Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-07-14

in capacious building, then recently erected
by Mr.. Macomb, in Broadway; the same
house that was known in our time as Bunk
er's Hotel; but it is now replaced by spacious
stores.
| In Philadelphia, the house occupied by
President Washington, was situated on the
south side of Chesnut street, just below Sixth
street. The place of reception, says Mr.. Sui
the rear, twenty-five or thirty feet in length,
with circular end projecting into the gar
den. Mrs. Washington received her visitors
in the two rooms on the second floor. Wash
ington devoted one hour every other Tuesday,
from three to four in the afternoon, to receive
the visits Of citizens and strangers. He un-
derstood himself to be visited as the President
of the United States, and not on his own ac-
count. He was not to be seen by anybody
and everybody, but required that every one
who came should be introduced by his secre-
tary, or some gentleman whom he knew him
self. At three o'clock the visitor was con-
Quoted to the reception room, from which all
seats had been removed for the time. Wash
ington always stood in front of the fireplace,
with his face towards the door of the entrance.
The visitor was conducted to him, and he re-
quired to have the name so distinctly pro-
nOunced that he could hear it. He had the
very uncommon faculty of associating the
mans name and personal appearance SO dura-
bly, in his memory, as to be able to call any
one by name who made him second visit
He received his visitors with dignifed bow,
while his hands were so disposed of, as to in
dicate that the salutation was not to be ac-
companied with shaking hands. This cere-
money never occurred in these visits, even
with his most near friends, that no distinction
might be made. As visitors came in they
formed a circle round the room. At quar-
ter past three the door was closed, and the
circle was formed for the day. He then be-
gan on the right and spoke to each visitor,
calling him by name, and exchanging a few
words with him. When he had completed
his circuit, he resumed his first position, and
the visitors approached him in succession,
bowed and retired. BY four the ceremony
was over. The dress of the President on
these occasions, was black velvet coat and
breeches, his hair in full dress, powdered and
gathered behind in silk bag; yellow gloves,
and holding cooked hat, with cockade on
it, and the edges adorned with black feather
about inch deep. He wore knee and shoe
buckles, and a long sword, with finely
wrought and polished steel hilt; the coat worn
over the blade. The scabbard was white pol
ished leather.
On the evenings when Mrs. Washington
received visitors, he did not consider himself
as visited. He was then as a private gentle
man, dressed usually in some fancy-colored
coat and wastcoat, and black small-clothes-
| He had then neither hat no sword, and moved
about among the company, mixing in CONVEX
sation. He had once a fortnight an official
dinner, and select company on other days. 1t
was the usage for all persons in good society,
to attend Mrs. Washington's levee every Fri
day evening. The young ladies used to
throng around him, and engage him in con-
versation. There were some of the bellies of
that day, who imagined themselves to be IA
vorites with him. One would suppose that a
gentleman or gallant soldier, if he could ever
laugh or dress his countenance in smiles,
would do SO when surrounded by young and
admiring beauties. But this was never So
the countenance of Washington never softened
nor changed its habituaI gravity. One who
had lived always in his family, said that his
manner in public life and in retirement was al
ways the same. When he lived in Phlade-
phia, as President, he rose at four in the morn
ing and the general rule Of his house was,
that the fires should be covered and the lights
extinguished at ten o'clock.
Mrs. Adams, while her husband was attend
ing the session of Congress at Philadelphia, as
Vice President, writes to her daughter respect
ing one Of the Presidents levees, under date
of December Goth, 1870, as follows =
son Friday evening last, went with
Charles to the drawing room, being the first Of
my appearance in public. The room became
full before left it and the circle very brilliant
How could il be otherwise when the dazzling
Mrs. Bingham and her beautiful sisters were
there; the Mrs. Allen, and constellation of
beauties. Mrs. Bingham has certainly given
laws to the ladies here in fashion and elegance;
their manner and appearance are superior TO
what have seen. Mrs. Powell, Join the
general voice in pronouncing very interest
| ing woman. She is aunt 10 Mrs. Bingham,
and is one Of the ladies you would be pleased
with. She looks turned Of fifty, is polite and
fluent as you please, motherly and friendly"
Mrs. Washington was three months young
er than the President, and was therefore, in
her ffiy-seventh year when he was elected TO
the Presidency, and sixty-fve when he re-
tired. Her maiden name was Martha Dan
dridge; and at the time Of her marriage with
Washington in 1859, she was the widow of
Daniel Parke Custis, who left her an estate of
more than one hundred thousand dollars. By
him she was the mother of a son and daughter,
the former six years old, and the latter four. at
the time of her second marriage. Distin-
gushed alike for her beauty, accomplishments
and wealth, Mrs. Washington was possessed
| also of those qualities which adOrn the female