Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-03-02
WASHINGTON, D. G. !
February 23d, 1875. (


Dear Sir-The month of February
seems to have been marked with many
historical events, as, for instance, Gen.
George Washington was born OH the
22,l oil February, which was celebrated
here on yesterday with great enthEs-
asm and much satisfaction TO the citi-
zens Of the great metropolis of Ameri
ca.
Again, your orator was born on the
23d day of February, in honor of
which, Tor something else, } the Presi-
dent of the United States gave a grand
reception this evening, Feb. %, and
your writer freely participated therein.
1t was announced in the city papers
that the reception would commence
at s o'clock and continue until 10
o'clock, so |, iii company with some
other gentlemen OF distinguished char
acter, repaired to the Presidential Man.
sion some thirty minutes ahead of
time, L always like to be up to time,
so we got their in advance of the great
thrOng. We were asked into the Hall
10y the doOr-keeper, spacious Hall it
was too !. very nice carpet on the
floor. Space looked beautiful all round.
But if you wanted TO sit down YOU
could stand up for convenience, there
being but one or two chairs in the
room, and the make of them look to
he as ancient as the furniture used by
George Washington.
When s o'clock arrived ii was an
nounced that the ladies might go for
ward into another room; west we will
say and as a consolation to the heart
stricken Husband and discOnsolate
beaux they were informed that they
might follow in due time aud be hap
PLY reunited beyond the Jordan, if
faithful, or in the next room if not un-
grateful. So the ladies' moved forward
soldier-hke, as they are. God bless
them and IN very few minutes they
had all passed out of sight. The stern
er sex were ordered up, so we took up
our line of march, l myself pretty well
in advance. After passing through
gentlemen who had ladies with them
would come up to them right there
but it was not so, the ladies advanced
into another apartment, hall | sup
pose. In this room the gentlemen
had to lay off their overcOats, hats and
umbrellas, and hand them over to a
couple of gentlemen of color, who gave
us in exchange therefor a check. AT
ter receiving the check we were ready
to go forward again. AS | wanted to
be among the first to see what was
ahead OH l went. AS / got through
the door the Commander said, Now,
Gentlemen, take your ladies and adj
val ce, turning through that right
hand door, the President and Family
are Just ahead" ! had no lady, and
/ was afraid to ask to borrow. l saw
many ladies that bad no gentlemen
with them. and they were bashful
about taking hold of my arm. Though
we stood awkardly arranged for some
time at length whole group of them
started off together. Thought l to
myself what q fool / am Just see
what | have lost by not asking. Had
/ named it might have not only one
but seven hanging to my arms aud
skirts, which would have inspired me
with such courage TO meet the Presi-
de! t, that 1 would, by my profound
courtesy and polite manners. have
tick led him to the bottom of his boots
So l advanced alone, or rather without
any fair one by my side, into the next
room. Passing through that room,
we, or |, came TO the room where the
President, his wife and all the chill
dren were ready TO receive US with q
hearty shake of the hand and pass us.
The gentleman standing in advance
Of the President says, your name sir,
<'Charles c. Campbell, of Virginia."
President Grant, Chas. C.. Campbell
we shook hands, two honest paws met
for once iii the city of Washington.
you NAV be sure. Next came Mrs.
Grant, "Mr-. Grant, Chas. &. Camp
bell" she ecu tested very nicely,
bowed most SUI erbly, each one Of us
throwing out our right paw as though
we did not know whether to shake
hands or not. / was in this dilemma
a few seconds. when it occurred 10 my
mind THAI / might not have an oppOr-
tunity of shaking hands with Mrs
President soon again. so | advanced.
reached out my hand. she hers, and I
give he hearty shake of the same,
in Old Virginia style.
| am better leased with his honor.
the = esident of the United States,
than / expected TO be. He is uGassu-
ming i'm his manners and very genteel
in appearance, a handsome round face,
much younger IN appea an - than L
expected, aud has very determined
lo k. His wife, Mrs. Grant, is SUI
perior 10 liking lady. and the children
look healthy and are very handsome.
Having passed this point we al
vnuced, giving the proper signs and
due "a ards e. the officers Of the even
ing, into the East room, where the
$40. 900 Chandeliers, 3 in number, with
their IS lights each, were sparkling
through the diamond bangings, well
coined US all. A magnificent sight is
Ibis rom mirrors. OF which are