The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-07-15
THE PRESIDENTS LIBRARY.
Description of the Room In Which Mr..
Cleveland Receives Visitors.

The library at the White House, the room
in which the President receives visitors by
card, is similar in size and shape to the
Blue Parlor on the main floor, but differs in
color. In the library the ceiling and walls
are painted dark brown and the dark red
leather furniture harmonizes perfectly.
Comfortable looking arm chairs and luxu-
rious sofas abound in this apartment, which
faces south, and is lighted by three large
windows directly over the porch which leads
out upon the lawn. Between the windows
is placed the desk at which the President
works, and portraits of ex-President James
Monroe and Thomas jefferson flank the
heavy encountered receptacle of State docu-
ments Under the administration of Presi-
dent Arthur, the library was made O very
comfortable office room, and the walls,
erstwhile painfully bare and glaring, were
covered with portraits of former occupants
Of the White House, while the lower por-
lions of the wall were concealed behind
handsomely carved bookcases containing
standard works of literature. On o small
stand at the left of the Presidents desk there
is reduced equestrian statue of Andrew
jackson, modelled after the one now in
Lafayette square, and beside this stands an
easel containing an electrotyped shield de-
plotting scenes from Millions Paradise
Lost" A square waste basket, made of oak
to match the desk, is placed at the right
hand of the President, and revolving,
high, cane back chair completes the outfit
Papers are piled in seemingly confused
mass all over the top of the desk and hide
the leather cover, but they are kept in place
by cunningly wrought paper weights of
every conceivable shape and pattern. In
writing the President uses a steel pen and
redwood penholder, and he puts his sigma
ture to document only after mature delib-
GRAFTON. Nothing is done hurriedly in the
library, and the calm demeanor of the 90.
cupant of the cane seat chair has very re.
assuring effect upon the busy nervous visi.
tor who may be ushered into the apartment
from the Cabinet room, for it must be borne
in mind that the room in which the Cabinet
meets twice week only serves the purpose
of an ante-room to the Presidents office,
the door, Charlie Loefier, the janitor, ush
ers them into the waiting ROOM as il is often
termed. Usually when visitor enters the
library the President rises and greets him,
and If the call is merely one of respect he
does not resume his chair until after he has
said "good day" In order that his time
may not be imposed upon the President has
large mantel clock of black marble and
bronze Immediately on his right, and the
ornaments Of the mantel are two graceful
bronze figures and generally a couple Of
potted plants from the conservatory. From
his windows the President can, by turnina
In his chair, have an unobstructed view of
the Virginia and Maryland hills, the Poto-
mao River, Washington Monument, Airing
ton, the Government carp ponds, and the
exquisitely laid out grounds at the south of
the White House. Consequently this is q
very agreeable resort for the President, and
he spends the greater portion of his time in
this room. Some of the ex Presidents whose
pictures adorn the walls are Andrew John
son, John Adams and William Henry Har-
rison-all in uniform-sized and designed
frames. white marble fire place is further
frightened by two tall, highly polished brass
andirons, upon which the hickory wood ia
laid, in readiness to be ignited at a momenti
notice.
The desk at which the President sits was
presented to the United States by Queen
Victoria during the Hayes administration,
and was formerly part of the Arctic relief
vessel Resolute, which went in search of Sir
John Franklin. After.numerous encounters
with the ice in the polar regions the Reso-
lutte became disabled, and was found drift
ing hslplessly by United States man-of-
war. It was towed into harbor, refitted
and returned to England by this govern
ment, and when finally broken up some of
the pieces were utilized for the desk at
which the President of the United States
transacts his business. On q small silver
plate imbedded in the woodwork is an up
propriate inscription which gives the details
of how and when the Resolute was found
and finally disposed off, Washington Post
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