The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-05-02
PRESIDENT ARTHUR'S DAILY LIFE

PRESIDENT ARTHUR'S DAILY LIFE.
When not engaged with callers the Presi-
dent spends most of his time in little room
In the northwest corner of the second story of
the White House. In this little room he has
few chairs and desk, and the greater part
OF his business is transacted here His habits
of life are simple and regular. and for this
reason he has been able to sustain the respon
sibilities that have been SO heavily resting upon
him with comfort and health and without IA
tigue. He never allows anything to disturb
his equipoise, and when questions of an an
noying character come to him for discussion
he considers them with great deliberation.
which is frequently cause of annoyance to
those interested. But he claims that the re-
sponsibility rests with him, and he will not
act until he has had time to carefully consider
all the points in the case Few men work
more hours in the day than the President. He
rises about 8. 80 in the morning, takes cold
bath, shaves, drinks cup of coffee, eats an
egg or piece of toast and then goes into the
executive chamber to receive Congressional
callers or other people who come to him on
business. By 2.30 or l o'clock this ordeal is
over, when he reads his mail, dictates replies
to letters that require an immediate answer,
and disposes of whatever papers may have
been left with him by the callers of the morn
ing, referring them to this department or to
that, as their contents may require Then,
about o'clock, he takes his luncheon with
the family, and generally friend or two who
may be invited in. After luncheon, if he has
made appointments, he receives company in
the library, and if not he retires to the little
room in the corner, where he lights cigar,
writes or dictates letters, reads documents
that require his attention and performs the
official duties of the day.
At o'clock every evening, when the
weather is fine, the President takes long
horseback ride through the back streets to
Georgetown and out into the country. If
the weather is cold or wet he usually walks
or takes his carriage. Generally these trips
are taken alone, but sometimes George Ban
croft, the historian, or some other friend ac-
companies him. During the jaunt, which
usually occupies about an hours time, he al
lows no one to trouble him with business
matters, but insists upon devoting the entire
time to recreation. Returning he dimes at 7,
and devotes the evening to social enjoyment
until II or -, when he retires to his room
and again takes up his official duties, fire.
quently working over his papers until or 4
o'clock in the morning.
Before the Lenten season began the Presi-
dent either dined out or received guests of his
own every evening. He entertains more than
any of his predecessors ever did. and accepts
more invitations Before the coming of Ar
thur the Chief Magistrate accepted invitations
only from the members of his Cabinet and the
justices of the Supreme Court, but he has
added the Senators to this list for two rea-
sons: First, because he enjoys society, and
second, because he believes in democratic
customs, and does not wish to be considered
exclusive