Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-03
PRESIDENTS WIVES.
sxxrcHEs OF DANES REeNANr IN THE
WHITE HOUSE.
a sactession Of Brilliant Social Leaders
The Republican Court at the
National Capital.
tps,on Herald,


lHoston Hers'dl
Ukav very striking aud suggestive fact
IN the social history Of this country that
many Of the wives Of our popularly-elected
Presidents have possessed social accom-.
plisbmepis and graccs which might well
beft the hereditary princesses Of royal
courts. Indeed, Il r very rarely that the
royal court Of any European country has
been presided over by such an almost con.
slant succession OF elegant aud brilliant
women "A those who have been called upon
TO dispense the hospltalities Of the White
House. II we look at the history OF the
English court, for instance, we have to go
back more than two centuries 70 End Queen
conspicuous for beauty and social tai
ents. Vet, within the period OF n century,
our republican court las been adorned by
a number OF women who have been d'stin.
euishcd by attractive personal and socisl
qualities. While. during that century, the
leadership az the English court has been
held by the homely and quite inelegant
Queen Charlotte, the prosaic and retiring
Queen Adelaide. and the naughty, heavy,
domestic Queen Victoria. that OF our presi'
Dental mansion has been occupied by Mrs.
washington and Mrs. John Adams. Mrs.
Madison and Mrs. John Quincy Adams,
Ms. Polk, Miss Harriet Lane, and
Mr.. HAYES. President Cieyellnd's wed.
ding. and the consequent installation OF
new mistress OF the White House, suggest
the marital status OF our Presidents.
Washington, John Adams. Madison. Mon
roe, J. Q. Adams, Harrison, Polk, Taylor,
Fillmore, Pierce, Lincoln, Grant, HAYES,
and Garfield were married meu during
their presidential terms. The Presidc9ts
who we're widowers when they held the
ofI;ce were Jefferson, Jackson, Van Buren,.
and Arthur. Tyler was widower
when he succeeded 10 the presl-
,,eney. hut married Ml.s Julia Gar
diner In New York during his
term Of Office. Buchanan and Cleveland
Were the only bachelors who have occuDied
the Cbiti Executive chair, and now Clese-
lands marriage leaves "Old Buck y as the
SOLITARY bachelor on the presidential roll.
OF the wives Of the married presidents,
Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Fillmore, aud Mrs.
Pierce we're iuyalds during the period that
thew lived in the White House; were seen
little or none Ut all by toe society wbicn
ireauentod IL, and do not appear proml'
nently in the social annals OF their day,
AT TUE BEAD or THE LIST
of Presidents wives who became famous
for their fitness % hold high social station
am,roprialely stands the name Of Martha
Washington. The social duties Of the fist
official family IN the young republic were
finely, even nobly, fulfilled by Mrs. or tls II
wps the custom IN her day To call herr
"Iady" Washington. AT the time thi
Washington was President, Americans ofthe
weather. and more intelligent class, though
they bad aided In throwing of the British
nom the social customs and ceremonies
initiated from London society. The capitll
of the United States in the earlier years OF
WashingtOn's presidency was New York;
end aftr his Inauguration be and his fam
ily occupied q house at the corner of what
Is now Cherry street and Franklin square.
They afterward removed 10 Broadway, not
far from the Bowling Green. In these
mansions, though the edlfces themselves
were only old-fashioned colonial residences,
something not unlike royal 81 ITO was kept
up by the President aud his wife. VAN
inetou drove about New York in creanl-
colored coach, decorated with frescOed
eupids bearing festoons OF flowers,
ard drawn by six horses. Mrs. Wash
ington held her receptions on Friday
evenings from TO 10. These receptions
were very select and exclusive. In those
times It was not regarded as necessary
homage 20 Republican institutions TO admit
oil the world in crowding thrOng 10
presidential receptions. The etiquette of
Lady" Washington's leyces was not
very burdensome, but snch as it was IL was
rightly exactcd. II was always necessary
10 appear In full dress, and the preSenta-
tons to the President and his lady were
made with couTt'y formality. Refresh
ments. which in the main wore restricted
10 the simplicity OF tea or coffee and cake,
were served at the levees by liy-
cried slaves. Mrs. Washington was
very resolute in closing her Ieyees
proinrtly at 10 O'clock. General
Washington" she once remarked 10
her guests, with quiet dignity all her own,
.retires at 10 O'Clock, and / usually pre-
cede him. II Is agreed by all the writers
Of the Washington period-eyen by those
who were politically most hostile TO the
"cbiei u-that nothing could exceed the
dignity. grace. and quiet, stately good hu.
NOR with which his wife presided over his
household and dispensed his hospiIalities.
noted beauty in Virginia In her youth
she was undoubtedly still fine-look'
ing, with distinguished air. when,
ma an elderly matron, she held the
mace OF the first lady m the land. She was
little below medium height, OF full figure,
with stately carriage, quiet aud undemon-
sfral,ye manners, and an amiable expires.
sion OF countenance. While she was not
noted for brilliant conversational powers,
abe talked well and held her own In distn-
gulshed companies, which contained men
like Hamilton. Jay, the Liyingstons, Jei-
ferson, and Robert Morris, and the brilliant
female leaders Of the high New York and
afterward Philadelphia society.
THERE WAS VERY MARKED CONTRAST
between Mrs. Washington, the stately.
aristocratic dame from Virginia, and the
New England country parsons daughter
who succeeded her on the social throne Of
the republic. Abigail Adams, however,
epioys a still surviving fame, only second
10 that OF Martha Washington herself.
Her letters are still read with interest and
delight by all who like TO linger on the early
annals Of our history rs apeople. She was
a model OF substantial, shrewd Yankee
sense. She was not woman Of remarkable
learning, but her mind was naturally
Quick and observant, and she had lived
In European courts as the wife OF the
Minister Of the young United States. As
has been well said Of Abigail Adams, she
was can accomplished woman, pare.
hearted patriot, and worthy partner OF
elevated position her grace and elegance,
with her charms OF conversation, were rev.
dered more attractive by Der frank sinceri'
w." Her keen powers OF observation anc
her clear judgment gave her great persona
influence over men and affairs. Her cheer
fulness and anectionate sympathy sustained
President Adams's spirit, and ait was hen
part IN life TO calm agitations, heal the rank
ling wounds Of pride and pluck away tho
root OF bitterness"
II was In the last year OF President
Adams's term Of Office that the seat OF our
Government was removed from Philadel-
pbia 10 Washington, and Abigail Adams
was the first Presidents wife 10 hold
leyees on the banks Of the Potomac. Per.
haps the most vivid picture OF Washington
81 Il was IN its metropolitan infancy Is x
he found in Mrs. Adams's own letters, fol
abe was a very delightful as well AS yer.
proh1e letler-wfiter. she speaks OF tn
new presidential mansion as ION grant
ana superb scale, requiring about thirt
servants 60 attend and keep the apartment
In proper order and perform the ordinar
business of the house and stables. TIL
lighting tho apartments from the kitche
20 parlors and chambers Is tax indeed
and the fires We are Obliged u keep 10 Sc