The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1886-12-09
THE MISTRESS or THE WHITE
HOUSE lN PRESIDENT BucHAh-
ANS TIME.

Phlladelphia Times.
In the array Of beauty, which dis
tinguishes the daughters Of Pennsyl-
vania among the fairest Of their
country women among the foremost
In her day was Harriet Lane. The
powerful and great Of the two cOnti-
Dents paid homage 10 her charms of
person, OF manner aud Of mind. At
the court Of Victoria, the Sovereign
of Great Britain, she was the object
Of special attention and admiration
from the Queen, the members Of the
royal family and the nobility. At
the republican court 81 her distin-
guished uncle, James Buchanan,
fifteenth President Of the United
states, she was a queen I'm her own
realm, recognized and applauded by
statesmen, Generals, politicians aad
people. and beloved Of her own sex in
every grade Of the social scale at the
national capital. Although nearly
three decades have elapsed since this
Pennsylvania queen reignPd In the
full glory Of presiding lady Of an eX-
ceptiOnally brilliant regime at her
Executive MansiOn-and by virtue Of
her station was recognized rs the first
lady Of the lsnd-the remembrance of
those days constitutes one OF the
brightest "reminiscences In the social
experiences OF many that survived
the turmoils Of rebellion and mutua-
tiOns of politics, and still share in the
gayeties Of the fashionable world at
the seat Of the National Government.
On PARK street, In one Of the most
aristOcratie portions Of the City of
Baltimore, in plain but stately man
sion, surrounded by all the comforts
Of wealth aud the souvenirs Of the
public career OF her uncle and her
own social triumphs In England aud
America, lives this historic woman.
Thong past middle age, she preserves
every trace Of that beauty Of face and
form which contributed 80 much to
the potency of her sway when IN the
zenith Of her social career. AS she
entered the drawing-rOOm she looked
even more beautiful Ia her robes Of
widow hood and motherhood, robbed
by the relentless harvester, OF her
young son. Against the wall hung
Sir John Watson GOrhOn's picture OF
the Prince Of Wales, presented 20 Mr..
Buchanan by Englaud's sovereign In
recognition Of the Inequalities shown
her son du.ing his visit to the United
States in 1850 Marble busts and
articles Of vertu were distributes
around the room. A picture OF
Henry Elliot Johnston, the idol Of
her young maiden heart and the hus-
hand Of her later years, presented the
features Of a person Of fine presence
and amiAbility Of character.
MY FecolieetiOns OF these earlier
days" said this queenly woman. after
"a cordial greeting, seating herself,
are very vivid. / have preserved the
most important events Of my life at
the court OF st. James and the White
House in the form Of notes. II has
often been suggested that prepare
these Ia a connected shape, 30 that
they may be IL condition for pnblieas
ton, but shrink from giving such
prominence 70 events which are not
only private, bot recall some OF the
earliest memories Of my life. do not
object 20 recalling these scenes in q
life spent among the titled persOnages
Of the Old World and the great men
Of our own country, but dislike Civ
ing them publicity. Many Of the
principal figures In these scenes have
passed aWay, but many still remain.
/ cherish the memories Of the dead
and the living alike and realize how
favored / was In having such OppOr-
tunities. Ny life now Ia little spent
Ia social affairs. / have my home
here, Ia which I have preserved the !
souvenirs Of the past, and which bring |
up many pleasant "reminiscences"