The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-02

Shrub TO shrub now darling their long slender bills
into the cup OF the beautiful coral honeysuckle and
then allghting on branch OF tree, from whence,
IN moment, Il would again dart with renewed vi
gor, while loud over all the chrping and humming,
would be heard in beautiful tones OF the singing
the lnlmltable and interchangeable knocking bird,
perched high on the topnost branches Of Some neigh
boring tree; all these Inducements presented in the
public grounds lying between the White House and
the Navy Department, are surely sufficient per-
suade one 10 love the country Surely, when we
had these attractions SO near TO the city, we must
teel our incnations leading us 10 wish we were in
lite country, where we could all its glorles and
beauties IN full perfection And yet while all these
attractions are within stones throw OF the popu
latlon OF this city, how few know OF their exls-
tence, and fewer still, knowing thereof, avail them
selves OF its delights And yet all these visible,
aud all these attractions beheld in rich pro fusion
IN the neighborhood which have mentioned, on
yesterday morning. Such weather, such views OF
the beauties and glories OF nature, animate and
inanmate, restore the freshness OF ones feelings,
relnygorate the mind, fill 1T with gratitude Tor so
many, various, and great enJoyments; encourage
the heart and fill IL with love and affection, and
prepare the behoder to go into society with deeper
Satisfaction, ana to reap greater delight from inter-
course with his fellow men. Such were some of
the feelings excited in me by the unexpected en-
Joyment l received, and il was fit that day so
agreeably commenced, should be ended by enjoy
ment as great, received in ~ company Of mankind
1t was he that sympathesS % awakened should be
as unexpectedly gratlfed as were mine by visit
10 the White House on the evening Of yesterday
Uadeistanding then that the evenings OF Tuesday
and Friday, from eight to ten O'clock were set
apart by President Polk for the reception of his
friends, and thinking that considerable period
had now elapsed from the day of inauguration,
Mr. Polk might not be so much pressed by the
VISITS ct otfice,eekers, concluded to go up 10 the
White II Iuse, see and shake hands with the peo-
PIES PRESIDENT and ascertain, from personal ob5er-
vation, the description and appearance OF the man
who had been Unexpectedly elevated to the highest
post in the gift OF the nation. Accordingly, about
halt past eight O'Clock I-entered the door of the
White House, and being directed towards the east
end OF the building by the servant, turned my
steps lhltherward, and seeing an open door
through which streamsd. a brilliant light, with
two or three gentlemen licking through it, l
Went there and looking in, was asionished
TO behold the room occupied, not by gentle
men alone, as | had exp cted, but also by
number OF ladies', forming coup all, so striking
aud SO unexpected, that tor some moments felt
plucking up all he courage Of which / was pos.
sessed. after some consideration, deposited my
hat upou a table the hall, and marched in,
thinking should probably had some friend who
would chaprron me, and prevent me from being
completely put out OF countena Mr.. Polk, with
genuine republican pollteness, Immediately ad.
vanced and received me and some other genie
men who then happened to come in with courtesy
and Kindness, although strangers to him. had
thea got ever the greatest difficulty, the Sntree
and then observed to myself, faith, gentlemen, you
"A Chiefs smaug ys taking notes.
Andfdith he'll prent them
The room in which found myself, was the one
ed, and Is about thirty by forty feet in size. The
iurnIture fully bore out the reputation which was
given TO it in the debates In the last Congress Of
being old and almost unfit for use-that is refer
to The seats, which evidently had seen great SER
vice Looking round the room, was delighted to
observe that sure sign ct delicacy of mind and
purity OF feeling, OF exquisite taste and conception
with beautiful flowers. love flowers, and love
those who love flowers, for never see them with.
out lnyoluntarlly repeating to myself the quota.
"They are tho alphabet OF angels,
Wherewith they write on hills and fields,
Having thus seen the evidences on which ! Law
great streets, was prepared to find those compos
Ing the n,eTdge everything | could wish. ] shall
not say much of Mr.. Polk. He is in a position
where his actions must make or mar him. His
appearance is In his favor TO my view, and trust
that his course in the present complicated state Of
our foreign relations, will be suca as to MAINTAIN
the honor and interests OF his country, and 10 ad
vance Its welfare and by that means to secure
Tor him reputation the most cnviable-one that
viii be endurlng-ihat will live after him, because
founded upon the triumph which right and princi-
pies are cure to achieve. His manners in inter-
course are courteous and gcntlemaDly, and entire.
y free from ahectation. Then, there is Mrs. Polk,
who Is, IN appearance, and experience, moreover,
coufrms It, an amiable, intelligent lady, Her con-
of that afable, gentle nature, so pleasing to
persons of every degree. She is intellectual, TOO,
IN high degree, and her every remark in CONVEX
saiion shows the highly cultivated mind and the
kind, friendly heart and disposition.
Time from her form, hath taen away but little of it's
grace,
H touch ofihough hath dgnifed the beauty face
Mrs. Polk is aided in her duties by Mrs. Walk
or, the vile OF the gentemany private Secretary
OF the President, James Knox Walker. Esq., and,
indeed, she is most apt, able and beautiful assist
ant. She is young, and, indeed, resembles
Fruits that have just begun
on q lie that VT thn ~
Aud lively, pleasant aud good-tempered she is
most evidently. Her beauty is the least of her
charms, though
"Her laugh is like fairys laugh,
So musical aud sweet
Her foot is like fairys foot,
So dainty and so feet
Her smile is full sunshine,
Her hand is dimpled snow,
Her lip very rose bud
In sweetness and in glow"
Why, with MIR. and Mrs: Polk, and Mr. and
Mrs Walker, that household must be delightful
one. feel a strange longing to be introduced to
their samctu'n sanctornm, their haven of domestic
~ oplne, | should have to apply this description
TO IT,
There's you love dearly the sanctum Of bliss,
That holds all the conf FITS you least like to miss
Where, like ants in hi!lock, you RON in and out,
Where sticks grace the corner and hats lie about
Wi bookshelves where tones Of ell are spread
Not placed to bc looked at, but meant to be read"
While | was making these observations, and
holding conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Polk, and
some one or Two others, additional company began
10 arrive, and had plenty to do to note the ap-
peaance, and manners, and approach of the vistors
There were the cid stagers in politics and Office
seeking, who walked boldly in, with knowing,
don't.care-a-d-n air, and famary seized and
shook the Presidents baud, aud mmedia. ely
whispered some profound secret, consisting of the
most important political Information, into his ear
whca meant that he wanted an office Then
there were the officials and the gentlemen, who
came 10, addressed the President, bid HIM good
evening, and inquired after his health, and then
moved one eide 10 allow him to he at liberty to
converse with strangers, or those with whom he
might desire Then there were number of the
good substantial yeomanry OF the country, who
came in 10 and shake hands with the President.
whom they had aided TO place in his position
There were some who were bashful, and afraid to
come ia further than the door, to whom the Pre-
sldent kindly advanced. and addressing thcr, with