Smyrna times., 1858-11-04
SELECT ARTICLES.
TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT.

It's, says the Home Journal, both an instruc
tive and amusing text for discussion upon tn
hest laws of polite manners for nation, to con
siler
H,w Americans "go to Court"
And ON this subject there is some instructive
information gwen in a letter from Washington
10 the Boston Courier. The writer says very
truly that none but gctual residents of Wash
ington have any idea of the exceeding simpl
city-the real democracy-whicli marks the
social condition of the Powers that rule this
great empire. He then adds:
"But the greatest contrast between the
White House aud the royal palaces Of Europe,
is exhibited in the fact that ours is the people 5
house, being open at all times to ell grades Of
the great constituency and the occupant there
Of who stands for the time being in place Of the
people, being accessible at all times to any even
the humblest Of the soveregns, without the
formality of a presentation or the etiquette of
court dress. The White House is public in all
most literal sense; and the President, whose
private residence it is nomlnally, can hardly be
said to have any privacy or retirement within
lis walls. Curiosity leads every stranger who
visits the city, 10 see at least the east room
the house is partially open at ali hours; the
grounds are a common promenade; and the
President has no hours of respite from the bur-
densome cares of State, which are not liable TO
be trespassed upon.
None but residents Of Washington, or those
who are familiar with the life of public men
here, have any idea OF the exceeding simplicity
the real deInocracy-whch marks the social
cond rtion of the powers that rule this great en-
pire, and regulates their intercourse with the |
sovereign people"
He goes on to describe Gn contrast with the
Levees of Sovereigns in Europe) the
Receptions at the White House:
"These receptions, or levees, as they are
commonly but improperly called, are held once
week, or rather twice each tcrtn9ht-once
in the evening aud once at noon; the latter be.
ing more especially ladies' reception, at pre-
sent held by Miss Lane, who represents the
female head of the Presidential family. Un-
fortunate in being bachelor, cur worthy chief
magistrate is particularly happy in having a
niece so entirely competent, III respect To per-
sOnal attractiveness and ease aud elegance Of
manners, to grace his household. hh these
receptions are free TO al decent-lOoklng people.
Nor is there much discrimination exercised in
regard 10 looks, in granting admission, while
many are permitted to enter whose uncOuth
manners hardly beft even such prOmIscuous
assemblage. 1t is difficult to conceive of So
cal gathering of more thoroughly miscel-
laneous description; aud the contrasts OF ;aa-
racter are rendered more striking by the ad-
mixture of various branches Of nobility and
sprigs of sristocracy from almost every other
portion of the world. From the immediate rel
presentatiyes of the proud courts OF the other
hemisphere, and the highest in station and
wealth and honor in our own country, 10 the {
humblest and most menlal Of the free people
the whole humanity of the world is present by
proxy at a Presidents reception. Every one
takes the President by the hand with the same
freedom-lhere is no higher aud no lower place
ia the assemblage; and if there be any lack OF :
fraternity. it is more than compensated by the
perfect law Of liberty and equllliy which pre-
yaiIs
"The rontine of reception is something
like this: The front door Of the White House {
being thrown open to all whose inclination leads
them 10 enter, visitors pass without introduce
ton or ceremony into the large hall or entry,
where the masculine portion deposit their hats
and overcoats ut the risk, or in the hope, as the
case may be, of exchanging them for articles
of worse or better quality, when they retire.
There are those who supply themselves perma-
neEtly with good coat and hat, by this cheap
process, while there are others who are COM
Pelled to get a new supply by more regular {
and expensive mode, every time they do the
President the honor of joining in the crowd of
one of his receptions. Ladies pass from the
hall into a drawing-room, where they may de- :
posit their outer garments, with greater GER
tainty, 1t is presumed, of their safe-keePing, .
and where they have an opportunity, If desired,
Of re-arrangin9 their toilette From the hall
and drawiDg-room visitors pass across long
and wide hall, which extends fIom one wing OF
the mansion to the other, and leads directly by
large double door to the east room, and enter
O parlor which is furnished somewhat gaudily
with grand piano, and several lnlald and high
iy ornamental pieces Of furniture, etc. From
Ghence the passage is into the recepton-room,
or bue.room, as It is familiarly called, from the
tact that it is finished and furnished entirely in
blue. Here the President is stationed as is also
his niece, Miss Lane, The marshal OF the dis {
trict being usually in attendance to introduce ,
the visitors, who shake hands with the Presl-
dent say a complimentary word or not, as they
please, or as they can find freedom and grace OF
aterance, and then pass on TO make way lor
the throng which is pressing behind. MISS
Lane is spared the contact OF all The nara
hands, but the President submits to an lndls-
erIminate shaking. till one would think his arm
would sink under the inhicIion. He shakes and
Is shaken for two hours-from eight TO ten
when merciful custom permits him to retire
from the gathering 10 seek rePOse in the prIva-
ey OF bis own room."
There is one paragraph. too, on
The way Officials Live.
uS,umething ought tn he said bV way of fur.