The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-04-03
SELECT LITERATURE
"REMINISCENCES OF WASHINGTON
The Jackson Administration from 1876 to
1895.
(CDSTISUED.

coal led to the substitution of CRATES an,
stoves for wide, deep tire-placeS, and thu
brass andirons We're baniSled to garrett
or sold to the iunk-deaiers. Candies alSt
gave way to lamps in which whale oil wa.
burned. although at entertainments the,
were used to give additional light. offer
dropping melted spermaceti on the cloihc!
of the guests. Massive mahogany furni
tnre. upholstered with hair-cloth. wa.
very generally used, with heavy window
curtains of crimson damask or Inorcen
trimmed with silken fringe. Every din
inG-room had its long and large side
board. to visit which all the gentlemen
guests were invited at all hours. AT the
Capitol. an innocent beverage called
"swiehell. coalposed of molassea. gin
ger, and water was provided. and the
materials purchased We're charged under
the head of stationery. To this repre-,
sentative one day made objection. while
the appropriation bill was being dis
cussed. If, said he. syrup is charged
as stationery, wish that the Sergeant
alarms would purchase some good
whisky for those who prefer it to swichell,
and charge the same 20 the appropria-
ton for fuel"
The White House. over the furniture
If which So many shafts from political
IuiverS had been aimed at Mr.. Adams.
and which had been described as havin.
been fitted up in too palatial style for
the Chief Magistrate Of Il Republic. was
refurnlshcd, at a cost of twelve thousand
dollars. soon after General Jackson be-
ZANE its occupant.
The East Room was adorned with four
mantel-pieces Of black Italian marble.
each one surmounted by a large mirror
in Il heavily gilded ornamental frame
The floor was covered with rich BruS-
sells carpet, and there were three large
cut-glass chandeliers hanging from the
ceiling. Gilded sofas and chairs were
upholstered with blue damask: there
were heavy window curtains of blue and
Yellow moreen; and French china vases.
rlIed with artificial flowers adorned the
'nantei-pieces and the three marble topped
center-tableS.
General jackson cared not for this cx-
hibition of costly furniture. but passed
.Itp tr,.rntpr nnrtinn IF liS TINA nr, 81 irS
in his office. smoking a corn-cob pipe
with a reed stem, and discussing politics
with his henchmcn. lie was at the time
-: his Inauguration, sixty-two years of
lge-tall, spare, with high forehead.
from which his gray hair was brushed
back, a decisive nose. searching. keen
Eyes. and when good-natured an almost
child-like expression about his mouth.
\ sclf-reliant. preiudiced. and often very
irascibe old man, it was a very difficult
task to manage him. Some of his cabi-
let advisers made it a point to be with
i'm. to prevent others from ingratiating
themselves into his goodwill. and they
we're thus chronicled in Il ballad of the
time:
. King Andrew had live trusty >quires,
Whom he held his bid to do:
He ais" had three pilot fish,
To give the sharks their cue.
There was Mat, and Lou, and Jack, and
Lev
And Roger of fancy hue,
And Blair the book,
And Kendall chief cook,
And Isaac, Snrnamed the true"
Nat Van Buren, was Secretary of State.
Lou Mcl.ane was Secretary of the Treas
my, Jack Branch was Secretary of the
Navy. Lev Woodbury. was his successor.
and Roger B. fancy was Attorney-Gcn-
raj. Blair, Kendall and Isaac Hill were
tlso known as the kitchen cabinet
Francis p, Blair had been the partner
Of Amos Kendall in the publication o.
The Frankfort -iyy"S. and they had both
deserted Henry Clay when they enlisted
N the movement which gave the cleo
foral vote of Kentucky to General Jack
son. and joined in the cry of ''bargain
and corruption" raised against their for
mer friend. 1t is related that the first
interview between Clay and Blair after
This deSertion was very awkward one
FOR the latter, who felt tn 1t he had be
haved shabbily. Clay had ridden over
on horseback from Lexington to Frank
.ort, i'll the Winter season, on legal bust
ness. and on alighting from his horse at
the tavern door found himself confront
ing Blair, who was just leaving the house
" How do you do. Mr.. Blair?' inquired
the great commoner, in his silvery tones
and blandest manner, at the same time
extending his hand. Blair mechanicall,
~ nonpluseh, and at length said. with an
evident effort, 8 Pretty WELL thank you.
sir. How did you find the roads from Lex
ington here?' The roads are very bad.
Nr. Blair graoiously replied Clay
very bad and | wish, sir, that you
would mend your ways
Mr.. Blair established Tie Glo5c. which
became model political organ. and had
the name of every federal olfice-holder
whose salary exceeded q Thousand dol
lars, on its subscription list, While he
defended IL It's columns General Jackson
and the acts of the administration, right
n wrong, he waged mcrci!css warfare
against those who opposed them. When
Colonel W. r. King. of Alabama. once
begged him to soften an attack upon All
rrring Democrat, Mr.. Blair replied No.
Let it tear his heart out. With ali his
political insoienee. however, he possessed
more indulgent father was never known
in Washington. Personally. Mr.. Blaii
was very ugly. and General Giascock, OF
Georgia. used to tell how y wager was
,nce made hetWueh snme Genrgians and
Nentuokians of an oyster supper for thif-
ty. to he paid for by the citizens Of that
State which could produce the ugliest
man. The evening came, the company
assembled. and Georgia presented fell
low not naturally very ugly, but who had
the knack of wonderfully di>torting his
features. Kentucky was i'll despair, for
their man, vino had heen kept cooped up
for a week, was 81 hopelessly drunk that
he could not stand. At the last moment
a happy thought occurred to Kentucky
representative, named Albert G. Halves.
Ordering hack, he drove to the club