Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-30

IN PRESIDENT VAN BUREN's TIME.
How Distinguished Men Lived Forty
| Years Ago.
| RKNNIscENsEs OF CATERER GRAY-RoYAL ENTER
TANNERS But SIMPLE LIvKRs-PKCULIARITIEs Oh
| DANIEL wKBsTRR-wHAT GEN. SCOTT LIKED on
HIS TABLE.
Sporty years. said MI John A. Gray to star
reporter, few days since, "makes much differ
| ence In the personnel OF fashionable society al
the capital as well as in custom. may say" con.
| tinued Mr. Gray, 'that have been connected
with society people for nearly half century.
was born in 1923, and when ten years old entered
the service OF the Austrian minister who lived In
| the Morocco house, on street, between Goth and
21st streets. That was my introduction to the
| society people as houseboy. L lived
with him till the fall OF 1910,
and had the good fortune to obtain
| employment at the White House. VIM. ingram, a
| colored man, was President Van BurenS private
messenger and when left the Austrian minister
| went TO him to ask for something to do. He at
once engaged me and took me to the White House,
where was regarded as housebOy, and my prin-
cipal duties were to wait on MAJ Abraham Van
Buren,, the Presidents son and private secretary.
w vtss !, PRESIDENT was widower and the majors
consisted Of the President, Major and Madame
Van Buren,, and sometimes John and Smith Van
and make stay OF a few days or weeks
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTIONS.
The White House was then as 1t Is now the
scene OF receptions or levees, but probably none
| OF them were attended by one-rourth the men,
bers which attend them now. On New Years Day
the President not only received but entertained,
and after the visitors paid their respects they
found their way to the din1ng-room, where there
rOsa including and aps
bread and pickles. Then once a week
In the winter season the President would
Van Buren, would hold weekly day reception.
During the season state dinners would be given
once week, the Supreme Court, Diplomatic
Corps, Cabinet and other prominent officials. men,
bers OF Congress, and distinguished citizens in
turn being the invited guests. These dinners were
given In the state dining-room and the menu in
Guided soup, fish, boiled ham and turkey, with
maccaroni, bouilliOn OF beef with tomatoes, just
then coming in use, turn1pS, carrots and potatoes
made into sauce; saddle of venison with
net pudding with cream sauce, Ice cream and
cake, fruits and nj nuts, champagne, sherry
IN THE ENGLISH STYLE,
the carving being done by the head walters on the
side tables and the other walters serving the
table. do not remember Of cigars being passed
as at present. This dinner occupied about three
and one nall hours and by 10 o'clock most Of the
OF course, the President had his party friends,
put men OF all parties felt at home within the walls
all political aspirations were forgotten.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
Among those who were frequently at the dinners
and receptions were Daniel Webster, Henry Clay,
John c. Calhoun, Chief Justice fancy, Major Cen
WOOL Dr, lawson, Surgeon General OF the Army;
senator Benton. Of MISSOURI; Crittenden Of Ken
tuck; Mason, or Virginia.; Butler, of South Caro-
lima, and the Cabinet officers"
Were the guests simple In their tastes?' asked
Eyes, sir" answered the veteran; "but at state
dinner or when dining out, they were not apt TO
discussed. Take Mr.. Webster, for instance, A Hitch
OF bacon, calves liver and corn grts made up the
pest part OF his breakfast. AT dinner pork and
Deans "a la BoSton), roast turkey, and cranberry
jelly were his standard dishes. He was exceed
ngy ioad 81 frog legs, and usually took glass Of
royalty, and the dishes at his table would tempt
the most caprtcious appetite
PLAIN LINERS.
Mr.. Cr1ttenden, who lived on street. between
9th and 10th streets, was a very plain liver. At
breakfast his favorite dishes were ham and eggs
pork steak and hOminy; and at dinner roast beef
and mutton, with vegetables and smoked jowl, with
sprouts or kae, was well nigh hobby with him.
Mr.. Clay boarded the most OF his time but often
Dreakfasted Sunday mornings with DIR. Crump, Of
virginia, who lived on K street, near Sth street.
ana who believe was a bachelor. Mr. Badger
OF North Carolina; Messrs. Clay, Calhoun Butler
Crittenden, and ThoS. L. Smith formed this coterie
and after spending several hours they would go to
the house OF the latter to dinner and finish out the
day Standardization was rather high liver, and en-
tertained handsomely at his residence on street
between Sd and ~ streets. Hon. Reverdy John
son. who lived Capitol Hill, enjoyed high living
Canvas-back duck and Southdown mutton were
favorteS with him, and during his dinner he took
champagne, ending with glass OF cognac. Inva-
riably he took short nap OF not over 1fteen min
utes after dinner, and believe he kept 1t up all
his life."
''GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT,
who you remember" said Mr.. Gray, "lived over at
the Chain House the De Demenour building, on H
street, between 18th and 14th), and at 9th and d
streets, usually did his own marketing Though
royal entertainer, he was plain liver For break
last ne was fond OF fried bacon, smoked roe, Poto-
mac herring, soft boiled eggs corn-bread, mush
and cream. For dinner roast beef, and Maryland
ham, and game were his favorites. He was some
what peculiar as TO the ham, and insisted on its
being cooked according to his Instructions He re-
CURED the ham to be a country-cured Maryland
ham; that 1t should be put on in cold water and
payne was to be emptied In the pot, and 1t should
be boiled lightly till done He boarded
for for q, time p, at Mrs Mrs UIrichs tOn the
National, and for some time before the war at
Wormleys and it was his desire that his dinner be
set before him and The walters then leave him
alone TO enjoy it. l never saw him smoke cigar
or take glass OF whisky, but he was partial to
Wine Prlor 10 the Mexican war he was quite do
OF Mr.. VAN BUREN's CABINET.
"Mr. Poinsett though located In a small house.
entertained handsomely. Mr. G1lpin, the Attor-
ney-General, was very domestic in his habits.
When Mr. Van Buren, left the White House left
with him. On the morning OF March he LETT
going to the residence OF Mr.. Gilpin at the Twin
g. sterS on street. The party remained there TIL
March 8, and left by rail, going TO Baltimore where
stop Of two days was made. The party, num-
bering about fifteen, were received by the mayor
OF Baltimore and committee OF the councils and
escorted TO Barnums. stop OF two or three DAYS
was made in Philadelphia at Heads Mansion House,
and while there the President was serenaded by
Frank JOhnsOn's cOlored band. The mayor and a
commltte, OF the councils OF New York met the
President and party at the ferry, and escorted
them to the Carlton House, when, after stop OF
TWO days, the President and others accepted Mr.
Gilpin'S hospitality. He remained there till after
the Gen. Harrison mock funeral, in which Mr. Van
Buren, Joined, and left the following day for Kin
derho0k, where remained about six months and
then went TO sea, remaining year. After return
ing was the steward OF Secretary c. NJ. Conrad
opposite the Ebbitt, for three years. and then for
Secretary Guthrie, who took Mr.. Conrad's house
Just as 1t stood. Mr.. Guthrie entertained lavishly
but was himself simple in his tastes was one
year with secretary Jake Thompson, under Presi-
dent Buchanan, and then superintendent Jen
Davis entertainments before the war. also fur
nished Grants first inaugural reception for which
Was given carte blanche"
--->O>-
The Late EmperOr's Wife.