The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-22

The White House IN NaSllinStoH, We are
told by correspondent of the New York Sun,
is no longer to be the plain. homely abode Of
an unpretending Republican President; but
the air OF regal grandeur and the costly sump-
tuousness of the princcly courts of the old
world are to be introduced TO astonish, awe
and impress the Woodworking citizens Of this
boorish country.
THE NEW ERA.
To gain an idea of the change that has so
gradually crept over us, and the contrast the
White House to-day presents to the. same
establishment score OF years ago, one mas
but to make q formal call of respect upon the
President. No longer does he IND the nam nam
entra1ce standing open to all comers. Even
at tN very threshold he is reminded that the
latch-string does not hang out as in days of
yore. The house of the President is closed
against the common throng. To be sure the
great dignitary may be seen, but not as in days
gone by, in a plain. familiar, easy manner. The
visitor must understand at the outset that ne
is calling upon no ordinary parsonage. A fun
XIV. in full dress, receives him at the door. All
the paraphernalia of swallow-taied coat, white
vest and choker, black trousers and white
gloves, With which this obsequions door OPEN
er astonishes the visitor, Is designed to pre-
mare the mind with something more grand and
aristocratic within.
THE PRESIDENTS AUDIENCE CHAMBER.
The audience chamber of the President like
The ante-rooms and apartments OF the secrcta-
ries, has been transformed from the plain,
modest, though beautiful room in which Mr..
Lincoln was content to perform his official du-
ties, into magnificent gildcd saloon, present.
ing, it must be acknowledged, more taste anu
skill in Its adornmcnt and ornamentation than
,tIit torrv vy1rtor Sh nIpU
the general effect produced. Everything IN
the room, aside from its frescoing, Is rich and
beautiful.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES STYLE OF RECEIVING.
Mr.. Grant receives his visitors with no trace
of cordiality whatever. Ordinarily he remains
seated at his writing table; mods and multers
something like ''gOod morning" rs the caller
approaches; listens moodily, almost abstract
csi to him as he states his case; answers him
In monosyllablcs; and dlsmisses him with q
nod and half inaildible ''good day" Those OF
more than ordinary pretcnsons, VINO may
chance to call, arc admitted to the stereotyped
shake OF the hand, the President rising and
accompanying the Shake with something like
I'm very glad to see you." But then ne
shuts himself ND in his studied reticcnce, and
listens patiently, answers briefly al gets
through the business as quickly rs possible.
With q third class, however, he is altogether
q different person. These are his Old army
companions and such civilians as have gained
his confidence To gain Mr.. Grants conti-
dence Is an achievement now rarely accom-
plished. 1t was easier eight or ten years ago,
and hence the most of his conldants are those
who had relations with him when his star
began to rise Such are received by him with
the utmost cordaity and familiarity. They
are relieved from the examination by Dent,
aud are admitted to the presence at any time
IL, oip tn1 Huit
are salutcd by their Surnames, as "ll0w are YOU,
Sherman" or 'sHallo, Smith-g lad to see you,
and so on. When such familiars call, no etl-
quette whatever is followed. Cigars are usll-
ally produced at once, and then follows free
and easy gosspping, storytelling conVersa-
lion. AS the smoke becomes thick IN the
room, and the familiarity attains Its height,
Nr. Grant becomes the most pllabie person
Imaginable. All reticence and stolidity are
laid aside; he talks as freely as any one; tells
as good a story as the best, and will promise
ANYTHING that may be asked Of HIM. There
are but q few persons who enjoy this close
acquaintance with Grant, and they are very
fortunate. Stil fourth class Is composed eX-
cusively OF solid men, men who are supposed
to he able to draw their checks for fabulous
amounts; the Stewarts, Bories, and such like
financially great men OF the country: 10 tnese
the President aCcords the most gracious recep-
ton. On the announcement of their names he
hurries 10 greet them, and himself attends to
Offering them seats. Their calls are never
considered too long, or in the slightest sense
bore. TO them lie is cordial to subscrviency.
THE WHITE HOUSE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
Having observed the innovations and
changes in the east enl or business portion
of tho Executive Mansion. tmay not be amiss
to take glance at the other parts OF the es-
tabllshment. Bowing ourselves out OF The
Presidents presence, and descending The
plain. old-fasliOned staircase to the gorgeous
iy-frcscocd rcstibulc, we approach the magni-
fccntly dressed usher, and ask permission TO
see the house. We are politely shown into
the famous east room, and there told that, by
order of Mrs. Grant, the rest of the house is
not open 10 sighr-seers. Neither the rcd
room, the green room. nor the blue room can
be seen, except on tete occasions, or under
the formidable ceremonies Ola call upon Mrs.
Grant. In the east room no change Is appa-
rent from Its old-timc stately simplicity, be-
yOnd the introduction of portraits of tue eX-
Presidents. which now very appropriately
adorn the walls, having been collected for that
purpose from various roenS throughout me
mansion and from other sources. And as this
room has been written about and described
until the subject is as lhreadbarc us the carpet
on the floor, we turn away disguised aC tae
ncw-fangled notions which close inc pest
OlrtS OF the historic cStaUilSItucllL lloiu lhC III
spection OF its owners.
FORBIDDEN GROUND.
The range of parlors stretching along the
back of the mansion from the state dining room
to the east room have always been free to Wis.
itors until the present time. Why they should
be closed now Is incomprehensiblc, the more
so since Mrs. Grant has caused to be provided
a new parlor up stairs for her use, and makes
no pretence of occupying either the red, blue
or green parors for any domestic or family
pnrposes These three rooms retain the same
furniture as formerly, and the walls have the
same coloring. The floors have been covered
with new carpets beyond which they are pre-
cisely as Mrs. Patterson, Mr.. J0hnSon's excel
lent housckcepcr, left them. The red room,
adjoining the state dining room, was used Dy
President Johnson's household as q family par
Ior 1t is now left to the same lordly desertion,
save on public occasions, rs the rooms further
east.
MRS. GRANTS BoUDoIR.
The room on the upper floor at the south:
west corner of the house. formerly occupied
by Mrs. Patterson rs 4 bed-chambcr. has been
transformed into an elegant private parlor Tor
Mrs. Grant. Gliding and frcsco have been
brought into free use in this apartment, anc
changed it into a luxurious houtloir. The elc-
can't lace and damlsk curtains. the costly
Turkish carpet. the magnificent mirrors. and
the rich rosewood furniture arc all new. ant
were mostly procured abroad expressly fol
This domestic retreat. Here. when wearlet
with the batteries of her admirers. and eX
houstcC with the studied ctiQupttc OF Slate 0c