The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

Washington ut his official receptions greet
ed his visitors with bow, but without shak
ing hands. On these occasions he wore black
velvet short clothes, silver knee and shoe
buckles and yellow gloves. His hair was pow.
dered and gathered behind In a bag. lie car
red cooked hat In his hand and ut his side
hung long sword with glittering steel hit
and scabbard of polished white leather. AT
his private table he entertained with the dig
nifty, grace and hospitality of an old Virginian
gentleman. Many foreigners who visited the
United States during his first administration
were greatly impressed by the transformations
manner i'm which the president treated his
family guests. One English visitor in writing
of Il breakfast which she partook under the
presidents roof, says, "Mrs. washington
made tea and coffee there was sliced tongue,
dry toast and bread and butter. A single SER
want wearing no livery waited ON the table,
and a simple silver urn for hot water was
the only expensive piece of table furniture
The virllence of party strife during the adj
minstration of John Adams so greatly dis
turbed social harmony that the entertainments
were frequently characterized by GOODNESS
and severity that were anything but magnetic
in their effect. 1t is probable that the early
New England training of Mr.. and Mrs. Adams
had much to do with this result.
During the administration OF Thomas JET
ferson simplicity and dignity were the rule of
the American court AS it was OF the Ameri-
can government. Jefferson detested etiquette |
SO much that he rode unattended to his nau-
ruration. hitched his horse to post and went
alone I'D the capitol stairs to be madesthe
ruler of the nation. The Fourth of July and I
the LIST of January were his two public days
for the formal reception of company. At
other times all who desired TO do SO could call
upon him and be sure of welcome.
James Madison and his wife were famous
for their generous hospitality, and It was ex-
tended to the presidents bitterest political OPP
ponents. Dinner parties were given every
week and the beauty and fashion of the coun-
try met in the presidential drawing rooms
Mr. Madison possessed the old school elegance
of manners tOa remarkable degree and among
his intimate friends was humorous and enter
tanning. His wife "Doly" has likewise been
portrayed by history as one of the most char
ming Of the hOstesses who have graced the
White House.
Monroe was great stickler for etiqlette
once refusing admittance to near relative to
attend a reception at the White House because
unable to attend in short clothes and silken
hose.
The cold and apathetic manner Of John
Quincy Adams created both discomfort ths .ta and
nv % uJ hnhnaS av =
spoken OF ~ ms presiuen at.i nlgnness
Even ne cnllal .a camet nn'n .s no pies'seh'
Andrew Jackson was model OF republican
simplicity and frankness. AT the table his
guests were provided with TWO 1orksssVne OF
steel and the other OF silver, the presiuent al
ways choosing the former. His hospitality at
the White House was characterlzed ny the
same lavishness that had made the hermitage
to exc out his salary by drawing on his pr