The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-04-28

size, and of proportions that suggested
dignity if not elegance. Buchanan was
feeble looking old gentleman, whose
white choker suggested the clerical or
der. His countenance, however, showed
that he was not man OF progress, and
rather suggested the fossil order of in
tellect.
Lincoln was the NEST uncouth of all
the Presidents. He did not, it is true,
have the vulgar aspect of Andy John
son, but there was such ungainly man
ners and such length of limb that it
was much against personal appearance.
His countenance was suggestive of
deep thought. and an expression of
profound melancholy gave it an air of
refinement, but it had none of the arti-
fetal refinement of modern society.
Destitute of culture, as has been we'll
remarked, Mr.. Lincoln had all the in
stincts of gentleman" Andy John
son had, as has been suggested, a
countenance which was excessively vul-
gar. The expression did not indicate
poverty or toll, but narrowness of
mind and bitter prejudice. He and
Polk were the worst looking of the en-
tire Presidential coterie. Grants coun-
tenance is too familiar to need COM
ment. Though destitute of what is
called Couture" it is suggestive of
power. ana also indicates n kindly dis
position. Garfield is we'll known
during the campaign.
Washington survived his retirement
little less than three years, which
were spent at Mount Vernon. He at
tended to his plantation, carried on a
large correspondence, and received
many visitors, and yet this was the
only leisure his busy life afforded.
John Adams survived his Office
twenty-six years, which were
spent at Quincy, his native place,
in close retirement. He improved the
leisure to publish his political letters,
and in his Seth year sat in the Massachu-
sets constitutional convention. Thomas
Jefferson, on the close of his presidential
career, retired to his residence at Month
cello, where he lived eighteen years.
Here he was visited by many distin-
guished men, the chief of whom was La
fayette. His residence is still an object
of great interest to the tourist, and is re-
markable for the grand prospect. As
is we'll known, he and John Adams died
on the same day, the 4th of July, 1926.
Madison was poor when he left the
presidential office, and on returning to
Montpelier, he became president of an
agricultural society. To aid him at this
time of privation Congress purchased his
library. Monroe also retired poor, and
resumed his residence at Oak Hill, Va,
where he became justice of the peace,
and afterward moved to New York to live
with his son in-law, at whose house he
died in 1881.
John Quincy Adams was the most &C.
tive of all the retired Presidents. He
was returned to Congress in 1881, two
years after leaving the presidency,
and this service he continued until
his death, seventeen years afterward.
His services to the cause of liberty at
this time were of the most valuable and
sublime character, and he died, at his
post, in the capitol being then in his
S1st year. Jackson survived his retire
ment from the presidency nine years,
which were peacefully passed at the her.
mitage. His favorite pursuit was farm
ing and raising of fine horses, of which
animal he was very fond. Van Buren,
after the close of his office, appeared as
free-soil candidate. On the close of that
canvass he became close resident at
Undertook, where he died in his SOth
year. Pierce sank into obscurity after
the close of his office and died in 1869.
The youngest of our Presidents at the
time of his Inauguration was Grant, who
was 46. The oldest was Harrison, who
was 81. Our military heroes were chiefly
advanced in years, Jackson being go, and
Taylor 65. The average of those to
whom reference has been made, is 81,
which is the best period for ripe judg-
ment-a time when experience unfolds
its lessons unimpaired by the weakness
of age Hartford Post.