Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-11-23
RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 81, 1866.
FxesA our special Washington Cor
respondent.
WASHINGTON, D. O., Nov. 10, 1855


itol. ID stands on the south side OF the
avenue, at some distance from it, and is
approached by circular driveway and
foot paths, having in front a 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
Greek which.-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 fashionable resort. In this
square is placed 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 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 a
large green house filled 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, 70 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, cir
Gle was formed and the President passed
around, addressing each one by 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
room. When the visitors have all ar
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 thase gatherings attrac-
tive, 1
The President gives frequent pubnu
dinnors 30 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-
lished oy General Washington who
maintained far more Of stately ceremo-
ny than we see now. 1t was always
continued until the mighty cares and
anxieties caused by the late rebellion
made it necessary to depart from it.
The official duties of the President are
at all times burdensome. He is, it is
true, aided by his private secretaries who
open and arrange his letters and to
whom ne dictates his replies. Even
when the country is peaceful and our re-
lations to foreign powers are agreeable,
there is daily record OF applications
for Office or for promotions or for politi-
cal advice; the Secretary OF State comes
over to read to him his foreign dis
patches and to receive his directions in
regard to them; the heads Of other de-
partmsnts consult with him on 6th6r
affairs; and numerous persons from all
parts OF the country visit him daily, on
matters OF business. What then must
have been the pressure on Mr.. Lincoln
during the four years OF war! No per-
son can recall the condition Of the coun-
try at the time Of his accession to Office
and the difficulties which lay in the way
OF suppressing the rebellion without
seeing the load Of care and anxiety
which he always bore and which, but
for the buoyancy of his nature and his
love OF fun, would have crushed him.
Twice in each week the Cabinet meets
ut his house, and hours are often spent
in grave and anxious deliberation,
During the most critical periods of the
war, Mr.. Lincoln was accustomed to
spend a part Of each night at the War
Department where the telegraph in
formed him of our successes or reverses.
Il is not too much to say that no ruler
df o great nation in any emergency or
criticalstate of its affairs, ever person
afy contributed so much to extricate it
from its perils, and history will record
bis narns among those who by patient
but heroic endeavor and achievement
are the benefactors OF their race.
During the summer months, the
White House is regarded as aDunhealtby
residence. The grounds south OF the
mansiop extending a considerable dis.
lance to the river, are low and msrshy.
Malariars and intermittent fevers pre-