Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-08
Letter from Washington.
ooREsroNDExcE OF THE WORCESTER srr.I
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 5, 1871.

W AsHlNHAONs ~ Nss @AFAAl - ActAs
THE PRESIDENT AT HOME.
Editor Of the Daily py:-on Saturday even
ing, in the midst of a rain storm, we paid our
respects to the president and Mrs. Grant. The
interview having been arranged by a mutual
friend and devoid of state ceremony, it was
particularly pleasant.
We were first shown into the Crimson room
of the White house, the elegance of which, by
gas light would be dazzling were there not so
much surrounding splendor. The principal OBJ
ject of attraction at present, is the picture of the
president and his family, which occupies the
most conspicuous portion of this room. We
were summoned up stairs to the private parlor.
This apartment was the ideal of luxurious COM
fort and by the law of contrast furnished a
complete companion poem to the "Cotters
Saturday Night"
Having often heard that thepresidenti is not af-
ficted with the cdcoetheS l0queRdt, was prepared
for his nearly silent reception 1t was satisfac-
tory to sit in the presence chamber and glance
at the past before the cheerful CRATE fire, while
the rain fell gently beyond that august colon
nade My attention, however, was soon recalled
by most agreeable tones in social phrase from
the executive lips. can but believe the ere
markable retirement is myth" His manner
was dignified, but certainly kind and agreeable
That habit rarely found in men of action-of
deliberate speech, each word fitting squarely in
its place, becomes him well. He told us he had
just returned from walk of four miles and it
was his habit to walk from four to six miles
daily.
Mrs. Grant, my lady-readers may care to
know, appeared in a heavy black silk without
noticeable ornament, save knot of peach-blos-
som hue at her neck. She is grand woman, in
asmuch as she is unspoiled by her postion,-
inarti6cial, sweet, lovable and tue to her in
stincts as wife, mother, friend. Her example,
so different from that Of some of her predeces-
sors, deserves well of history. The radiance of
the cheerful apartment borrowed lustre from
their agreeable hospitality.
Although it was somewhat late in the eve
ming the state rooms on the floor below were
| lighted for our inspection. The green room, the
blue room, and the grand reception room were
each equal to the standard offs republican court.
As we stood there before the portraits of all the
presidents in that spacious apartment, where SO
many receptions have transpired, it seemed that
we could almost hear the rustic of the garments
of the stately danes, back through the vanish
ed years, and hear the courtly words which
they had addressed TO the central object of each
occasion. This was fitting sequel to our visit.
that day, to the old mansion and tomb at
Mount Vernon.
The supernatural spell of the hour was broken
completely in our next visit,-to the vice pres-
dent in his home. The admirable humor of
Mr. COlfax is contagious. If one were in mourn
ing for his next friend he needs must smile at
this embodiment of trenchant peace with all
mankind in general and himself in particular.
He had some sharp hits at New England and
certain personages belonging thereto, which
were almost too good to be hidden in the re-
stricted reports of private hospitality. We re-
GREETED that illness prevented our meeting Mrs.
Coliax whom he called 'the best part of my
family"
Yesterday we heard Rev, DR.. Newman, pastor of
the Metropolitan church, and chaplain of the SEN
ate. Among his constant auditors are the presi-
dent and his family, the vice president and chief
Justice with several senators and representatives.
[Ah MT NOlldA SpOhS III lllS illOol uldddliutu
praise of the sermons of his pastor, we were
prepared for the marked discourse upon the
theme "Behold your king cometh." DIR. New
man is not sectary, hut his liberal nature has
received the finest culture from sources of study
sufficiently extended to be called almost uni
versal. Did your space permit we would be glad
TO give an abstract of this eloquent sermon. We |
beg leave TO recommend all visitors TO Wash |
ngton to allow themselves the rare privilege of |
listening to one of his discourses.
The extremes of Christian civilization were |
rounded by attendance in colored church in |
The evening. The chief attraction of this scene |
was the singing which was performed with an
JUNCTION that "beggars description" Hands and |
feet assisted the sonorous efforts. "He makes |
his people free" was sung with pathos which |
made the blood leap to our heart. Some of them
got powerful weak" and gasped their enjoy |
ment. 1t was altogether glorious time.
This morning we heard Frank Blair in the
senate, which speech you will read before this
reaches you.
Mr.. Sumner in his seat, looks like lion in
his cage who has just had his great roar, and
now lies down to browse on his reflections.
E. t. H. H.