The New York herald., 1869-03-05

kept house and had friends for visitors were COM
PEELED In the name Of hospitality to give them some
kind OF shelter and great Of course were the make
shifts In this respect great the contrvances Of chairs
and lounges and great the fun enjoyed amid these
improvised accommodations. The billiard room OF
certain large hotel was turned into o sleeping
apartment and monopolized by over two score gay
and festive bachelors whose eyelids seldom closed
in sleep till the small hours OF the morning. All
over town 1t was the same way. Washington like
every other city, tries 10 make hay while the sun
Shines and the appearance Of the profitable lu-
minary being OF but very brief duration was ad-
ditional incentive to make the largest crop possi
BILE.
Dawning Of the Great Day.
The day OF great expectations to the country
opened at the national capital amid the hurry and
hustle Of eager sght-seers who had started from
their distant homes at the "blowlng OF the last
horn," and who were rushing excitediy through the
streets, carpet bag in hand, at the first blush OF
dawn, in search Of place to "rie up" or for even
an unoccupied "roostn There can be no exaggera-
ton in saying that Washington has not been SO
flooded with strangers since its foundations were
laid-not even during the grand army reviews-as it
is to-day. The interest felt in the installation Of the
little General is Of no ordinary character, and the
intense anxiety OF people from abroad to get view
Of the man who now presides over the destinies OF
this great nation is beyond all comparison since the
days when the lustrious Father OF his Country took
his seat IN the Presidential chair.
Rainy, Disngreeable Morning.
The preparations were Of o character for making
this day one to be remembered and talked about TO
the very last days Of those who witnessed its cere
monies. Everybody was anxious that nothing
should occur to mar the success OF the arrange
ments. Committees marshas, aids and their off,
asnv shat
nothing that could conduce to the perfect Of
the occasion should be neglected; but "man pro-
poses and God disposes," An agency beyond the
reach Of mortal control stepped In to blur the har-
mony and brilliancy Of the carefully developed pro-
gramme. 1t need not be told how much OF the spen-
dor ec1at oRthe outdoor pageants depends upon the
weather. Occasions Of this kind when tens Of thou
sands Of expectant people, filed to the brm with
anticpations Of the liveliest qualification send up
their petitions for balmy weather and find them
selves ggley9usly disappointed by decidedly i'll
tempered storm, only show us how impotent are the
prayers OF united multitude when offered up in be-
half OF selfndulgence. Morning broke gloomy, wet
and dreary. The heavens were obscured by dull
leaden pail, the atmosphere damp and chilly and
the dull. monotonous pattering of the rain greeted
the ears Of those who awoke from their slumbers
with thoughts bent on the days proceedings AS
the early morning hours wore on and struggling in
divduals gaudily uniformed or glittering with re-
gala made their way towards the designated rem
devious it seemed as II they were struggling, like
Mark Tapley, to be jolly under adverse circum-
stances TO be sure the drizzling rain dimmed the
lustre Of their polished decorations soaked through
the gay banners and flags and caused them 10
droop most piteousy, crept into the brazen musical
instruments and gave them slight asthmathic
weeze stirred up the mud and soiled this polished
tops of shining boots and labored with spteful zeal
in every possible way to dampen the hiarty Of the
paraders and mar the spendor of their elaborate
decorations. Yet heroic cheerfuness OF demeanor
generally prevailed. Everybody seemed firmly con-
vnced that this was On occasion which could not
be postponed on account Of the weather.
The Procession Forming.
About ten O'Clock the different organizations, mill
tary ana civic, made their way towards Lafayette
square, around which they were to form, and within
the space OF twenty minutes, SO prompt were the
marshals and commanding officers to the moment
Of assembling that the streets surrounding Presi-
dents square were alive with hurrying crowds. At
every opening to the view appeared some brilliant
body Of men, bristing with glittering steel or
gorgeous with haunting nags and banners. The
strains OF martial music struck upon the ear on
every side. and the rushing Of aids and orderies,
the cadenced tramp OF troops, the rumbling OF bat
teries or artillery the shril blasts OF trumpets and
bugles the ringing bells OF hose carriages and the
frantic surging Of the eager multitude, formed
combination OF scenes and sounds such as linger
long In the memory.
Movements of General Grant in the Morning.
While these organizations are marching and coun-
termarching into position we Will 60 back to an
earlier hour In the morning and look in upon the
modest little chief upon whose account oil this pomp
md paU Ia Tha praSi lent oil
this morning at his usual hour enjoyed calm and
agreeable conversation with his numerous guests
the time before the mautlnal repast, took his break
fast and smoked his first cigar. No visitor, friendly
or oficious, called to consume his valuable time.
The only person present not guest In the Generals
house was Major General John A. Rawlins, Grants
best and most confidential friend. About nine
O'Clock the General retired to dress. This ceremony
always indiferently performed by the General was
on this occasion more carefully executed. Never
theless, 1t was finished up in an Incredible short
space OF time, and the new President appeared, pre-
senting neater and glossier exterior than he was
ever known to make before. His suit was entirely
new, and consisted OF black silk hat, black
frock coat, vest and pantaloons, highly polished
boots, black silk necktie and corn.colored Kid
gloves. Not single ornament Of jewery appeared
about his person. not even gold shirt buttons. His
shirt bosom was fautlessly white and literally dis
played but nothing gttered upon 1t brighter than
agate buttons.
Departure Of the President Elect from His
Residence.
At half-past nine he sailed forth, accompanied by
General Rawlings, and although merry party OF
ladies' gentlemen and children clustered at the door
to bid him "God speed,n no one was observed to
throw after him the lucky old shoe. The General
and his Chief OF stan stepped into Grants own
carriage, new park phaton, drawn by a pair OF
splendid bays. and driven BY the sprucest OF negro
PhGbuses. After having taken his seat and pufYed
vigorously at his cigar TO keep It
lighted, the General drew over his knees
q white fox skin. This skin has q history, which
may as well be related here. It was presented to
President Grant, some time ago. by Mrs. McCooK.
the wife OF +. M. McCook, Minister TO the Sandwich
Islands, who had received several Of them from