The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-10-28


LANCASTER. Pa, Sept. %, ISIS.
Our distinguished President has been
rusticating, as the papers tell us, for few
days at his quiet home in Lancaster. and we
must needs embrace the opportunity OF pay
ing him our respects. So on Monday
morning, two of us walked out, about
mile from the city, to his residence. The
house, which is a short distance from the
public highway, does ,ot expose itself to
view until you approach very near, A
sloping lawn. enclosed 10y n plain fence, and
nearly covered with forest trees, lies in front.
The dwelling is Of brick. two stories high,
with colonnade portico, iianked by u wing
on each side, OF the same height and mate
rials. One OF these buildings contains the
library, the other is used for domestic pur-
poses.
Mr. Buchanan's rtinue at Whcatland
consists of housekecper, Il female servant,
and little boy the latter came to the door
TO answer our call, and i'll moment, before
We had time 10 enter. the President himself
came out, and cordially greeting us con.
Quoted us TO the parlor. lie at once entered
into Tree conversation. which he commenced
by asking us 10 the state OF religion in the
several places Of our residence. Then fol-
lowed minute account Of that peculiar in.
clinaton of his head, which has often been
noticed by those who have attempted TO de-
scribe him. The substance of the account
is, that his eyes are not mates, one being
short, the ottcr iong.s'ghfed. This, he thinks,
was always the condition of his eyes. aud oc-
casioned, early in life, that lateral curvature
of his neck, which is a noticeable feature Of
his portly physique.
Nothing about this truly great man is
more wonderful than the ease and simplicity
of his manners In private life. lie throws
of all reserve and makes his visitor feel
quite at home in his presence. While we
sat there, u rough laboring man walked in
without coat, and salutcd the President,
Good morning. Sir" and handed him
some newspapers. The " rich brogue be.
traycd the mans nationality. Mr.. B. re-
piled with calm SMILE a" Thank you" took
the papers and the man left.
A more pleasing instance of this freedom
from ostentation and pride was his manner
at church on the preceding Sabbath. lie
walked from his residence, which must be
two miles, ~ the church is in the opposite
suburb Of Lancaster, and came little AZ
ter the service began. His feet were COW
cred with dust. and the perspirstion wins
standing on his forehead. No stir was made
in the congregation he quietly entered his
own pew, and engaged in silent devotion. A
psalm.book was handed 10 him. ard he al
once participated in the song Of praise. lie
seemed greatly interested in the sermon,
which was indeed worthy the attention of
kings and all others in authority, Us well as
OF all under authority IL was based on the
passage, " Almost thou pcrsuadest me to be
a Christian" and besides possessing extraor.
diIary merit ~ composition, was delivered
with eloquepce aud power.
After church the President walked de-
voutly and entirely unattended, through the
streets of Lancaster. What stranger, look
ing upon tina, solitary pedestrian, apparently
oblvious Of self, and not expecting admira-
ton, could have imagined that be was the
Chief Magistrate Of this mighty nation
Whatever Judgment il formed OF Mr.. Bu.
chanan's public policy or of his political
opinions. there can be no question az 10 his
purity OF character, the humility of bis de-
pertinent, and the sincerity OF his religious
professions Long md pleasantly will We
remember the 10Th day Of September, as
the day spent with the sage Of Wheatland,
Of bis own home. VISITOR