvacies of domestic life but
at the time OF my visit, and for many subsequent
months all the circumstances of General Harrison's
conduct and condition, private well public,
described and discussed in almost every periodical of
the Union: and state little here that is not pub
lie in the United States the MONDAY sun.
Immediately after dinner retired and walked
with him over part Of his farm. II is his own proper
~, and told extends to about 1900 acres part
Of his witcs dowry. From the rising ground behind
his house. the view highly beautiful, embracing two
beds of the Ohio and its picturesque banks AT first
intended to plant this spot the great city OF
the west but il is said that the commanding officer of
the district entertained affection for the wife of
sergeant who then stationed at Cincinnati, and
this induced him to his troops there, om which
circumstance the town sprang into being. Behind
the Generals house is large garden, in which was
white headed eagle, with only one leg. IL was pre-
scented to him by a convention of his political friends.
The captors of the eagle had disocated IFS leg and
Dr. Thornton the Generals son-inla law, bell wing 10
to be broken, amputated IT, The friend who intro
duced us to the General, said General Harrison has
promised TO Keep the eagle t the 4th OF March nett
when we hope he will 20 to the White House" All.
said the General promptly and in the most natural
tone there is one other condition about that II Mr.
Van Buren, abandons his mischicvous policy, he may
stay in the White House, and shall remain in mine
In the evening we left North Bend, and had a de-
ghtu drive along the right bank of the Ohio TO Gin
cinnati ! was impressed by this visit with strong
feeling Of respect for General Harrison. After long
life spent in the service of his country, he lives POOR
indeed, but he cheerful and happy lie does
ma Iopg hp max
parade of IT, He aludes TO il simply fact and he
BETRAYED not emotion Of envy jealousy OF any
human being, and still less did hcindicatc anyieeng
| Of disappointed ambition