The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-01-07
THE NATIONAL THURSDAY

word for everybody" He could only say of the
President: Poor Jenny Madison
wITHERED LITTLE APPLEJoHN!"
Madison enjoyed hearing and telling good
stories. and often engaged in this diversion at
his receptions.
In 1874 the British captured the city Of
Washington and burned the White House. On
Jan. i, 1915, the reception was held at the resi-
dence of Col John Tayloe-an odd-looking
house, known as the "Octagon," from its pecu-
liar shape, situated at the corner of New York
avenue and Eighteenth street. While the
White House was being rebuilt temporary
quarters for the President and his family were
provided at Pennsylvania avenue and Nine
teenth street, and there the last two of Presi-
dent Madison's receptions were held.
The Executive Mansion was so near compile
ton by March 4, 1917, that President Monroe
took possession Immediately after his inaugura-
tion. Mr.. Monroe was not much of a society
man. and the receptions languished somewhat
under his Administration.
John Quincy Adams, who succeeded him, was
the first to really popularze the New Year recep-
tons, by extending general invitation to the
public. irrespective of class or condition. From
that day to this the White House has always
been crowded with guests on New Years Day.
No climatic conditions or stress of weather can
keep the people away whenever the opportunity
is given to shake the hand of the President
Mr.. Adamss first reception was notable one.
Among the guests were the Marquis de Lafay-
cite and his son, Webster, Calhoun, Clay,
Hayne, Andrew jackson, Rufus King, Har-
rson, Otis, Van Rensselaer, and other noted men
of the time Mr. Adams had but one term as
President, but he advanced the New Year
receptions a long way toward their present
brilliant stage. 1t was during his Administra-
tion that
THE JENKINS" OF THE PRESS
made his first appearance at the White House.
He attempted to describe, in the old InteHtgehcer,
the dresses worn by prominent ladies, but he
made sorry work of it as compared with the
ornate efforts of the present day The under
taking would seem to have been too much for
him, as nothing of the sort appeared again for
several years But he gradually recovered him.
self, and at length became an indispensable
adjunct of all such occasions. Now no we'll
regulated daily newspaper would think of pre-
sentng its readers with an account which did
not tell all about what the ladies had on.
About 1880 the first private houses in Wash
iugton were opened to callers on New Years Day.
For some years before it had been customary
for ladies to make calls on that day, sometimes
in their wraps and at others in full dress. The
plaa of staying at home and receiving their
friends of the other sex was at first regarded as
an Innovation but it gradually grew i'll favor
and became generally contagious 1t was soon
the recognized and established custom for the
ladies to let the gentlemen do the calling on
that day.
In 1929 Andrew Jackson entered the White
House. He followed in the social path of Mr..
Adams and his New Year receptions were more
largely attended than any had been before.
cold Hickory" did much to make them popu-
lar. People focked to them by hundreds many
coming great distances to attend them. He
continued the practice of providing light re-
freshments of which all were free to partake.
Upon one occasion he had placed upon the table
for the multitude an immense cheese, sent him
by admiring friends in New York. The crowd
manifested something of the unSeemly eager
ness that marks the patrons of the free lunch
of to-day. The result was that much of the
cheese found its way to the floor, under the
tread of many feet, and the carpet was utterly
ruined.
MARTIN VAN buren,,
who came in next, took warning from his
predecessors experience with the cheese, and
discontinued the refreshment feature of the
day, so far as the public was concerned. 1t has
never been resumed Mr.. Van Buren had
courtly, dignitied bearing, and in manner was
studiedly polite. His receptions were elegant,
but stiff and formal, and characterized by less
warmth and geniality than those of Jackson.
Gen. Harrison did not live till the first New
Year after his Inauguration. His death, and
that of President Tylers wife soon after his
succession to the chair, made this Administra-
tion a gloomy one from social point of view.
1t was only frightened up at the last, when
the weeds of mourning were laid aside and Mr.
Tyler remarked, two years after his bereave-
ment. a.r r.a.sS
Millard Fillmore, who filled the Presidential
vacancy created by the death of Gen. Zach.
Taylor, is said to have been the most scientific
ally polite man who was ever master of the
White House. No other President, before nor
since, was able to throw so much friendship,
of shaking hands. He could make the humblest
citizen feel that he-the humblest citizen-was
conferring an inestimable boon by permitting
him--the Presdent-to take his-the humbleSt
citizen's-hand. Mr.. Fillmore's receptions par
took largely Of this characteristic, and out
shone in style" and courtlinesS those of all
his predecessors.
President Pierce's Administration was not
socially brilliant. Mrs Pierce was in mourning
for the death of her son, and took very little
part in the subdued festivities of the White
House.
In 1857 Mr.. Buchanan became President
During his term, notwithstanding the mutter-
ings that betokened the coming conflict, and
filled many hearts with anxiety, the receptions
advanced step farther in social magnficence
than ever before. 1t was not Buchanan-who
was crusty bachelor, stiff and stately in his
politeness-that made these occasions such
great events to society people. 1t was the tact
and charming ways Of his niece,
MISS HARRIET LANE,
whom he installed as the lady of the White
House. The selection was sngularly fortu
nate one. Rosy checked, auburn haired, vi
vacious and accomplished, she made exception
ally brilliant in social way an Administra
tion that would otherwise have been dull
enough. Under her management the New
Year receptions were events to be eagerly
ticipated and long remembered. Miss Lane
married a Baltimore merchant She is now
living in that city wealthy, but cbildless
widow. Death has robbed her Of all her domes-
tic treasures and left her alone.
James Watt was gardener for all the Presi-
dents from Polk to Lincoln, inclusive, period
Of 20 years During all this time he lived in
| the White House and knew the goings out and
| the comings in of its occupants. He tells that
| Mr.. Buchanan never once spoke to him during
the whole of his four years until abont to leave
| on the day of Mr.. Lincoln's Inauguration. Then
| he gave him his hand and bade him good-by, as
! he did to all the attendants. A friend called
| Mr.. Buchanans attention to the fact that this
man had been his gardener for four years, and
| the ex-President then seemed to realize for the
! first time how remiss he had been to so faithful
a member of his HOUSEHOLD. With no little emo
| tion he asked Mr.. Watts forgiveness for his
| neglect.
Mr.. Lincoln was President during troublous
! times when more important matters than re-
| ceptiOuS and dinners absorbed public attention.