Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-01-16

the most punctual u men, an agitation was
observable on the outskirts Of the crowd,
which gradually opened aud gave space for
the approach of an elegant white coach,
drawn by six superb white horses, having
on its four sides beautiful designs of the
four seasons, painted by CiprianL ltslow-
y made its way, till 1t drew up Immediate
" in front of the Hall The rush was now
tremendous. But as the coach door was
opened. there issued from it two gentlemen,
with long white wands, who, with some diff
fculty, parted the people, so as to open
passage from the carriage to the steps, on
which the fortunate school-boy had achlev-
ed footing, aud whence the whole pro-
ceeding could be distinctly seen As the
person of the President emerged from the
carriage, a universal shout rent the air, and
continued as he very do!ibcsaiet5 asccnded
the sleos. On reaching the platform, he
paused, looking back on the carriage, thus
ailOrding to the anxiety of the people the
indulgence they desired Of ieasilng their
eyes upon his person. Never did a more
majestic parsonage present himself to the
public gaze. lie was within two feet Of
me : | could have touched his clothes but
| should as soon have thought Of touching
an electric battery. Boy, as | was, felt
as in the presence Of a divinity As he
assembled ascended with him, step by step,
creeping close to the wall, and almost hid
den by the skirts of his coat. Nobody look
ed at me everybody was looking at him ;
and thus | was permitted, unnoticcd, TO
glide along, and happily to make my way
iwherc SO many were vainly longing and
struggling TO enter,) into the lobby If The
House OF Representatives. Once IN | was
safe; for had even been seen by the Off
GERS 10 Attendance, 1t would have been i'm
possible to yet me out again. saw near
me a large pyramldal stove, which, loriu-
naley, had but little fire in il, and on which
| forthwith cIambered, until had attained
a secure perch from which every part of
the Hall could be deliberately and distinct
ly surveyed Depend upon 1t, | made use
ofmy eyes
Ga either side ofthe broad aisle that was
left vacant 10 the centre, we're assembled
the two Houses of Congress. As the Pres
ident entered, all rose, aud remainded stand
ing till he had assembled the steps at the up
per end of the chamber, and taken his seat
Ia the Speakers chair. 1t was an impress
siye moment. Notwithstanding that The
spacious apartment, floor, lobby, galleries,
and all approaches were crowded to their
utmost capacity, not sound was heard /;
the silent expectation was unbroken and
profound every breath seemed suspended.
He was dressed in a full suit Of the richest
black velvet his lower lmhs in short
eloihos wFe aa.aaa3 .a, 70. ( ak,,1,' and
black silk stockings. His Noes, which
were brightly JaPPaned, wore su'n'oosied
with large square silver bucklcs. His hair,
carefully displayed in the manAeF of the
day, was richly powdered, aud gathered be-
hind into a black silk bag, on which was IA
bow Of black ribbon. In his hand he car
RED plain cooked hat, decorated with the
American cockade. lie wore by his side
a slight, slender dress sword an a green
shagreen scabbard, with a richly ornament
ed hit. His gait was deliberate, his man
ner solemn but serposscssed, and he pre-
sented, altogether, the most august human
figure had then, or have since beheld.
At the head OF the Senate stood Thomas
Jefferson, in a blue coat, single-breasted
with large bright basket buttons, bis vest
aud small clothes of crimson. ( remember
being struck with his animated counter
ance, OF brick red hue, his bright eye and
foxy hair, as well as by his full, gaunt, I'M
ganly form, and square shoulders A per-
feet contrast was presented by the pale, re-
Elective face aud delicate figure of James
Madison and above all, by the short, bur
ly, busting form of General Knox, with
rudy cheek, prominent eye, and still more
prominent proportions of another kind. Ia
the sem-circle which was formed behind
the char, aud on either hand Of the PresI-
dent, my boyish gaze was attracted by the
splendid attire of the Cheyaler D'Yruio,
the Spanish ambassador, then the only for
eign minister near our infant government
His gIitering star, his silk chapedu bras
edged with ostrich feathers, his foreign air
and courtly hearing contrasted largely with
those nobility OF natures forming who stood
around him. Ii was very fair representa-
ton of the old world and the new How
often has the same reflection occurred to
me since, Oh Witnessing the glittering, and
now numerous company of foreign dlgnita-
ries collected round our PresldAus ~. an
Inauguration day, or the recurrence Of our
national anniversary. True, the indlyldu-
ais who form this brilliant C0tCrie are, for
the most part, men eminent Tor general IN
tellgence, as well as the virtues of private
life; men who meet, and well deserve a cor
dial welcome on our shores, and often carry
from II the sincerest regrets. But how do
the personal attainments and characters of
the men themselves put out the blaze Of the
gold aud diamonds with which their gov
ernmenis had covered them And ii, even
in the unadorned presence of his successors,
these decorations seem puerle in republic
can eyes, how would they have faded away
aud been lost in the chilling grandeur of the
public presence of Washington.
Having retained his seat for few mo-
ments, while the members resumed their
seats, the President rose, and taking from
his breast roll of manuscript, proceeded TO
read his address. His voice was full aud
sonorous, deep and rich in its tones, free
from that trumpet ring which it GUILD as
sumo amid the tumult of battle, land which
is said to have been distinctly heard above
all its roar,) but sufficiently loud aud clear
to fill the chamber and be heard with per-
feet ease, IN its most remote recesses. The
address was of considerable length It's
topics, of course, | forget, as ! was too
young to understand them; | only remem-
her IN ifS an ref IN the