New-York tribune., 1867-08-02
At TIE WHITE HOUSE.

bosse IN Dublin The foundations were lald IN i''4
When the Government removed here III l'V ~ uuu
the north wing Of the Capitol were the ony puO
ings completed Washington then consisted OF fesuar
hills covered with scrub oaks The ey hau pu' TWO
comfortable dwellings Tho only road upon tho site,
Now, Isrsovavo boasted two buildings Pennsylvanla-
ave was ,norass of alder bushes, without even path
cut through them. .f...s
Stout honest obstinate John Adams was the rst occu
nant The closing months Of his administration were
very unhappy. Was he not misunderstood ana angned
Had NOT Jefferson trumphed-and was not the country
ruined Fortunately the letters OF Mrs Adams are pre-
served That era did not believe in educating women Most
81 her feminine cotemporaries terate, butshe had
,uc cplt,re excellent capacity, and large experience
In Paris twenty years before, had che described with
minnie and amusing ingenuOusness the freedom and
dcmonstrativeness OF Dr. Franklins brilliant friend,
Madame Helvetus "IoWD," wrote the decorous Quincy
matron, that L highly dsgused, and never wish
for an acquaintance with any ladies OF this cast"
Coming here In November SOO her letters were femi-
nine and charmingfull OF those ries which the mas
culne eye overlOOks, the masculine pen oms. On the
way from Baltimore she found nothing but woods.
Here and there was u log cabin in the forest, with
single glas window but she Travelled miles without
seeing human being. Washington she desc cbes as
wilderness city" The vessel bearing her wardrobe had
not yet rived up the Potomac and, like the modern
Mrs. Wragge, she wanted her Things" She had not
even q looking glass. The barnlike White House was
unfinished, and had no bells She used the East Room
for drying linen after the family washing. Twelve
fires were to be kept up. Labor was high and very
scarce To great relief Department clerk procured
wagon, and hauled load OF iogs Tor her huee me-
places. ,. -, l.,
The British, during their brlef unceremoous cai IN
1874 burned the whole interior Of the Mansion That was
in Madsons day During Jaeksons occupancy the north
portico erected.
The White House grounds embrace 90 acres beautifully
shaded with grand old trees The gates to the front
rageway are of iron. In the rear pleasant path leads
out under archng, dropping willows. One mistress OF
the Mansion congratulated upon occupying IT, replied,
pithy: II is not happy dwelling. Always, President
by the iron gate often he goes out under the
weeping willows" Harrison, Taylor. Lncoln
Half dozen guards still here, "reminiscences OF the
war During the day they usually in.islbe. After
the gas is lighted the visitor finds them duty inside,
muskets and bayOnets BY day the doors stand
open At ght they closed, and callers must ring
Morning and afternoon devoted mainly to business
Calls OF ceremony pleasure are chiefly In tho evening
during Summer, while there are no receptions. The
President seldom escapes from his last visitor until an
hour before midnight Any one may see him by sonding
in his card aud waiting his turn.
Last year the White House was refurnshed through
out The ample East Room, 80 feet by 60 has less Grim
son than yore. II Is rieh tawdy and gaudy In resco
and gilt The small Green Room leading from It, Is In
better taste The oval Blue Room beyond where Pres
dent and mistress Of the Mansion stand for three mortal
hours during Winter receptions, tries the eye by its
brightness Tho Red Room stIn beyond, Is quiet and
pleasant The elaborate furniture In each apartment
mow covered summer corresponds In color with
the walls The ceilings very high for 50 old abuld
ne-I think "a fcet-and make the rooms pleasant and
airy.
There are few works Ofart-nll personal memouala In
the Waiting Room up stairs, bronze medallion OF In
coin and a small photograph Of Johnson. In the rch
haa
and highbaeked mahogany chairs, an old portrait OF
Washington. the main inner hail. plaster bust OF
Lincoln, by Jones, and marble heads Of Mllard Fillmore
and John Bright In the Entrance Hail. marble heads OF
Columbus and Amerigo Yespucii
BY far the interesting relic Ia sand stono slab
the tomb OF servius Tuus presented BY citizens OF
Rome, and dedicated 20 the memory Of Abraham lAH
coin Under recent resolution OF Congress II will be
moved 10 the Capitol IL is two feet long. by IS
inches wde and nine in thickness Three sides are
rough and spotted with the Of % centuries ON the
face ehiseed Latin inscription, briefly indicating It's
history, and wish that tho memories OF the two brave
defenders Of liberty" may be Joined and blended
The story OF seryius Tulhus" Is universally familiar
as writer's say after carefully refreshing their own mem
ories from the CyciopBdla lie that sixth King OF
Rome hunbly born. who introduced new Constitution
so favorable TO the people that his sonnaw tator"ard
Tarquin the Proud assassinaod him in the Interest OF
the mobiles Several former Roman legends are Of this
Immediate crd-thGt Iulllh uiOfc thiilot 'N'i h'
body Of her father servus whom her husband had muir
iered that Tarqun the assassin after succeeding 20 the
KINGDOM banished for the outrage on Lucreta COM
nited by one Of hs family that Bruius, finding hls own
Two sons conspiracy 10 roinstate the King. had them
b, headed without shedding tear or even turning his
face IrOm the horrid sight 0oyahle BuusD; that the
banshed TarquIn with Lord Porsona and his Etruscan
army marched back Rome 90 be checked nt the Vel
ow Tber and enable Maeaulay to tell ia the best Of
- How ssn Horaaa, ieyt the bhdS,
In the bfate days Of obi"
These are musty traditions But the Romans for many
did speak Of Good King seryius and his
Just laws two races, long ages hence, viii talk Of
braham Lincoln and his great Proclamation. And this
memorial Of antiquity from over the sea- called out by
historic parallel striking that 1t moved another people,
speaking another language is Of the most touching
tributes yet paid to the memory Of our great martyr
The spstars room, where the late President used to
receive visitors occupied by the Private secrcta-
ries Here, nearly five years ago. once had the good
fortune hear Mr. Lincoln talk with great freedom aud
ingenuousness for hours. His themes Mcclellan
Pope, Burnside Hooker Antietam, and Emancipation.
How long ago 1t seemsi
have not been in tho White House since untn last
night The Presidents room adjoining that Of the Pr
yate Secretaries, Is Of modest proportions and sobery
furnished containing lchairs, few maps, and small
table with writing materials Its windows look out pleas
aDtly toward the Potomac.
The friend who had invited me, barely introduced me
and then withdrew. had never ehancod TO SEQ Mr.
Johnson before. The first thing which impressed
that look Of wearncss Of being overborne with heavy
load which our Presidents always wear. How many
battle between exhaustion and poeness has been fought
in the White Houset
Still, Mr. johnson has great physical vitality. He Is
under six feet high, well built weighing probably l15
pounds His black eyes, together, very direct
and concontatye aud in earnest emphasizing.
.tfsv lie fttlf
His long straight hair begins to SILVER and to grow thin
at the sides Of The forehead His voice low aud pleas
ant and his manner though emphatic when he grows
warm with public affairs inIgcneral quiet and subducd
His does not look 80 large nor ls features quito so
pronouneed in his pictures OF he dressed