The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-08-28
The Ladies Of the White House.

lForney's Progress.
From the earliest days of civilization
woman has figured prominently in society
and government. The records of female in
fuence in England, France, Germany, Italy
| and Spain, are simply delightful. And
while this sort of literature is universally
sought from many motives, the women most
conspicuous in history are those that are re-
nowned for virtue as well as beauty, though
there are thousands of instances proving the
last more potent than the first.
Modern experience discloses severer
state of female morality in foreign govern
ments. Queen Victoria, ex-Empress Eugene,
the beautiful Queen of Italy, the new Queen
of Spain, the wife of the President of France
(Madame Grevy), the equestrienne Queen of
Austria, the venerable Empress of Germany
and the Crown Princess-the daughter of
/ Victoria ARE types of a better era and a
higher culture. SEA
When we turn to our own country, nothing
is more creditable to republican institutions
than the ladies of our early and recent Chief
Magistrates. From colonial days, from Mrs.
Martha Washington, from the brilliant
entertainment in Washington's camp, near
Middlebfook, in celebration of the anniver-
sary of the American alliance with France
and the subscription balls in Philadelphia,
down to her last appearance, when she
retired to private life, she was accustomed
to speak of her public days in New York
and Philadelphia as her ''lost days." prefer
ring home comfort and seclusion to the
dazzle and dress of public life.
Strange to say, the wife of John Hancock,
the great Boston patriot, who was noted for
his genial home, open house, and sumptuous
table, was woman almost as full of energy
L ., I'll
of Mrs. Washington and Mrs. Hancock,
who were very intimate friends: Mrs
Washington would say to Mrs. Hancock
There is difference; your husband is in
the cabinet, as Governor of the State
mine is on the battlefield" AS showing
the habits of those days, so different from
our own, and forming such contrast to the
plain dignity and quiet elegance of General
Hancock and his family at Governors Island,
it is related that the first Mrs. Hancock's
wedding fan was from Paris, made of white
kid. painted with appropriate designs. Fan
mounting was then done in this country by
ladies. The christening suit OF her baby
came from England, and was of embroidered
linen, and stomacher of muslin and brocaded
lace.
After John Hancock's death she was one
of the wonders of the age, and as his widow
was visited, until the close of her life, by dis
tinguished persons from foreign countries as
well as her own.
An amusing incident is told of John Han
cock and Samuel Adams. AS the Governor,
Hancock, was one day driving out with his
wife, he met Samuel Adams walking with the
| sheriff beside him. Hancock asked: ''Why,
| what is the matter2" Adams replied al am
going to Jail, as can not stisfy the demands
| of my CREDITORS The Governor setted the
demands, and babe the sheriff leave his
| prisoner. Many a time was his Prise opened
for Samuel Adams benefit under similar cir
| cumstances, and many time did he help
| the poor and needy.
edged to possess rare beauty, courtly man.
ner, q high-toned spirit, fine powers of con-
versation, dressed with care, and very digni-
fed. She was one of the Quincys.
But notwithstanding the hypercriticisms
ofthe Mawworms of the hour, the fact is
growing clearer that American women are
a becoming more interested in public affairs
every day; and it is pleasant to be reminded
that the wives of the two chic
candidates for President for 1880 are espe-
cially cultivated and sensible. The modern
newspaper reporter has become a sort o.
| Christopher Columbus, ever looking for new
characters, as the world-seeklng Genost
sought for new worlds. Nothing escape
these ubiquitous inquirers. Presidential ap
pirants are examined with as merciless SO
verify as if they were candidates for Pope
while all their sisters, and their cousins, ant
their aunts, and notably their wives, are sub
jected to similar inventory. II was not s.
in olden time, save as to the men. Washing
ton, Adams, jefferson, John Quincy Adams
Jackson, Lincoln and Grant were YER.
thoroughly overhauled, privately and pub
licly; but the ladies of the White House
with two or three exceptions, have, as rule
passed the ordeal ofpublic life TRANQUILITY an
easily - '--- -
Having known, most of the ladies, an
many of their associates, who have figure
in and fitted out of the White House sine
: 1910, brief reference to the long provossio
lsince Mrs. Martha Washington, in 1889, ;
way Of Introduction to the accomplish
woman who will, believe, succeed Mr.
Hayes on the 4th of March, 1881, will be
pleasing exception to the heavier parts {
Q this volume. Women in society are late
? growth than women in political power, ju
: as kings and queens are older than the be
! Of our inventions and discoveries in scien'
and art. And when we remember that eve
e Shakespeare's plays we're for many. yea