The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-11

French cook and he entertained nrofuseiv-
The night of his first inauguration he gave
lunch to all who called at the White
House, and barrels of orange punch and
lemonade were made TO supply
Barrels of this punch were made. and IL
was carried into the East room in buckets.
Half II the people present were roughs
and they began to rush for the walters as
soon as they entered the room. The re-
suit was that the carpets were ruined by
the punch which was spilled upon them,
and many lady's dress was spotted. The
punch was finally served in the gardens
and IN this way the crowd was drawn off
from the White House. The White House
furniture was again spoiled during his adj
mlnistration at the time that the big
cheese was brought here. This cheese was
as big around as hogshead. 1t was about
yard thick and it was taken with great
ceremony from the North to Washington.
IL was cut with saw blades made into
knives, and was served out to the guests.
The cutting was done in the East room
and the greasy crumbs fell on the carpet
and were trampled in. 1t ruined the fur
niture to such an extent that after this
time no luncheons were served at tho
White House until the time of President
Hayes, and now no refreshments are
served at an ordinary White House recep-
ton.
PRESIDENT HAYES FAMOUS LUNCHEON.
President Hayes has been called impecti.
NOUS, but the fact is that he was perhaps
the most generous president who ever
occupied the White House. Both himself
and his wife gave many dinners and,
though he saved the $l1 900 which Thomas
Jefferson spent on wines during his adj
minlstration, he spent more than this in
other ways. His famous luncheon was
held IN February, 1881, and il was given in
honor OF the diplomatic corps. More than
1000 persons were present by actual count,
and $500 partook OF the refreshments Tho
terrapln used nlled two large wine barrels.
1t took 400 chickens to make the salads.
and there were great tanks of lemonade
and $50 gallons of coffee. The sandwiches
required 1000 loayes of bread, and $50
mans were cut up for the meat which went
into them. There were 1,000 quarts of leo
cream, which formed only part Of the
dessert furnished, and there were bushels
OF cake and great store boxes Of candy.
fifty walters were required TO serve the
guests, and it took ten dishwashers to
scrub the platters, SO that , 500 clean plates
were constantly on hand for the guests.
This luncheon cost &, 600. The guests were
invited by card, but n number of the COM
gressmen invited outsiders on their own
hook to go with them, and the affair was
one of the most mixed that has ever taken
place in the White House.
HOW OUR PRESIDENTS ARE IMPOSED UPON.
1t is not possible for any but tho in.
vited guests to 60 TO state dinner now.
but the invited receptions always contain
many outsiders In Van Buren's day it is
said that persons came to the White House
and said they would vote against him at
the election if they were not given good
breakfast, and Van Buren's cook said that
he had the greatest trouble in satisfying
them. Van Buren, entertained right roy
ally. He gave his dinners in the French
style, and his cook was Frenchman. JEFF
ferson had French cook, but John Tyler'a
servants were all brought from his Vir-
glnia plantation. Jeiferson's dinners be-
gan at and lasted until midnight. Some
of his dinners were held in the East room
and he found it hard to get enough money
to pay his market bills. Washington en-
tertained very well. His cook was ne
gro, named Uncle Harkless or Uncle Her.
cules, who strutted out of the presidential
kitchen under cooked hat, clothed in
knee-breeches and blue cloth coat and
promenade, carrying his gold-headed cane.
Washington paid him 500 year. WASH
ington's steward was man named Fraun-
ces, who liked good living and with whom
Washington continually quarrelled about
the marketing. One time he bought q
shad in February, and as Washington saw
it coming into the dining-room he was
charmed, and asked, ssWhat hsh is that ~
ut is shad," replied the steward. "A
very hne shad. 1t was the only one in the
market and bought it for you.
But what did you pay for itf" said
Washington sternly.
ut is very fine shad," continued thu
steward. land it is cooked to turn"
But want to know the price. The
price"
at cost three dollars" stammered out
Fraunces.
Take it away" said Washington as he
raised his hand, take it away. It shall
never be said that set such an example Of
luxury and extravaganza" And with
thar he drove the steward out of the room
and the shad was eaten in the servants
kitchen
Washington's state dinners were very
sober affairs. His guests looked upon him
as little god They laughed at his Jokes
and did not frown when he played on tho
table with his fork. The first state dinner
was given by Washington in May, 17S9, in
honor OF the arrival of Mrs. Washington in
New York, and state dinners have been
given regularly from that time to this.
HOW STATE DINNERS ARE ARaASGED.
1t is no small matter to get up a state
dinner. There will be four given this sea-
son and it may be that others will follow
later on. Every year the president dimes
the cabinet, the supreme judges, the diplo-
matte corps and the army and navy, and
he usually gives a number OF dinners to
the leading senator's and representatives
and their wives. Fifty-four is the largest
number of guests that can be well seated
at the state dining table, and invi tation1
are usually sent out for some number be-
tween thirty and nifty. These invitations
are engraved in fine heavy cards about SIX
inches long by five inches wide, and they
state that the President and Mrs. Harrison
request the pleasure of the company Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Blank at dinner on blank
date at blank O'Clock. This card bears the
coat of arms of the presidential mansion.
1t is put in tine envelope and is carried
by messenger. Private Secretary Hal.
ford aids in the arranging of these invita-
tons and he has something to say as to
the seating of the guests. The president
usually sits in the center OF one side Of the
table with the ladies whom be likes 70
honor on his right and left, and his wife
sits opposite between other honOred
guests. Invitations to state dinners are
usually sent out week in advance and
they must be accepted or declined within
three days. The usual hour for .
state dinner is p. m. The guests are ex~
pected TO come little before that time,
and after they have laid of their wraps
they go into the East room. where Mr.. and
Mrs. President Harrison await them. 40
soon as they enter the room an usher
hands the gentleman q small envelope con.
farming card and bearing the name a
the lady he will escort. On the diagram
the number of the seats he and his lady
will occupy are marked, and he looks -
this diagram as soon az he has been r0-
ceiyed by the president and then joins the
fadxy he - IN take in To dinner. All the