Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-05-29
JacksOnian TnlgaritY.

A dispatch from Harrisburg, Pa, pub.
lished in the New York Sun, gives the fol.
lowing pertinent story, which James Buch.
anan used to tell about President Jackson
ga famous Baltimore lady, one of the
leaders in society of that day, and related
to an English family of title, had spent 4
| long time in England during Jackson's ad.
ministration, her family connections admit.
ting her to the inner circles of aristocratic
and royal society. George the Fourth was
then King, and a short time before she left
England to return to America she was pre-
sented to bim. He gave her message to
Jackson, which he requested her to deliver
in person to the President. The reputation
his political enemies had made for Jackson
was such that the lady was most unfavor-
ably impressed, never having met him..
She was very much disinclined to a per.
sonal interview, but having undertaken to
carry out the wishes of King George, she
determined to undergo the trial, prepared
to be gently shocked at what she might see
and hear. She was well acquainted with
James Buchanan, and she sent for him and
solicited him to accompany her on her mis-
sion and introduce her to the President.
81 went with her," Buchanan used to
say, in telling the story, "and, leaving her
in the reception room, went to the Presi-
dents room to arrange for the Interview
found him alone. His face was covered
with bristling beard of several days
growth. He had on q dressing gown
which was very much soiled and much the
worse for wear. He was smoking an old
pipe. 1t was disheartening moment for
me, for to present the refined and elegant
lady to the President of the United States
in such attire and personal upcouthness
seemed to me but little better thSn a
national disgrace. told the General about
the distinguished woman who had come to
seek an introduction to him, and made bold
to say:
"But, General, you ought not to see her
without making an appropriate toilet
"The grim old soldier took his pipe out
of his mouth, stretched himself to his full
height, shot fiery look at me from be-
meath his shaggy eyebrows, and exclaimed:
Buchanan, / knew a man once who
succeeded admirably In getting along,
simply by minding his own business
"He told me to go back and wait with the
lady, and he would see her in moment.
returned to the reception room and awaited
the Presidents coming in torture Of sus-
pense. In short time Jackson entered the
room. He was neatly sbayen, and il plain
but correct attire. y more dignitsd and
courtly presence could not we'll bs imagined.
A heavy load was lifted from me. l intro
duced the lady and retired to await the ter
mination of the interview. From what she
had said to me l could see that she was
anxious to make it short as possible, and l
was therefore surprised when an hour had
passed and she was still talking with the
man she had been led to believe was little
better than wildcat. She finally appeared,
escorted to the door by the President. She
was radiant. l handed her into her car
riage and asked her what she thought of the
grim and much-abused Jackson"
81 am captivated," she replied. 81 nsy-
er SO enjoyed an hour. l have been at all
the courts Of Europe, and can truly say
that at none Of them have 1 ever seen
man who in elegance OF manners could
compare with Gen. jackson. While in-
tensely digniied, they were 80 kind that
my dread disappeared in an instant, and
before know 10 w.s c-ptiVated. lt will
never do for any one to charge Gen. Jack.
son with vulgarity in my presence again y
Buchanan always told that story with
great relish.