The Portland daily press., 1863-12-07
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Monday Morning, December I, 1863.


'Perley' gives the following description of
the Presidents daily lfe:--
Mr.. Lincoln is an early riser, aud he thus is
able to devote two or three hours each morn
ing to his vouminous correspondents, besides
glancing at city paper. Al nine he break
iasts-tEen walks over to the War Office TO
read such war kilograms as they give him foe
casionally some are withheldD, aud TO have a
chat with General Halleck on the military
situation, in which he takes a great interest.
Returning TO the White House. he goes
through with his mornings mail, in company
with private secretary. Some letters are
endorsed and sent TO the Departments-other
are entrusted TO the Secretary, who makes a
minute of the reply which he is 10 make-aud
Others the President retains, that he may an
swer them himselG--Eyery letter receives at
tention, and all which are entitled to reply
receive one, no matter how they are worded,
or how inelegant the chirography may be-
Tuesdays and Fridays are Cabinet DAYS.
but no other days visitors at the White House
are requested to wait in the ante-chamber
and send IN their cards. Sometimes, before
the President has finished reading his mail
Louis will have handful of pastcboard, and
from the cards laid before him Mr.. Lincoln
has ushered in, giving precedence to acquain-
tances. Three or four hours do they pour in,
in rapid succession, niue out of ten asking
offices. and patiently does the President listen
to their applications. Care and anxiety have
furrowed his rather lomely features, yet occa-
sionally he is reminded Of an anecdote," and
good-humored glances beam from his clear,
gray eyes, while his ringing laugh shows that
he Is not used up" yet. The simple and nat
ural manner in which lie delivers his thoughts
makes him appear to those visiting him like
an earnest, adectionate friend. He makes
little parade of his science, aud rarely indulges
in speculative propositions, but states his ideas
in plain Anglo-Saxon, illuminated by many
lively images aud pleasing illusions, which
seem TO flow as ii in obedience TO rcsistless
Impulse of his nature Some newspaper ad-
mirer attempts to deny that the President
tells stories. Why 1t is rarely that any one is
in his company for fifteen minutes without
hearing good tale, appropriate to the sub
ject talked about. Many a METAPHYSICAL argu-
ment does he demolish by simply telling an
anecdote, which exactlyoyertures the verbal
structure.
About o'clock the President declines see
ing any more company, and often accompanies
his wife in her carriage, TO take 4 drive. He
Is fond OF horseback exercise, and when pass
ing the summer at the Soldiers Home used
generally TO go TO and fro IN the saddle.
The President dimes at 6, aud it is rare that
some personal friends do not grace the round
dining table, where he throws off the cares of
Office, and reminds those who have been in
Kentucky OF the old-sehool gentleman who
used TO dispense generous hospitality there
From the dinner table the party retire 10 the
crimson drawing room, where coffee Is served,
and where the President passes the evening,
unless dignitqry has special interview.
Such, am informed is the almost unvarying
daily life OF Abraham Lincoln, whose admins
tration will rank next IN Importance to that
oil Washington in our national annals.