The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-04

room, while the women of his house
hold stood modestly in the background.
1t was owing to the semi-invalidism
Of President Tyler's wife that the du-
ties of first lady of the land devolved
upon Mrs. Semple, and none was better
htted to fulfill them than the gifted and
beautiful daughter of President and
Mrs Tyler, who was for a time vir-
tually the mistress of the Executive
Mansion, one of the fairest and noblest
1t has ever known.
Mrs Semple was a young matron
tnen. Mr.. Semple, who was paymaster
IN the United States navy, was absent
much of the time, Mrs. Robert Tyler
was a member of the presidential
household, but was occupied with her
young family, and Miss Elizabeth Ty-
ier' who afterwards married Mr.. Wal
leI was then but young girl.
Many are the interesting reminis-
cences which Mrs. Semple can relate
OF the life at the White House sixty
years ago. Though it was quite sim
PIE stlll there was certain dignified
ceremoniousness attached to 1t. The
early breakfast, midday dinner, af-
lernoon drive. and o'clock tea made
up the daily routine.
Inc women wore low necked gowns,
snort wasted and with scanty, clinging
shlrts' too short to conceal their dainty,
Algh heeled slippers. The hair was
worn parted smoothly on the forehead,
anu cluster of little curls almost hid
lne ears. Pretty faces and bright eyes
we're enhanced by the gay flowers and
noDons heaped in profusion on enor-
Hlous Leghorn bonnets, extending far
o.er the face, and cushions of hair, or
, .luer down held the huge LEG of NUT
'o III sleeves in shape.
me men were resplendent in bun
%%dstcoats, green coats, frilled shirt
l0ns and collars so high that they
M"H concealed the cheeks, and made
we turning of the head a difficult task.
Al was during Tyler's administration
W. W. dancing was introduced at the
"Il'e House, and owing to his daugh-
y. grace and wit the functions at
Nv executive mansion lost some of
Welr prim stiffness.
MIS Semple was her fathers con-
'aHt companion, and her ambition
""S TO be as good. rather than as clever
%. Uef father. For all that her reign
at lhe White House was one of intel
mn as We'll as beauty.
LUIS intellect yet shows in the noble
l., ,n anu Strong features, so striking
HKe John Tyler, and a beauty still
;. oHsS to the octogenarian, as 1t did
~ lne young girl and to the matron.
WIZ e once brown curls, though snowy
hue now. are scarcely less glossy
, ian OF yore, and none would dream
So ,d. the large, lustrous dark eyes are
,oa Another of President Tyler's daugh-
D. Is still living, Mrs. Margaret Cor
ori,i Ellis of Mecklenburg. Va. the
ny may surviving daughter of his second
rage to Miss Julia Gardiner.
Ta,IS' Elizabeth cambridge DEITY
it-SS55 oi)' daughter of President Taylor.
nse eu IN Winchester. Va. and has just
ICED 80 away. Mrs. Nellie Grant Sar-
ST., ives In Washington, as does Mrs.
fal5 haley Brown. who was Mollie Gar
dA lew years ago Miss Fanny Hayes,
RIA of President Hayes, was mar
eaton Smith.
yo-i.e herndon Arthur resides in New
he Mrs. Mary Harrison Mckee has
FsrI iIoine at Saratoga Springs. Ruth,
HtTlet and Marion Cleveland and the
den - 4t-year-old girl of the late Presi-
OF ~ harrison. represent the daughters
statese eX-Presidents OF the United