The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-01-27
THE WHITE HOUSE.
A Magnificent Palace and PaIataI Luxures--
Regal Etiquette.

The White House is no longer tC
be the plain, homely abode of an unpretend
ing Republican Presidents but the air of re-
gal grandeur and the costly sumptuousncss
of the princcly courts of the old world are tC
be introduced to astonsh awe and impress
the Woodworking citizens of this booris
country.
THE NEW ERA.
To gain an idea of the change that has sc
gradually crept over us, and the contrast the
White House to-day present to the same es
Enlistment a score of years ago, one has but
to make formal call of respect upon the
President No longer does he find the mar
entrance standing open to all corners. Ever
at the 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 asin days
gone by, in plain, familiar, easy manner
The visitor must understand at the outset that
he is calling upon no ordinary parsonage. A
t1unky, in full dress. receives him at the door
All the paraphernalia of swalow-taled coat
white vest and choEer, black trousers and
white gloves, with which this obsequous
door-opener astonishes the visitor. is design
ed to prepare the mind for something more
grand and aristocratic within.
1I1E 1NtSlDENI > AtDlfNCE C11AMDEk.
The audience chamber of the President
like the ante-rooms and apartments of the
Secretaries, has been transformed from the
plain, modest though beautiful room in which
Mr. Lincoln was content to perform his Of
fetal duties, into magnificent glided saloon,
presenting, it must be acknowledged, more
taste and skill in its adornment and ornamen-
tatlon then the others, but still over-tawdry
and snowy in the general effect produced.
Everything in the room, aside from its fresco-
ing, is rich and beautiful.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES STYLE OF RECEIVING
Mr.. Grant receives his visitors with no trace
of cordially whatever. Ordinarily he re-
mains seated at his writing table; mods and
mutters something like good morning. as
the caller approaches; listens moodily, almost
abstractedly, to him as he states his case ;
answrs him in monosyllabes and dismisses
him with nod and half inaudible good
day" Those of more than ordinary preten-
slons, who may chance to call, are admitted
to the stereotyped shake of the hands, the
President rising and accompanying the shake
with something like ''I'm very glad to see
you" But then he shuts himself up in his
studied reticence, and listens patiently, an
swers briefly, and gets through the business
as quickly as possible. With a third class,
These are his old army companions and such
civilians as have gained his confidence. To
gain Mr.. Grants confidence is an achieve
ment rarely accomplished It was easier
eight or ten years ago. and hence the most of
| his confidants are those who had relations
with him when his star began to rise. Such
are received by him with the utmost cordially
and familiarity. They are relieved from the
examination by Dent, and are admitted to
the presence at any time when others are not
closeted with him. They are saluted by their
surnames. as GLOW are you, Sherman?' or
''Ilallo, Smth-glad to see you," and so on.
When such flmiliars call, no etiquette what
ever is followed Cigars are usually pro
duced at once, and then follows a free and
easy, gossiping, storytelling conversation.
And as the smoke becomes thick in the room,
and the familiarity attains its height, Mr.
Grant becomes the most pliable person i'm
aginable. All reticcnce and stoidity are
laid aside; he talks rs freely as any one; tells
rs good a story as the best, and will promise
anything that may be asked Of him. There
are but a few persons who enjoy this close
acquaintance with Grant, and they are very
fortunate. Still Il fourth class is composed
exclusively Of solid men, men who are sup
posed to be able to draw their checks for
fabulous amounts; the Stewards. Borics, and
such like financially great men of the coun-
try. To these the President accords the most
gracious reception. On the announcement of
their names he hurrics to greet them, and
himself attends to Offering them seats. Their
calls are never considered too long, or in the
slightest sense !; bore. To them he is cordial
to subservlency.
THE WHITE HOUSE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Having observed the innovations and
of the Executive Mansion, it may not be
amiss to take a glance at the other parts of
the establishment Bowling ourselves out of
the Presidents presence, and descending the
plain, oldfashioned staircase to the gorgeous
ly-frescoed vestibulc, we approach the mag
| nlticently-dressed usher, and ask permission
to see the house. We are politely shown in
to the famous east room, and there told that,
by order of Mrs. Grant, the rest of the house
is not open to sight-seers. Neither the red
room, the green room, nor the blue room can
be seen, except on tete occasions, or under
the formidable ceremonies OF a call upon
Mrs. Grant. In the east room no change is
apparent from its old-time stately simplicity
beyond the introduction OF portraits Of the
ex-lresidents, which now very appropriately
adorn the walls, having been collected for
| that purpose from various rooms throughout
| this room has been written about and de-
scribed until the subject is as threadbare as
the carpet on the floor, we turn away disgust
ed at the new-fangled 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 dining
room to the east room have always been free
to visitors until the present time. Why they
should be closed now is incomprchensible,
the more so since Mrs. Grant has caused to
be provided new parlor up stairs for her
use, and makes no pretence of occupying
either the red, blue OF green parlors for any
domestic OF family purposes. These three
rooms retain the same furniture as formerly,
and the walls the same coloring. The floors
have been covered with new carpets, beyond
which they are precisely rs Mrs. Patterson,
Mr.. Johnson's excellent housekeeper, left
them. The red room adjoining the state din
ing room, was used by President Johnsons
household as a family parlor. 1t is now left
to the same lordly desertion save on public
occasions, as the rooms further east
| MRS. GRANTS BOUDOIR.
The room on the upper floor at the south
east corner of the house, formerly occupied
by Mrs. Patterson as a bed-chambcr, has been