The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1869-12-30
IDAHO WORLD.
COURT CIRCLES OF THE REPUBLIC.
Recollections OF Distinguished Americans OF a
Former Generation.

Fermer Generatlou'
A New York exchange makes the following
EXCERPTS from advance sheets of Mrs, Eilet's
new book. entitled "The Court Circles OF the
Republic" She says in her preface:
"Lord Napier remarked to distinguished
LADY, in Washington that a book descriptive
of society in the National Capital ought to be
written: and that a faithful record would give
n better idea of the spirit and character of the
neriod than any history Except of the earll-
est Republican Court" no attempt has been
made TO portray the social character ofany Adj
ministration. In this effort to supply lament
ed defect, the necessary descriptions and
sketches have been condensed as much as pos
sible. and no memories have been included OF
men whose biographies have been elsewhere
given to the public. The aim has been to ex-
6ibit statesmen, leading ladies, etc. in their
drawing-room aspect, with only notices sutil-
cient to illustrate their appearance and lntlu-
ence at special times. Thus mention is made
repeatedly of the Saline persons under different
Administrations
"Imperfect as brief survey must necessarily
be. il will be found that fair idea ut an Ad-
ministration can be gained by view OF Its
fashionable life and everyday social habits A
great difference will be perceived in the terms
of the Presidents, traceable in some degree to
the influence of the Executive, but far more TO
those who surrounded him, and most OF all 10
the ladies who ruled the fashionable lotteries
and gave the laws IN assemblages. dress and
entertainments. The attention bestowed on
these last may seem disproportlonate to those
who do not estimate their effect; those VINO
remember the large share they occupy III the
delineati0n Of any period, will not charge the
author with n frivolous taste IN dwelling on
them"
We will extract a few of the stories told by
Mrs Ellet, which may throw some new hight
on the social lite of the the times OF our earher
Presidents And first, this about
THOMAS JEFFERSON AND TON MOORE.
Tom Moore, twenty-four years old, had as
vet published nothing which had crossed the
Atlantic but gentle Little's moral song and
Jefferson had no idea that he stood IN the pres
ence of the young Catullus of his day. Stand
ing in his hight of six feet two inches. the
President looked down on the pertumed Little
AdOnis, spoke word to him and gave hun no
further attention. Moore, after this untlattcr-
ing reception, tell to lampoouing the President
and almost everything American. Some oil his
scurrilous attacks fell into the hands Of Bur
well, formerly the Presidents Private Secrrta-
~, who carried them to Mrs Randolph. III"
gentle Martha was reused by such insults by i
man who had been introduced into socct! and
patronized By the British Minister. They were
indignant, and agreed that il was proper 10
place the matter before the President. his
was done at Monticello, while Jefferson was
reading in his library He glanced through
the obnoxious passages pointed out, looked at
his daughter and his friends and burst into n
hearty laugh, in which they joined after mo
nent of reflection
When Moore's Irish melodies appeared years
afterwards, and the book was put into .Iriirr-
sons hands, IVY this" he said. is the lit
lie man who satlrized me sou He read on;
ne had always sympathized with the Irish pa
triots; and presently exclaimed; IVY hr - a
poet after all" Itncetorth tho bard of Erin
shared with Barns the house of the retired
statesman. The following "reminiscences OF
MRS. MADISON
are also interesting: At dinner, Mrs. Madison
always took the head of the table. Madison the
middle, and one of his secretaries the bottom.
Her memory was so good that she never forgot
a name, and would address each of her guests.
though Just introduced with twenty others, as
if she had known them for years. She was q
magnificent looking woman in the drawing
room. Her stately and JunO-like figure tow
cred above the rest of the ladies. When sh,
found a timid young girl she would attend 10
her most asslduously, conduct her To the piano
and remain with her till she became more Al
her ease. At one Of her receptions, tall
dangling youth, fresh from the back"oods
made his appearance and took his stand against
a partition wall He stood in that position like
fixture for an hour, and finally ventured t.
take a cup of coffee, which it was then the
custom to hand around. Mrs Madison's keen
eye had noticed his embarrassment, and she
wished to relieve 1t. She walked up and ad
dressed him. The poor youth, astounded
dropped the saucer on the floor, and uncOn
sciously thrust the cup into his brooches pocket
1.-THE crowd is so great" remarked the gentle
lady, chat no one can avoid being jOstlcd
The servant will bring you another cup 81
coffee How did you leave your excellent
mother2 l had once the honor of knowing
her, but have not seen her for some years.
Thus she continued, till the poor youth felt as
though he were in the company of an old &C.
guaintance. He took care, secretly and soon
to dislodge the protuberance in his pocket. OF
the wife of
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
we learn: Miss Louisa Catharne Johnson
who became the wife of John Quincy Adams
was born. educated and married in London
She was the daughter Of Joshua johnson. In
advanced age her children were accustomed t.
call her "Madam," and their father "Thc
President" The utmost Difference was sys
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