The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1859-10-08

destial Mansion IN Philsdelphis was the
property Of Robert Morris, and had been
the headquarters Of Sir William Howe
during the occupation Of Philadelphia by
the British army in l777-7S. The situ.
alton was eligible, being in an airy aud
pleasant part Of the city, with consid-
cradle area or open space adjoining it,
aud contiguous TO the pahac buildings.-
Considerable additions ard improvements
were made to the originsl building, with
view to its accommodation Of the Pres
ident's household, still its rooms were
small, and the whole establishment but
indiffcrsn.ly fitted for ths purposes re-
quired. -....- .-... ~.
The equipagcs Of the Presiden. were
well provided for, the stabling Of twelve
horses being extensive asA oommodious,
aud the coach houses largs and convcn-
lent.
Washinstou's unmitjga6sd, unsiring
employment and labor made Il necessary
that be should have some mode of public
reception for the many visitors VINO were
continually seeking opportunities of pay.
ing their respects and presenting their
letters Of introduction; hence the
PRESIDENTS LEvEE
on Tuesdays, commencing at 3 and end
ing at 4 clock. At these receptions
there was no shaking Of hands, the Chief
receiving his visitors as President Of the
United States, and not as Gen. Washing
ton. The foreign Ministers attended the
levce in full costume, aud often intro,
duced persons Of distinction from their
respective countries. All strangers of
distinction embraced the opportunity Of
the lcvee to pay their respects to the Chief
Magistrate. The President was plainly
but handsomely dressed, his hair in full
powder, aud wearing dress sword. He
was attended by his principal Secretary,
Mr. Lear, Major Jackson, and the other
gentleman Of his family. He addressed
few words of courtesy to the visitors as
they were presented. The company then
formed in groups for conversation, and on
the stroke of 4 o'clock retired, the levee
being at an end.
THE DRAWING ROOM.
When Mrs. Washington received CON-
pany it was on Friday, commencing about
! aud ending about 10 o'clock. Two
rooms were thrown open. The furniture
that was thought handsome in those days
would be considered barely decent in mod
ern times. The principal ornament was
a glass chandelier in the largest room,
burning wax lights. The chair Of the
lady of the President was plain arm
chair, lined with green morocco leather.
The ladies' visiting the drawing. room
were always attended BY gentlemen. 1t
was not the habit for very young girls to
be present at the drawing room, but only
those of the age when it is proper for Ia
dies to go into company. Upon the la
dies being introduced they werc seated,
aud the President, who always attended
the drawing room, passed around the cir
Gle, paying his respects to each in success
sion, and it was common remark among
the chit.ch Of the drawing-room tbat
the Chief was no inconsiderable judge of
female beauty, since he was observed to
tarry longer than usual when paying his
mpliments to Miss Sophia Chew,
charming belle Of Philadelphia in that
time.
Refreshments were handed around by
servants 10 livery, and about that period
first appeared the luxury, now SO univer-
sal, of ice-cream. Introductions to emi-
nent personages and conversation formed
the entertainments of the drawing-room.
Cards we're altogether unknown.
But the leading and most imposing
feature of the drawing room was the men
of mark, the "Revolutionaries," both civil
aud military, who we're to be seen there.
The old officers delighted to pay their re-
spects to the wife Of Washington, and to
call up the "reminiscences of the headquar-
ters and Of tho stimes that tried mems
souls" These glorious old chevaIiers
were the greatest beaux Of the age, and
tho rcccoIection Of their gallant achieve
meu.s, together with their elegant man
ners, made them acceptable to the ladies
everywhere. They formed the elite Of
the drawing room. Gen. Wayne, the re-
nowncd "Mad Anthony" with his aids.
de. e.camp, Lewis aud De Butts, frequently
attended Mifflin, Walter Stewart, Col.
Hartley, and many others. Indeed there
was often to be met with at the mansion
of the First President an assemblage Of
intellect aud honor, public virtue aud pri-
vate worth, exalted merit aud illustrious
services, such as the world will never see
again.
Among tho foreign officers Of distinc-
tion, visitors Of the drawing room, were
the Vicomte de Noailles, Of the French,
and Major Beckwith, Of the British
armies.
There was no etiquette in the drawing
room: simplicity with dignity prevailed
There was always affability, with the po-
lite aud elegant manners Of that distin
guished age. One privilege alone existed
The seat next tho Presidents lady was
always occupied by Mrs. Robert Morris.
..".is was no matter of arrangement, but
-. led to the excellent lady by CON-
'a"n m con.en, In those infant days of
the Republic a er.-.t mans merits were
pretty generally gradua,..n oy .ne es,'ma,
ton in which he was held by ne De'oveu
Chief. Now, it was perfectly we'll -nown
in sucient days that, Of our Revolutionary
worthless, none-no, not one vas nearer
and dearcr TO the heart Of the Chief than
Robert Morris. His invaluable services
to the cau.e Of American Independence,
at periods when We had neither coin in
our treasury nor credit TO obtain one,
were freshly remembered in the olden
time. aud claimed for the fnsncier Of the
Revolution the title of Public Benefactor.
Such was the Republican Court in the
days Of Washington. Digni6ed in its
simplicity, imposing from the granduer
of its associations, it shed luster upon
that renowned era Of our carly history,
when Amerioa, having oonsummsted Ter