North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-03-22
From Arthur's Home Gazette.1
RECOLLECTION OF MRS. MADISON
By ARTHUR J. srANspuRv

AAOAN0 Vt Mis- MADISON
BY ARTHUR ]. srANsBuRY.
At Richmond first saw Mrs. Madison. and,
instant my eye fell upon her felt that Twas loe
on Queen. A queen she was; one of ns,ng
queens :--she looked the character her person
riage manners, language, would have been in psn:
Virgil's immortal words applied with force ,he
struck every beholder: /" Lncedit Regina" He, NO
son was large and dignifed, yet moved with easr
grace; her face full oval, with raised features douS
chin. fine eyes. and mouth dressed in the most win
ming smiles. 1t was face that seemed to bid yon
welcome, and to ask "what can do for you," NJ.
ing seen her, felt surprised at hsviDn
heard of her from boy Il could credit what baS
frequently been told me that her husband owed mnoS
of the success of his administration ESQ far as its po
ularity was concerned,) to the influence of his wiz
Her power over him was great, and all who sough,
preferment, promotion. favors of any kind, addresssi
themselves. naturally, to her, the readiest and S
surest channel Of access to the President. A corns
woman might have enriched herself to almost anv a
tent, by the use of such power. Madison bimsnr
was somewhat cold and shy. and timd suitors Womb
often have met, not with repulse, but with no;
refusal; but to Mrs. Madison any BODY every So%s
could approach and if their request was reasonaS.
and such lady might urge without deroua,;oUU
from her own sense of Propriety, they might count
upon least her good Offices had a personal ou'
portunty of Witnessing both the adroitness and ,b
prevalence, of her intercession. gentleman was =,
Richmond with subscription for edition of the
American Encyclopedia The presence of so numer-
J &,
vorabe opportunity for prosecuting such an enterprise
The work was expensive, and its publishers Womb
not feel warranted enter into such an underakin
without securing, beforehand, respectable amonnf
of patronage. The gentleman was very anxious, and
his first application must of course be made to M
Madison, that name alone would be worth TO him
more than hundred others. With such name at
the head of his list he could present it to any man.
without it, he would be met with its absence as an
objection. He applied, and was refused. Mr.. Mad.
ison admitted the value of the work, compimented
the applicant his enterprise in undertaking its ppb
LEGATION, wished him every success but pleaded his
own restricted circumstances, which would not ms
tify him in mourning the expense. The poor man
came to me in great detection. refusal from such
took the wi nd out of his sails it would ius
tify all in refusing who sought excuse to do So
IS What shall dog" said ne, in much perpexty."
Have you ever read the book of Judges % said l.
IS The book Of Judges! Why yes have read it; but
what has that to do with my subscription list?"
Z" More, perhaps, than you think. Do you remember
how the Philistines found out Samson's riddle Do
you recollect what he told them : If You had not
ploWed with my heifer, you would never have found
out my riddle.' Go you. and try the same pan"
6 You right; you re right Ill do it," Nexlday
he came into my room huzzang-'.I plowed with the
hefer; and see, here's the sign MANUAL / asked
him to tell me how she did it. Why" replied he
she brought the old gentleman, and told him
of how much importance it to get his
name." s. Yes my DEAR said he, - l am aware of
that; but you know, well |, that circum.
heavy an expense. l should be glad to aid this gen.
tleman, and glad to possess the work, but ! cannot
afford it." {" know that, my DEAR said his lady,
g or am you would give this gentleman your
name to help his list. But are not you Trus-
tee of the University of Virginia and couldn't you
take his book for the College 2" "True, true, my
love; never thought of that and he put down his
name. This is sample of the admirable tact with
which she could carry her point.
There were excellent points in her character. She
was a friend to the friendless. Whenever, in the
drawing-room, modest individual seemed thrown in
the back ground, her quick eye instantly perceived
it; and she would always contrive, without any pa
rade of condescenson but in most easy and nat
ural manner. by kind word, kind look, question,
or other of those nameless, intangible, but in
fuen,ial courtesies of which she perfect
mistress to attract attention and encouragement
ward the object of her kindness. Nor This trait
in her disposition confined mere courtesy of man.
ner she ready to confer substantial kindness
on those who needed it. Mr. Catlin, the adventurous
delineator of Indian life and manners, "a dis
tingushed for his modest simplicity of mind for
the charm of his pencil) related this an
ecdote. While quite young man, and soon after his
marriage, he was in Virginia, in the vicinity of Mr..
Madison's home, endeavoring to earn his support by
painting portraits he was Stranger and in narrow
circumstances, having taken cheap board at private
house in the country. Here his young wife was a-
ken sick with the intermittent fever so common in
a Southern climate, and confined for several weeks
to her bed. 1t desoate situation the necessa-
cured, especially by young couple, little known
and in narrow circumstances. But his wife had not
been sick many days, before lady, of very prepos-
sessny appearance entered her chamber, and with a
graceful apology for the intrusion introduced herself,
and begged to know how she could render any assis-
lance ;-and then laying aside her bonnet and shawl,
she sat down by her bedside cheered the invalid by
her conversation (Which flowed like gentle and
abundant rver,) mixed and administered her medi-
cues and from that hour continued to nurse her like
a sister, till she quite recovered. 1t was Mrs.
Madison.
| Another beautiful trait in her character was her
fondness for the young. No could have seen her
in company with young ladies' and failed to be struck
with this REGULARITY. 1t became the remarkable
as she advanced in years. At an age when to most
of those who reach it the Iiveness and chatter of
Young people is BURDEN she had still the fond
ness for their company there kinder chap
erone to be found in introducing and encouraging 4
bashful youLg girl, just come out" She conciia-
company, you would always find bevy of youthful
faces around her. all whose pleasure seemed to be
own.
| In almost every picture of Mrs. Madison, whether
miniature or portrait she is drawn with turban and
very properly for it was believe, her constant head
dress. However the fashions might change, and
however, in other respects, she conformed to them,
she still retained this popularity. 1t became her WE'LL
could she probabiy have laid itaside for anything
that would have set off her features better advan-
tage. So much was the eye accustomed it that
it became in fact, part of her figure. 1t was, TO her.
much what old Fredrck's three cornered hat was to
him and one would as soon expect to find Mrs. Mad
ison without her turban, the Prussian army would
to see their King without his hat. She rougee, TOO,
very freely; did she lay aside her turbaD, her
rouge, her courtlY manners, cheerful spirits or her