The Placer herald., 1857-01-10
Mr.. Buchanan at Home.

the New York Times, "a Fremont paper)
Wheatland, or rather Mr.. Buchanan's
house, lies about mile from Lancaster
Those who remember the Hermitage, Ash
land and Marshfed are not surprised, on ap
preaching it, to find that the great Demo
cratic Statesman has selected for his retreat
spot so quiet and so resplendent with na;u
raj loveiness, that it would appear next TO
impossible for the noise and hustle of the
world to penetrate there. was reminded
by it of rich dwelling in the midst of a
highly cultivated oak opening, which | once
saw in the Far West Fragrance filled the
atmosphere, and the silence was unbroken,
excepting by the gently rustling leaves as
the trees We're agitated by the wind The
thick foliage prevents close scrutiny of
Mr. Buchanan's dwelling until after advanc
ing through the gate, some distance flom
the road. 1t is wide two story, double
brick house, painted red, with wings, a broad,
pleasant entrance and wide hail. at the eX
tremitv of which latter passage leads into
the left wing, which is occupied by Mr.. Bu-
chanan as study. Here he receives the
greater part Of his visitors. A negro servant
ushered lis into his room and informed us
that "Mr. buchanan would be with us in a
few minues.' 1t seems he had lady callers
whose voices from the drawing room quite
annhilated the idea of "bacleor' resi-
dence Meanwhile we looked around; and,
as two sides of the plain but comfortable
apartment were partially occupied by book
cases, endeavored to pick up some notion of
the probable literary taste of the owner.
e a.. II
religious character Odd numbers of the
Presbyterian law strewed about, aud "put-
ting that and that together" we came to the
conclusion that Mr.. Buchanan belonged to
that said and respectable denomination. A
table in the centre of the room was covered
with pamphlets, and in various parts Of it
were easy chairs not too luxurious to labor
in covered with green morocco. Various
stumps of cigars around the fire place inoi-
Gated addiction to the weed, and my COM
panion and myself were engaged in the pro-
liabilities respecting the past proprietorship
of qleid on the hearth, when quick, heavy
tread in the hall AIRED us to put on our
most demure and innocent looks, as we were
about to see the next President of the United
States.
The first remark of stranger concerning
Mr.. buchanan, would naturally be "What
fine old English gentleman" had been
introduced to him many years AGO at Gads-
bys Hotel in Washington; but the interview
then was of short duration. This time had
possession Of him for several hours. One of
the first remarks he made, elected by the
presentation of a New York carcature, was,
that the portraits which had been made of
him during the canvass We're mostly all carl
catures: that those who had not seen him
must imagine him, from his elligies to be as
crum as an orge, whereas he had scarcely
ever known an uncheertul moment in his
life" In fact, in spite OF the weight of re-
sponsibiity lie evidently feels, his counte
nance is the mirror Of happy thoughts, and
II benevolent disposition. lie looks hale,
temperate man Of sixty. of massive intellect,
hard undaunted energy; but with caution as
the predominant trait Of his moral and intel
lecual character. judged him to be one
of those natural impetuous, daring characters
who, by practical experience of the folly of
yielding to impulse, has gradually acquired
the habit of waiting for 'sober second
thoughts" to check and govern his every ac-
ton His countenance shows this. Occa-
sonally his face will Tighten up, both of his
large blue eyes will disend, and listeners
are compelled to sink their gaze before his
profound, scrutinizing look. Suddenly, how
ever, one Of his eyes half-closes, his head
slightly inclnes towards one side, and every
word appears to be weighed in the the bal
ance before it is uttered. You always find
that YOU are conversing with an emphatically
great man, and his unpretending, unostenta-
tious simplicity adds rather than detracs
from this impression, while his unaffected
aimability and hospitality wins your heart,
even where the Judgment has resolved to
make resistance am a Republican and he
is a Democrat; but pay him this willing
tribute, that he approaches as nearly to my
ideal of a gentleman Of the old school as any
one it has ever been my good fortune to
meet.
Mr.. Buchanan was kind enough to make
me acquainted with his niece, the presiding
grace of his fair domains: and but that the
sincorcst homage to beauty, innocence, and
every virtue and charm, which can adorn
high minded and intellectual young lady, is
respectful silence, | would endeavor to show
how grossly they have erred who have rldl-
culed, as a bachelor establishment, the fn-
tllre domestic arrangements of the White
House.
NEWSPAPER pnRsoNALIrY.-Th bombay
Iasofto tIuS defines the prODer use OF per