Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-07-16
AN INTERVIEW wIrH THE PRESIDENT.

N. + Willis writes as follows from Washing
ton to the last number Of the Home Joafn1t:--
"The President, Of course, is not to be spoken
with, except upon urgent business, in these days
but chance gave Inc very pleasant exchange Of
a few words with him last evening, Passing
across the interior hall Of the White House, to.
ward the drawing-roUln where Mrs. Lincoln was
to be at home to few friends without ceremony
| met the Chief Magistrate oil his way from the
tea room To his Office. Evidently thinking that
was in search Of himself, he stopped, shook
hands and looked iuquitiugly upon which III
| troduced myself apologi2cd for the interruption,
and stood back to let him pass But having thus
been made to know me, he took the occasion 10
obyatc embarrassment by few apt words and
ended by most courteously showing me the way
to Mrs Lincolh's receptiOn-rOom.
"Wth my four or Eve years Of court life i'll
Europe, had never seen that awkward matter
for "A high funGhonary an unexpected ami bfel
interview with stranger, more admirably and
winningly done. 1t was characteristics, Tor there
was no ceremony about il but, while it was full
OF tact toward me, it was quite as full Of simple
dignity for himself. Though not county manntr
it was what courtly manner tries to initiate
mrn and presence too absolutely natural and di
rect for Brummell to approve, but which woul'
have been exceedingly admired by Wellington
or Pamerston 1t is impossible to look in Mr.
without believing in him. lie looks ms honest n
he does iall--and he is taller than most people
WHILE in the absorbent 0penness of his iran
eyes, and the ready intelligence Of his feature
and expression, there is plenty of promise Of Gu
pability.
"My former acquaintance with the Whit
House was under the administration OF MIR. Vn
liuren, who was widoweT and, soul OF coui
tesy as lie was, think the country may lairl
| L.. i,n Il tier tVif
Indy-Presdent Mrs Lincoln is most uualiec
eddy happy herself, and she strives to make ever
one else so and the presence of genial scott
hnd most motherly and kindly woman, dispel
sing the inequalities with NIL her heart, gives
home character to the great White Palace,
which the public exceedingly reioices. She an
her charming kinswomen, Mrs. Grmsley, max
those Informal evenings, in the circular drawing
: room attractive to all strangers; and fayOr
calling-plaee as it is to the distinguished men N
sident at tho Capital, the conversation there
proyerbuly gay and agreeable The presidel
in fact is most popularity supported at home.
"Unti now, the Presidential mansion Inns a
ways seemed to me senderly seryed-the one
two shabby coated servants, who were 10 he sec
occasionally in the lonely corridors, not beii
enough for the proper stuteness Of the dwcllii
oil the Chief Magistrate. But it is surprisir
what an improvement is made by the multiply
ing of uniforms and sentiies The noble lgnt,
). seem for the first time suitably attended, and Il
thick sprinkling of officers, among the crowds
the halls and avenues, accord nightly with Il
architecture and associations, With the phyiI
Of the red coated Marine Band in the ground
the other aliernoon--the gay crowd of ladies al
soldirra, and the Presidents family in she hal
y, circle of the balcony-it was really difficult II
y to believe ones self in Vienna, the White Hous
:, for once, looking sumptuously Imperial"