The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-05-31
THEIR PET HOBBIES
Peculiarities and EccentricitieS
of Leading Women.
JEALOUSY OF MRS. LINCOLN
Mrs. Harrison's Collection of Old Furniture
Mrs. Palmers Weakness for Dogs-Miss
Eustis Ignores Fashionable Society.

Mrs. Palmer's Weakness for Dogs-Mlss
Eustis Ignores Fashionable Society.
WASHINGTON, May 81, 1S91.-[Special cor
respondence to The HERALD The world
is full of fads, so full in fact that small
space is left for more substantial culture,
though as a mass, the men and women of
the period are distinguished in many re-
specss above the average class of society
whose doings and sayings have been
handed down as typical of the elegance and
culture that marked the age of our fore
fathers, when solid worth and sterling in
tegrity were the only sure stepping stones
TO the attainment of public favor and high
Office.
MRS. PRESIDENT LINCoLN's IRREGULARITIES.
Probably no more eccen trio woman ever
reigned supreme in the White House than
the wife Of President Lincoln, though few,
If any, of her predecessors or successors
have entirely escaped the impeachment
Mrs. Lincoln's most distinguishing weak
ness was an innate jealousy of disposition
that Outlines proved a sore trial TO her
large hearted impulsive husband, who in
the chfldlike simplicity of his nature was
constantly guilty of rousing this little
demon in the breast of his ''better half
Mr.. Lincoln WIS proverbially disregardful
Of ali the lesser rules of etiquette that held
such an important place in the estimation
OF mis- wife, and for nearly two years fol-
lowing their advent into the White House.
Mrs. Llncoln'S feminine wrath was stirred
at the determined action of her liege lord
to ignore her right of precedence upon
every occasion of public reception orc Of
hclal entertainment 1t was the custom of
cur chlet executive in those days as in the
present, to take advantage of the period
Following the close of a large evening re-
ceptlon to promenade through the suite of
apartments thronged with eager sight
SeerS and prominent officials.
Passing through the line that opened on
either side TO admit of their approach, and
followed by members of the Cabinet pres
ent the President would make the entire
circuit before the final hour for the closing
of the doors. Ii was President Linccin's
custom to waive all precedent upon such
occasions, and Offering his arm to the first
lady to whom he happened to turn in the
fancy OF the moment, without regard to her
omclal standing, ne would lead the way
through the rooms, leaving Mrs Lincoln TO
follow with " homsoever a kind fate award
ed her among the officials present. This
state OF affairs, however, did not happen TO
agree with this lady's preconceived notions
OF etiquette, and the irate mistress of the
White House never lost an opportunity of
lmpresslng upon her husband her disap-
proval OF his breach of the usual rule in her
case, for she was often heard TO remark:
eff the President by right of precedence
ranks hrst among officials, should not his
Vile by the laws OF church and state stand
second TO none! Thus to her alone above
all others is due the honor of taking her DO
sltlon by his side upon all and every oc-
caslon Of public appearing" Many and
sore were the lectures given to the delln-
quent by the outraged spouse, but it was
+ully two years before the wife prevailed
and succeeded in her determination to bring
the President to regard the matter with
the Importance of her own views, instead
OF Ignoring the question, or passing it by
with light laugh or genial response so
characteristic OF the easy-going, tender
hearted nature of the man.
MRS. HARRIsoN's TWO FAps.
In her artistic temperament, Mrs. Harri-
son's eccentricities all combine in a passion
for the beautiful whether in nature or art.
and her enthusiastic devotion to painting
has often proved q severe strain upon her
overtaXed strength. Yet in spite of the
thousand ALI one demands attendant upon
her elevated position, her regular attend
ance upon the studio classes was seldom
omitted, even during the height of the sea.
sons gaities. Another eccentricity. if such
II can be termed, that will ALWAYS distiu-
gulsh Mts. Harrlson's reign as mistress OF
the White House, is her earnest effort to
gather together all the scattered treasures
In the shape Of articles of furniture and odd
pieces of brio brac that have from time
TO time been disposed TO make room for
new things at the Executive Mansion,
Though up to the present date compare
lively small returns have rewarded her
efforts, yet the little seed once sown, it
will not be long before the perfected bloom
IN the form of one of the most historically
valuable collections will reward her pa
trlotlc zeal. Already many ardent sympa
thlzers are theoretically, though quietly
at work collecting chance pieces that have
through successive changes wandered fan
from their original use, most probably laiC
away for long years unnoticed and forgot
ten IN some dusty garnet or public work
shop.
MRS. MoRToN's EXERCISE
Mrs. Morton is a woman of sterling
practicability, and among cabinet ladie:
there is no better or more judicious house
keeper than the handsome wife of OIL
vice-president. Mr.. Morton's hobby in re
gard TO the taking of regular exercise
amounts to an eccentricity. No matter
how busy the DAY or crowded the season
with official obligations in her case too i'm
perative to DE lightly regarded or thought
lessly ignored, she may be seer
regularly indulging in her brisl
constitutional the length OF one of tn,
broad avenues that intersect the command