Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-15
Prince Arthur to his Mother.

The Richmond Examiner, through the
enterprise of its Washington correspon-
dent pickles and the courtesy of the
British Legation at the Capital, is en-
abled to print copy of Prince Arthur's
letter to his mother from that city, as
follows:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.--Dedr Mother:
rememb ber having heard somewhere that
the good Prince Ludwig, of Wurtemburg,
in much distress as to the best wsy to
bring up his children, wrote to Rousseau,
asking his advice upon the subject, and
that singular man returned an answer
commencing 81 j avis le malheur d
efre ue Prince" etc. Little did | know till
/ came here what reason he had to write
thus; but now have learned, dear
mother, that it is not 80 awful jolly to be
Prince. My trip to Washington has
not been regular lark on the contrary,
it is thus far boresome called to-day
upon the President He is q smal man,
with large feet and hands, a square head,
and smells fearfully of tobacco smoke.
They tell me that he lights cigar every
night before going to bed, and don't
take it out of his mouth until in
the morning; but / scarcely know
whether to believe this or not. / saw
great many queer people at the Execu-
tive Mansion, who seemed to talk through
their noses, and didn't know what to do
with their hands. The ladies', however,
were not so awkward, and it was as much
as could do to keep them from pulling
me to pieces. 1t was a great relief to
get away, dear mother, because you know
/ hate such familiarity on short acquaint-
ance, and some of these Americans won't
wait even to be introduced. There is a
gentleman here by the name OF Dent.
They call him General" He is cham
+, berlain at the White House, and right
Jolly fellow. / like him. He says he
thinks of going to England next spring,
aud / have promised him q letter to you.
often think he would make good lord.
He shuns the common folks, and only
associates with the elite. MIR. Sumner,
whom you have heard of so often, was
over kind to me- He looks like Lord
Clarendon, and is very unpopular. He
mentioned to me that he would like TO
explain to me his course about the
Alabama matter, but Mr.. Thornton
advised me to avoid the subject,
and / will do SO. Mr.. Butler, OF
Massachusetts, called upon me this eve
ming. | don't like his looks. he has
most sinister face. He is sort of man
you would hate to meet in any lonely
place of dark night. got rid of him
as soon as could. One thing struck me
particularly here-there are more ne
groes than white people. They live in
mud huts on the outskirts of the city, and
are fed by the Government. l never saw
any of them at work, and Mr.. Chandler
told me that inssmuch as they had shaved
all their lives, the Government thought
they should have some rest. Most of
them are big and fat and lazy Alto
gether. dear mother, this is the queerest
place I've been in yet, and shall only be
too happy to get out of it, The Colonel
and Fitzroy do nothing but swear from
morning till night, they are so bothered
with invitations on my account. Alas
Rousseau was right; to be Prince is
bad enough, but to be Prince and live
in republic would be impossible. Adieu,
dear mother, and with love to Louise,
Leopold, and the rest, remain,
Your affectionate son,
ARTHUR PATRIcK.