Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-03-09
THE WHITE HOUSE CLOSED 10 THE
pIDIIC

and changes in the east end or bust
ness portion of the Executive Mansion
it may not be amiss to take glance
at the other parts of the establish
ment. Bowing ourselves out Of the
Presidents presence and descending
the plain, old-iashioned staircase to the
gorgeously frescoed vcstibnle, we ap.
proach the magnificently dressed ush.
er, and ask permission to see the
house. We are politely shown into
the famous cast room, and there told
that, by order of Mrs. Grant, the rest
of the house is not open to sight.scers
Neither the red room, the green room,
lnor the blue room can be seen, except
on fete occasions, or under tho formi.
dable ceremonies to call upon Mrs.
Grant. In the east room no change
is apparent from its old-time stately
simplicity, beyond the introduc-
ton of the portraits Of the ex-
Presidents, which now very appropri.
ately adorn the walls, having been
collected for that purpose from vari
GUS rooms throughout the mansion
and from other sources. And as this
room has been written about and de-
scribed until the subject is as thread
bare as the carpet on the floor, we
turn away disgusted at the new-fan-
gled notions which close the best parts
Of the historic establishment from the
inspection Of its owners.
FORBIDDEN GROUND.
The range of parlors stretching
along the back of the mansion from
the state room to the east room, have
always been free to visitors until the
present time Why they should be
closed now is incomprehensible, the
more so since Mrs Grant has caused
TO be provided new parlor upstairs
for her use, and makes no pretence of
occupying either the Red, Blue or
Green parlors for any domestic or
family purposes, these three rooms re-
tain the same furniture as formerly,
and the walls have the same coloring
The floors have been covered with
new carpets, beyond which they are
exactly as Mrs Patterson, Mr.. John.
sons excellent housekeeper left them.
The Red Room, adjoining tho state
dining room, was used by President
Johnson's household as family par.
lor. 1t is now left to the same lordly
desertion, save on pubic occasions, as
the rooms further east.
MRS. GRANTS BoUDoIR.
The room on the upper floor at the
southwest corner of the house, form
erly occupied by Mrs. Patterson as a
bed chamber, has been transformed
into an elegant private paror for Mrs
Grant. Gliding and frescoe have been
brought into free use in this apart
ment, and changed into a luxurious
boudoir. The elegant lace and dam.
ask curtains, the costly Tukish carpet,
the magnificent mirrors, and the rich
rosewood furniture are all new, and
were mostly procured abroad expressly
for this DOMESTIC retreat. Here, when
wcaried by the batteries of her admi.
rers, and exhausted with the studied
etiquette of state occasions, she retres
to enjoy the familiar converse ofthose
she estcems her particular friends. 1t
is, indeed, a gem of room, save the
gliding and painting, which arc too
much and too highly colored. From
its windows one Of the most beautiful
views in America is commanded, tax
ing in the broad Potomac as far as
the eye can roach, with Arlington
Heights on the right, and the misty
green meadows of the eastern shore
on the left. Tho room abounds in
pretty little ornaments, statuetts,
vases, pictures, costly books, and
nick.nacks, mostly presents.
now MRS GRANT RECEIVES.
Mrs. Grant receives her familiar
friends in her private boudoir. More
formal callers are ushered into the
Red Parlor To see the wife of the
Presidsnt is an. undertaking of no
small moment The army Of richly
dressed servants that GIL The mansion
are instructed TO admit no one until a
card is presented TO Mrs. Grant. And
then IL is required that the applicant
for the honor of paying his respects
10 the wife of the President shall eth.
or be accompanied by some one al.
ready enjoying the acquaintance Of
the hostess, or have been previously
presented TO her. Tho caller, more.
over, must appear in full dress
AT GENERAL RECEPTIONS
all may call who please, but a card
must be handed to an usher in ad
vance Of the visitors entrance to the
reception room, when the name is
called out at the door in loud tone
If the owner of the namo presents
him or herself in attire bcfitting so
ccremonious an occasion, very gra.
cious reception is accorded. But il
some Of our country cousins who are
ignorant Of dress coats and French
styles, follow the announced names,
the frown of the lady of the mansion
ut onco assures them that their room
will be more acceptable than their com
pany. Thus while conforming to the
time hcnored custom Of President
wives to receive all callers, Mrs Grant
very emphalically makes known that
the wife Of the President is no ordina.
ry person 10 be approached in every
day dress
TIN PRESIDENTS Every DAY LIFE.
In his domestic relations, the Presi.
dent is treated with the utmost defer
cnce and respect Mrs. Grant insists
that whatever may be tho proper
homage for him to receive on public
occasions is mono the less proper in
the privacy Of his own family circle.
Thus he is always addressed as Mr..
President and the servants are strict.
ly cnioincd TO observe this mark of
distinction On state occasions, the
President Of course, with the most
distinguished lady gnest, leads the
way into tho dining room. But this
strict etiquctte is By no means contih-
ed to such solemn occasions Should