Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-07-21
ynttrtsting SkettBes
From the Home Journal.
LADY OCCUPANTS
Of the White House at Washington.
(COncluded.)

John Adams, our second President, is familiar
to readers Of American history She was the
daughter Of the Rev. William Smith, of Wey-
mouth, Mass, and granddaughter of Colonel
Quincy, and was a lady of uncommon en-
dowments and excellent education. She was
married in 1854 to Mr.. Adams, who was then
Just commencing the practice of law This
union continued ffty-four years, the lady dying
in 1918. During the war of the revolution.
she displayed the most heroic spirit, although
living much of the time separated from her
husband. She accompanied him in his en-
bassy to England, after the peace of 1888, and
visited with him the continent of Europe
Her letters, which have been published, are
among the most interesting literary and his
torical memoirs of her times
While Mr. Adams was Vice President. his
wife passed much of her time with him, dur
ing the sessions of Congress at New York
and Philadelphia. When in New York, she
resided at Richmond Hill, afterwards the seat
of Colonel Burr, on the Hudson River-now
IN the Eighth Ward of this city. In Phila-
delphia she resided at the Bush Hill. on the
banks of the Schuylkill. On the accession of
Mr. Adams to the Presidency, the etiquette
and customs Of levees and other presidential
entertainments, which had been established bv
Mrs. Washington, were kept up by Mrs Ad-
ans. More than three years of the Presiden-
tial term were passed in Philadelphia, and
the last winter, as we have mentioned, in the
new city of Washington
There were several distinguished persons
visiting the United States in the last century;
and among them some of royal blood The
Duke OF Kent, son of George the Third, and
father to Queen Victoria, was here. He was
tall man, of light complexion. Louis Phil
iIpe-afterwards King of France-was here.
with his two brothers. The Duke of Orleans.
tLouls Phllllppe,) was a young man rather
above middle stature, with dark complexion.
rather sunken eyes, and of very dgnifed de-
pertinent. He kept aloof from the agitation
of politics. He visited President Adams and
General Washington, and was in the best so
'cIety In several cities. Sir Alexander Bar
Fing. afterwards Lord Aehbu-teI, was alsu III
this country. He was a man of middle stat
ure, Of light complexion and blue eyes. He
was considered very well informed, and of
pleasing manners. He married an American
lady, the daughter of Mr.. Senator Bingham,
who built and dwelt in the house afterwards
long known as the Mansion House Hotel, in
Philadelphia. GAS private residence" Mr..
Sullivan says, ''this was one of the most ele-
giant places Of hospitality at that time in the
beautiful city as it was called. Beautiful
however, should have been applied to what is
intellectual and social, in that day, no less
than to that which has not yielded to the un-
sparing hand Of time. Certainly the social
intercourse of Philadelphia, at the close of the
last century, was as delightful and interesting
as could be found on the globe Being the
seat of government and place successfully Of
Washington's and Adams abode, and Con
gress being then an object Of attraction to Wis
itors, and this city the attractive point for all
distinguished foreigners, the society of Phila-
delphia was well entitled to the praise of ele-
giant and refined" Besides the foreigners of
distinction we have mentioned, Talleyrand,
Volney, Brissot, De Warville, and many 9th
er Frenchmen visited the United States during
the French Revolution.
The foreign ministers then in Philadelphia,
made their houses places of agreeable resort.
They usually gave dinner once fortnight,
and an evening entertainment, commonly a
ball, once In the same space of time. Mr..
Llston was then the British minister He
was ScOtchman of common size, dark COM
Plexlon, and although not distinguished for
courtly manners, was much esteemed. He
wore wig, with curls at the sides, and had
an amlable, knowing countenance The
Spanish minister was the Marquis Yruio, af
forwards duke, and who made some figure
In Spanish affairs. He was a short. f1eshv
plan--he married lady of Philadelphia.
daughter of Judge Mexican, celebrated for her
beauty. Among the members of Congress.
were several gentlemen who were distin
gulshed In the fashionable world at that time.
Robert Morris, the great fnancier of the rev.
olutlon' was In the splendor Of prosperity in
1870, but he became embarrassed within three
years following, and his prosperity declined
Ills house In Philadelphia was at the corner
OF Sixth and Market streets. His home was
the abode Of noble, cordial hospitality. his
manners were gracious and simple. and free
from the formality which generally prevailed
He was very afable, and mingled in common
conversation, even with the young, ALTHOUGH
he was then about sixty-four years of age
He should be remembered and honored as
among the earliest, most persevering and
faithful worthless of the land.
About the close of the last century the forms
OF society underwent considerable change
1he levelling process of France began to be
1eit; powder for the hair began to be unfash-
lonaoie; loose dress or (pantaloons) for the
lower limbs was adopted; wearing the hair
tied was given up, and short hair became
common; fancy colored garments went ont of
use, and black, blue, or other dark colors wore
substituted; buckles disappeared. The stvle
of life had acquired more of elegance as means
had increased. Crowded parties in the even
ing were not as common as they are here at
present. There was more of sociability and