The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-03
WAsmiNoroN, January l, lsls

WA.u,NoroN, January lsls
The NeV Year-President's Lspre-.4 Hurried Picture
of the Scene -theFinale.
In the Capital of the nation jour de Tan is not
a. In England In oden times ushered In by drinking
spiced liquor the wassa bowl but by the firing OF
guns and squibs and loud hurrahs, If take the de-
monstratons Of the morning as the custom Of the me-
tropolitans.
Notwithstanding the dampnsss of the atmosphere,
the muddy ds-walks. and the black clouds overhead.
struggling musicians In uniform with their horns under
their arms on way the Presidents house acted
pisneers for others to follow Hacks ana private vs
hcles from every direction, flying to- the great
scene Of attraction The main path leading to the man
sion, was as much crowded as Broadway after ohurch
time. 1t was gala day q day Of rejoicing DAY OF
sights! go
Like soldiers two by two, entering the white
house. ladies and gentlemen marched into the blue
room where stood the President, with smile upon his
face, and his hand extended ready to be shaken As
visiters finished this part of the programme they step
ped over to the Predentes where they were greeted
with courtesy and remark appropriate to the occa-
sion MIR Polk had male friends near him and Mrs
Polk female suite assist in the honors Of reception
Old Cave had for hour. thrown aside his mail bags
and there he stood conversng with lady. The Vice
President with his white pow helped to complete the
family picture, which was surrounded by frame OF
army and naval officers ana other men OF hieh ana
low degree and interspersed with the gentler OF
course.
The band of marines, meanwhile, di.coursed their
loudest music making the halls crazy with the concate-
nation of harsh sounds
In the famous east roor the grand display; b.
PageOt,
tunes with their attaches especial objects Of re-
mark The wife Of the Russian minister did not lean
upon her husbands arm but upon thst OF friend, or
relative. All the foreign gentry and there were more
than twenty them, provided with ladies' jabber
ing French some other lingo to US incomprehensble
Major Graham ut whose instance reporter was expe
ed the ntermiuable court martial was there and
so was the kind Major Deladed, OF West Point with
Colonel Crane and the svered Lieut. Col Morgan the
apvnica Of the board that trying Lieut. Col Fremont
General Brooke absent being unweli at his quar-
ters. We missed the manly form Of Major Gen scott,
hovo offa at hp lev
der Of them ALL Instead Of revealing here he Is reve
ling in the halls of the Montezumes y Clerks OF the
departments had put their hest clothes and creased
their hair with Gibbs motle du beuf There was pro-
fusion of white bonnets and feathers and every variety
of from that Of duchess to the costume OF the
republican housewife Every one seemed TO nave q gay
heart II the wishes for health and happiness be rea
lzsd of that large assembly will never be die
Governor Marcy in his new trousers and black broad
ccth seemed to be at loss what to do or where to go
although he looked the eve Of gorg to sleep he was
whirled round by the crowd, and kept awake by the
at, aims of what countryman called the muscianrs
But Buck the Secretary Of State, was favored besu
A lady hum on each arm To him stoop down to
alternately and perceive the smiles which
his rems Ks occasoned one would have thought that he
How happy could be with either,
II tother dear chsrmer away"
justices Of the Supreme Court. 1t was nothing but
shaking of hands. and how dye do and " happy
year" and gggling, and promenading, and music
Old Janus If he had osen present would have been &c
lighted with the honor, paid TO ha ny the assembiage
difficulty made -grers into the hall There he is,
with his in blue sling we beard one say and turn
round Gen Shields looking none the worse Tor
the dinner last night ard In the line OF march for the
blue chamber to pay his respects to the President
ladies spoke the hero crowds pressed around
him. And gszsd upon his healthy mustacbsd
phiz We wondered this be the man whose " bow els
were shot away by . cannon ball ~ Seriously, there
mistake about the effect Of the shot Of the
Mexicanoe.
We entered by the door, and retired by the windows,
steps having been provided for the occasion.
Mrs Madison kept open house, and carriages drove
up to and departed from her door The old lady was
dressed usual with her such occasions her head
covered with white turban, and her temples dark
curls Several female relative near her side. She
looks exceedingly well for her age, and received her v
tiers with dignity
MIR. Adams the venerable gentleman from Massschu-
setts-reoeived his friends. While We were happy TO
take him by the hand grieved that 1t tremoed
Alas this remnant Of olden time fast falling in body
IL Is some singular however that he still read
without spectacles Mrs. Adams, his consor assisted
him in the honors OF reception.
Mr. Benten-the Senator from Nissouri-opened his
doors to all who chose to call upon him. And his was
the only house Of tho four have mentioned, where
the wassail bowl was offered to his guetts.
The mayor OF the city, and others entertained visers
in the course Of the day.
After all the evees over, in the afternoon, the
promenade transferred to the avenue the very
accommodatingy having shown his smiling face