Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-15
FORTY YEARS AGO.
II lcceuat 81 President PUlk's. Last
Public Reception.
ROOMS and CROWDS MUCH THE SANE.
washington star,

heading OF an article, "A Tip W wac"
ington." caught the eye. 1t was found
to be q description Of reception al '"e
White House and was printed In Septem-
Der. ls49. The account is the third IN
series OF articles "By Jonathan ana Is as
follows:
Ieyec was held by President POLK al
the presidential mansion on wednesday
evening of the last week OF his admins
tration. We had never witnessed one Oh
these occasions In our own country ana
were somewhat eager to attend Tor tne
purpose OF paying our respects to the re-
firing President, as well as observing the
display Of republican court life at the me-
tropols. Before the hour Of reception we
went TO see the exterior OF the mansion
and its adjacent grounds. The white
House. is one Of the metropolitan lions"
Every visitor must, OF course. glance at
II. and It is really well worth visit.
for. Notwithstanding some croaking crit
ics, it, position is beautiful and the struc-
ture itself not little imposing.
The mansion Is constructed OF white
freestone. II consists of two stories
,s 40 feet in front and SC deep Its north
ern front presents an imposing poftico
of Ionic columns. beneath which the
carriages of visitors drive. Spread out
before the portico is an ample inciosed
arena, well planned with gravel Walks:
but the chief attraction OF which Is
spirited bronze statue Of Jefferson tha'
stands I'm the centre II Is considered one
of the best specimens Of art in this coun-
try. The figure is defined with minutest
exactness and skilh the likeness as said
TO be quite accurate, and the attitnde
and expression are remarkably. appropri-
ate. The great Democrat sta, ds on
pedestal. holding in his night hand "A
pen. while from his left depends 'he
'Declaration of Independence" The mo-
ment represented by the artist Is that
In which the document was finished;
and the expression Of the face ard whole
figure is true TO the time. There IL On
the countenancs spirited yet serious
and determined air, such as We may
justly suppose to have sat upon the brow
of the statesman at the moment when
he completed the renowned paper. which
was destined to influence so much the
history OF the world. The whole decla-
ration Is legibly engraved on the bronze
scroll, with fac smile OF his autograph
appended. This fine work was executed
in Paris and presented to this country
by Captain Levy. who Is now owner
OF tHe mousse VI JtHSisoH IL &hohti-
cello.
LATE HOURS EVEN THEN.
The southern front of the white
Hons" commands a prospect which CON-
prehends the gardens of the mansion.
with their meandering gravel walks. and
q Gear view Of the Potomac. that widens
and curves here in grand and graceful
beauty There is, In fine, a mixed air
Of roominess and grace. of solidty and
lightness, about the whole mansion which
cannot fail Of pleasing effect. The levee
began nt o clock in the evening. though
the fashionable hour of arrival at he
rnansicn IS /, o'clock. We went early that
we might have full opportunity for our
observations We entered a .acye hall
from the pprtico on the northern 'front.'
aud were directed by the servalt5-tle
ladies' 20 the right and gentlerron TO The
left-into small apartments, where our
cloaky. hats. etc, were to be deposited.
not without risk of extensive exchanges
before midnight. Meeting again in the
hall. We fell into the current which had
already become dense and strong, and
were borne by IL into the reception-room.
so called. though the President and his
lady were receiving the throng in the next
apartment.
We passed out of the procession here TO
look around us a few minutes The paper
Of the apartment attracted attention by
its peculiar beauty 1t Is pearl-white
with delicate gilt figure. The whole gar
niture of the apartment is in fine taste.
The carpet Is wrought with figures OF
baskets of flowers on a fawn-colOred
ground. The centre-table is of white mar
Bile. The frame of the pier-table is richly
gilt, and covered with "a white marble top.
The chairs and sofas have similarly gilt
frames, and are covered with blue and
-. "A.
the same material, lined with red SILK.
The mirrors and a grand chandelier give
a beautiful effect TO the whole at night.
NOT A GREAT CHANGE.
Stepping again into the procession, we
were carried along into the next apart
ment. known as the "0rcen Room" 1t
is square. some thirty by twenty-five
feet. Gilt again predominates In the fur
niturc. and white and green damask in
ahc curtains and cushions. The floor is
covered by a dark Wilton carpet. Mir
rors and a brilliant chandelier enhance
its beauty. This was the reception-room
for the evening. President Polk and
his lady stood on line with the doors
Of entrance and exit. shaking hands
with or bowling cordially to all that
passed. They entered heartily into the
task. and "a most onerous one 1t was;
for IL Is estimated that at least five
thousand persons passed through the
apartments during the evening-the
largest number, probably. that ever
visited the house on one night.
The President looked remarkably well,
and overlooked with spirits and cordiali-
~. He is advancing down the vale Of
ears" His hair. sleekly combed behind
lis ears, Is quite gray, though 1t was
black when he entered the Executive re-
sdence. There Is certain staid. II not
tern, expression about his features which
sembles much the aspect Of the old
rthodox divines Of New England, as
seen In their portraits. He would pass
well for sound. steadfast' orthodox
clergyman. Mrs. Polk has earned dis
tinguished reputation by the propriety
and grace with which she has presided
at the presidential mansion. None of her
predecessors have excelled her. She is a
lady of high accomplishments: and these
are enhanced by strictly Christian senti-
ments and habits. Though, from her re-
ligious scruples, she banished dancing.
cards. and similar amusements from the
Executive residence. yet has she really
rendered II more attractive than ever
by the perfect amenity and social ease
which she has introduced into IL. She
was richly dressed on the present occa-
sion--too much SO. we thought for her
dignified position, which, certainly, needs
not an aristocratic display of finery and
wealth to secure II respect. Her manners
were marked by the utmost ease and
heartiness. and the crowd pressed about
her with such affection and eagerness
that 1t had to be barricaded of by stout
chair. The apartment rang with the warm
compliments and adieus which were pour
ed forth upon her from the passing null
titude.
GLORY OF THE EAST ROOM.
Falling again into the promenade. We
we're carried along into the East Room.
magnificent apartment. eighty feet long.
.orty wide. and twenty-five high. The
carpet. manufactured expressly for the
room. Is figured with the American eagle.
and woven Of orange. crimson. and brown
colors The chairs and sofas are Of ma
hogany. covered with splendidly Powered
worsted. The curtains are OF crimson dam.
ask. hanging from rich gilt mouutings.
Three large chandeliers light II. while
the black marble mantels the large and
rtchly-g mirrors. the vases marble