Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-01-28
pictures, costly books aud knick-knacks,
mostly presents.

HOW MRS. GRANT RECEIVES.
Mrs. Grant receives her familiar friends
in her private boudoir. More formal call
ers are ushered into the red parlor. To
Isee the wife of the President is an under
taking OF no small moment. The army of
richly dressed servants that fill the man
sion are instructed to admit no one until
card is presented to Mrs. Grant. And
then it is required that the applicant for
the honor of paying his respects to the
wife of the President shall be accompanied
by some one already enjoying the acquain-
lance OF the hostess, or have been previ
ousy presented to her. The caller, more
over, must appear in full dress.
| AT GENERAL RECEPTIONS
oil may call who please, but a card must be
handed to an usher in advance of the Wis
ltor's entrance to the reception room,
when the name is called out at tao door in
a loud tone. If the owner of the name
presents himself or herself in attire befit-
ting so ceremOniOus an occasion, a very
gracious reception is accorded. But if
some of our country cousins who are ignO-
rant OF dress coats and French styles fol-
low the announced names, the frOwn of
the lady of the mansion at once assures
them that their room will be more accept
able than their company. Thus, while
I
Presidents wives to receive all callers,
Mrs. Grant very emphatically makes
known that the wife of the President is no
ordinary person to be approached in every
day dress.
THE PRESIDENTS EVERY DAY LIFE.
In his domestic relations, the President
| is treated with the utmost Difference and
respect. Mrs. Grant insists that whatever
may be the proper homage for him to re-
ceive on public occasions is none the less
proper in the privacy Of his own family
circle. Thus he is always addressed as
| Mr. President, and referred to as the Presi-
dent, and the servants are strictly eniOined
to observe this mark OF distinction. On
State occasions, the President, of course,
with the most distinguished lady guest,
leads the way into the dining groom. But
this strict etiquette is by no means con
| fined to such solemn occasions Should
friend of the President, however init
mate he might be, accept an invitation to
dine socially, and, venturing upon his in
| timacv, presume to forget the preference
to which the President is entitled, he would
be reminded Of it, Thus when dinner is
announced, the guest will offer his arm to
Mrs Grant, and move forward. Mrs
Grant checks him with q polite bow to-
ward her husband, and the remark, ''the
President goes first" So at the table; the
President is first served, and then those
who sit at meat with him. And this rule
admits of no variation under any circum-
stances.
THE EXECUTIVE BILLIARD-ROOM.
just off the State dining room, and back
of the passage leading to the conservatory,
has been erected small addition to the
mansion for the diversion of the President.
This is the Executive billiard saloon. It
is about eighteen by twenty-five feet in
dimensions, Yearly all enclosed with glass,
the narrow spaces between the windows
being filled with pictures of a sporting
character. The furniture is of black wal
nut, and consists merely of few chairs, a
table, a side-board. &c. The room is pref
Of Phelan's make, finished in rosewood in
the most elaborate style. The cues are
mostly of costly wood. inlaid with pearl.
Everything in the apartment is Of the
best, and certainly it is an attractive spot
The table was selected by General Grant
in person at Phelan's establishment in this
city. and was in use at his private resi-
dence before he was elected President.
THE EQUINE ESTABLISHMENT.
| The Executive stables, near the Navy
Department., are fitted up with every COM
fort and luxury for the equine members of
| the Presidential establishment. There are
twelve animals of various degrees of beau
ty and value, kept here for the use Of the
President and his family, with four carri-
ages, besides an array of open wagons,
| buggies and other equipages. The horses
include coach teams, trotters, racers, sad
dle-horses, and two Shetland ponies for
the exclusive use of the Executives juven-
lies. The misunderstanding Nubian who
has the honor of presiding over this estab
lishment takes delight in showing visitors
through, and in descanting upon the mer-
its of the different animals. But not the
least attractive feature is the stunning llv-
cries of this same Nubian and his worthy
coadiutor, who occupies the position of
footman. The coats are of a rich olive
brown, with broad lapels, cuffs and pocket
covers, the whole profusely covered with
bright silver buttons, the size of an old
American silver dollar piece. The gorge
GUS top boots in which the feet of these
worthless ore encased render attention to
the character of the pantalOons unnecessa-
ry. Black stove-pipe hats, with broad
bands and massive silver buckles, adorn
the heads of these servants of Presidential
grandeur, and complete their onttit. All
the carriages bear the initials "U. s. q. }"
in monogram on the panels.
EXECUTIVE EXPENSES.
! 1862 AND 1868. 1870 AND 1871.
| President Linco In, President Grant has
when the war at its asked for the next hace /
height, and the duties year continuance OF
the Executive office re. the force he has put OF
auired moro clerical and duty since the 4th of
other labor than ever March last, viz:
before or since, asked One private secre-
for one private secre tary, o bert
tary at........ 81, 500 Douglas) at. S3 500
One secretary to One asst. priv. sec. {, 500
sign land pat Two clerks OF class
| ents........ 800 f. at 81, 800. 8 GOO
One steward $3.50. 1900 One steward. ..... 2, 900
One messenger. 9OOOne messenger $40
ISta I'll merry and One furnace keep
| contingent ex- er... ........ 72O
| penses......... GOO Two policemen for
Pay of Major John special duty, at ,o
| Fl ay, military IL $50. 2.64O
| eecretary.. 2,45Gt Two night watch
| men, at 5000. ], 500
| $9O5OOne doolkeeper-
His own GALAXY 25 OOUI in-chief ........ 900
| -.One asst door
| Total salaries $34, 500 keeper. 600
Under Grant. 61,6 GOO Ine secretary to
| - sign land pat
Tpcrease nnder ents (noW sta