Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-11-30
RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 81, 1866.
Frens our special Warrington Cor
respondent.
WASHINGTON, D. O. Nov. le, 1856

p0uGh WV AhAANS 'N~N
itol. 10 stands on the south side oil the
avenue, at some distance from It, and Is
approached by circular driveway and
foot paths, having in front fine lawn
and, on the south side, extensive grounds
comprising in all about twenty acres
The house is 40 feet in length and 80
feet deep and is two stories IN height.
1t is built of stone quarried at Acquia
Creek whichs..s painted to preserve it
nom crumbling. Across the avenue
and directly in front OF the house, Is
Lafayette square which is beautifully
ornamented with shrubbery and flow
ers and is a fashionable resort. In this
square Is placed o fine equestrian statue
OF General Jacksonville work Of Clark
Mills OF this city. The grounds south
Of the mansion are very beautiful,
adorned with trees and flowers and COM
mand a fine prospect of the Potomac.
During the summer months the Marine
Band plays in these grounds every sat
urday evening and large eoncourse OF
citizens are there always in attendance.
In the garden near the mansion is
large green house filed with rare and
beautiful exotics.
Besides large hall, 40 by so feet, and
the east room which is so feet long and
40 feet wide, there are three other spa
cious rooms thrown open on occasions
of ceremony. At the Presidents levees,
any citizen is welcome without invita-
ton, TO pay his respects to the Chief
Magistrate Of the nation. In the time
of General Washington the number in
attendance at levees was more restricted,
and each visitor was introduced to the
President by one Of his Secretaries. AT
ter the presentations were made, a cir
Gle was formed and the President passed
around, addressing each one W name
and conyersing with him moment, and
then the ceremony was over. The Gus
tom now is for the company TO pass
singly before the President, shake his
hand, and then pass along into the east
" hSk OlC uuNG dAI oil
rived and have paid their respects to
the President, he offers his arm to some
lady and promenades the room. The
Marine Band is always in attendance
and delightful music, the presence Of
gentlemen and ladies of distinction and
especially of distinguished officers Of
the army and navy in their brilliant
uniforms, render Ghase gatherings attrac-
tive.
The President gives frequent pubno
dinners TO which the Foreign Ambassa-
doris and members Of Congress and gen
tlemen of distinction from abroad are
invited. These entertainments were
less frequent during the presidency OF
Mr.. Lincoln than during that OF his
predecessor. The custom was estab
lshed oy General Washington who
maintained far more of stately ceremo
nv than we see now. 1t was Away
continued until the mighty cares ant
anxieties caused by the late rebellion
made it necessary to depart from II
The official duties of the President ar
at all times burdensome. He is, 1t
true. aided by his private secretaries VIII
omen and arrange his letters and
whom ne dictates his replies. Eve
when the country is peaceful and our n
lations to foreign powers are agreeabl
there is daily record Of application
for Office or for promotions or for polit
cal advice; the Secretary Of State COM
over to read to him his foreign di
patches and to receive his directions
regard to them; the heads Of other d
partmsnts consult with him on oth
affairs; and numerous persons from a
parts Of the country visit him daily {
matters Of business. What then mu
have been the pressure on Mr.. Linco
during the four years OF war! No pt
SON can recall the condition Of the cou
try az the time Of his accession to Off
and tns difficulties which lay in the W;
of suppressing the rebellion witho
seeing the load Of care and ankle
which he always bore and which, b
for the buoyancy of his nature and /
love Of fun, would have crushed hi
Twice in each week the Cabinet NEE
at his house, and hours are often spe
in grave and anxious deliberate
During the most critical periods of t
war. Mr.. Lincoln was accustomed
spend part of each night at the W
Department where the telegraph
formed him of our successes or revers
It is not too much to say that no III
81 great nation in any emergency
Criticalstate of its affairs, ever persC
afly contributed so much to extrioatt
from its perils, and history will rec'
his name among those who by patti
but heroic endeavor and achievemt
are the benefactors Of their race.
During the summer months,
White House is regarded as auunhealt
residence. The grounds south Of
mansion extending a considerable 6
lance 10 the river are low and mars