Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-08-13


part at the polls in November.
BLANco.
IN VAN BUREN'S TIME.
How They Lived I'm Washington
Fifty Years Ago.
"Forty years." said John A. Gray to
Star reporter, few days since, "makes
much difference in the personnel of fash
ionable society at the Capital, as well as
in custom. l may say" continued MIR.
Gray, "that have been connected with
society for nearly half a century. l was
born in 1929, and when ten years old l
entered the service OF the Austrian
Minister, who lived in Morcoe House,
on | street, between Twentieth
and Twenty-tirst streets. That was
my introduction to the society peo-
pie as a house-boy. 1 lived with him
till the fall of 1910, and had the good
fortune to obtain employment at the
White House. William Ingram, a col
ored man. was President Van Buren's
private messenger. and when left the
Austrian Minister'S, went to him to
ask for something to do. He at once en-.
gagged me and took me to the White
House, where l was regarded as house
boy, and my principal duties were to
wait on Major Abraham Van Buren,, the
Presidents son and private secretary
The President was widower, and the
Majors wife was the mistress of the
mansion. The family consisted of the
President, Major and Madame Van
Buren,, and sometimes John and Smith
Van Buren,, the sons, would come on
from New York and make stay of few
days or weeks.
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTIONS.
"The White House was then as it is
now. the scene of receptions or levees,
but probably none of them were at
tended by one-fourth the members
that 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 dining-room,
where there were refreshments, including
egg .nog and apple-jack, roast pig and
roast turkey, with bread and pickles.
Then once a week in the winter
season the President would hold recep-
ton at night, and Madame Van Buren,
would hold weekly day reception.
During the season state dinners would
be given once week, the Supreme
Court and Diplomatic Corps, Cabinet
and other prominent officials, members
of Congress and distinguished citizens in
turn being the invited guests. These
dinners were given in the state dining
room, and the menu included soup, fish,
boiled ham and turkey, with maccaroni,
bouillion of beef with tomatoes, Just then
coming in use, turnips, carrots and pota
toes made into sauce; saddle of veni
son with currant jelly, canvasback duck,
plum or cabinet pudding with cream
sauce, ice cream and cake, fruits and
nuts, champagne, sherry and Madeira.
This dinner was served in the English
style, the carving being done by the
head walters on the side tables, and the
other walters serving the table. I do
not remember of cigars being passed as
at present This dinner occupied about
three and one-half hours, and by 10
o'clock mos of the guests had departed.
OF courGe, the President had his party
friends, but men of all parties felt at
home within the walls of the White
House, and around the festive board all
political aspirations were forgotten.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
"Among those who were frequently at
the dinners and receptions were Daniel
Webster, Henry Clay, John G. Calhoun,
Chief Justice Taney, Major-General
Wool, DR.. Lawson, Surgeon-General of
the Army; Senator Benton of Mis-
souri,, Crittenden of Kentucky, Mason of
Virginia, Butler of South Carolina and
the Cabinet officers"
"Were the guests simple in their
tastes ?" asked the reporter.
Eyes, SIR" answered the veteran "but
at state dinner, or when dining out,
they were apt not to show it. 1t was ex-
pected that each course should be dis
cussed. Take Mr.. Webster, for instance.
A fitch of bacon, calves liver and corn
grits made up the best part of his break
fast. At dinner, pork and beans "a la
Boston, roast turkey and cranberry Jelly
were his standard dishes. He was ex-
ceedingly fond of frog legs, and usually
took glass of wine and fell asleep in his
chair. He entertained royalty, and the
dishes at his table would tempt the most
capricious appetite.
PLAIN LIvERs.
~ "Mr. Crittenden, who lived on H
street, between Ninth and Tenth streets.
was 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
kale, was well-nigh a hobby with
him. Mr.. Clay boarded the most of his
time, but often breakfasted Sunday morn
ings with DR.. .Crump, ofVirginia, who lived
on K street, near Eighth street, and who,
believe, was bachelor. Mr.. Badger, of
North Carolina, Messrs. Clay, Calhoun,
Butler, Crittenden and Thomas 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. Senator Benton was rather
a high liver, and entertained hand
somely at his residence on G street, be-
tween Third and Four-and-a half streets.
Hon. Reverdy Johnson, who lived
on Capitol Hill, enjoyed high living.
Canvas-back duck and Southdown NUT
ton were favorites with him, and during
his dinner he took champagne, ending
with glass of cognac. Invariably he
took short nap of not over fifteen min
utes after dinner, and believe he kept
it up all his life.
GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT,
Who you remember" said Mr.. GRAY,
lived over at the Chain House (the De
Demenour building, on H street, between