The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-12
GEN. JACKSON'S MANNER.
A "Reminiscences Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston
Was Fond of Relating.

"The late Harriet Lane Johnston" said
New York woman who was an intimate
! friend Of the former mistress OF the White
House. "having lived 30 long with her
statesman uncle, James Buchanan, had
| many interesting "reminiscences of an
and his times. One of them which she was
fond Of relating was an incident told to her
by Mr.. Buchanan of the social career Of
Gen. jackson while he was President.
Mr.. Buchanan was in the United States
Senate at the time.
AS Mrs Johnston related the incident,
famous Baltimore lady, one Of the leaders
in society Of that day and related to an
English family of title and distinction, had
spent long time in England during jack
sons Administration, her family connec-
lions admitting her to the inner circles
of aristocratic and royal society. George
". was then King. and short time before
this lady left England to return to America
she was presented to him. He confided
to her Il message to President jackson.
which he requested her to deliver in person.
"The reputation his political enemies
had made for jackson was such that the
lady WAS most unfavorably impressed,
never having met the rugged old soldier.
In fact. the idea of Jacksonan vulgarity'
was quite the popular one, and there were
many stories of the Generals oife nsive
application of it in his social as well as
business contact with visitors.
Consequently. this high-bred MESSAGE
bearer from the King of England was very
much dsinclired to personal interview
with this President of boorsh reputation,
but, having undertaken to carry out the
wishes of the King, she determin ed to under
go the trial, prepared to be greatly shocked
at what she might see and hear. Being
well acquainted with James Buchanan.
she begged him to accompany her on her
mission and introduce her to the President.
INV uncle escorted the lady to the
White House Mrs. Johnston related merrily,
and leaving her in the reception room
he went to the Presidents room to arrange
for the interview
." He found the President alone. His
face was covered with a bristling beard
of several days growth. He was wearing
dressing gown which was very much
soiled and great " the worse for past service.
He was smoking an old clay pipe
1T was a disheart"ning moment for
| Mr. Buchanan, for 10 present the refined
and elegant lady 10 the Pre- sident OF the
United States in such attire and personal
uncouthness seemed TO him but little better
than a national disgrace. He told the
Pre- sident about the distinguished woman
who had come to seek an introduction to
him, on an errand from the King Of England,
and made bold to say
But, General, you ought not to see
her without making an appropriate toilet
"'1he grim old soldier took his pipe out
Of his mouth, stretched himself to his full
height shot n fiery look at his auCiaciOuS
social prOmpter from beneath his shaggy
eyebrows and exclaimed, with some force
full adjincts of language that may IA well
not be repeated
I 81
succeeded admirably in getting along
simply by minding his own business"
He told my uncle to go back and wait
with the lady and he would see her pres
emily. Mr. Buchanan returned to the
reception room and awaited the President 3
coming III a torture Of suspense.
I'm remarkably short time Gen. Jack
son entered the room. He was neatly
shaver and In plain but correct attire. A
more courtly and dignitied presence, my
uncle said could not well be imagined,
and he was so astounded at tine change in
Jackson's appearance and manner that he
amC 1T forgot what he WAS there for.
"'He introduced the lady, however.
and r, tired to await the termination of
the int rviev, which. from what she had
said to him, he felt that she was eager to
make as short as possible. He was, there
fore, surprised when more than an hour
had pa sscd and she was still talking with
the man she had dreaded to meet as one
but little Nv tier than wildcat.
She nppeared at last, escorted to the
door by the President, Mr. Buchanan said
she was positively radiant, He handed
her into her carriage. and asked her what
she thought of the grim and nuch-abused
jackson.
-'"I am captivatedl" she replied. Il
never 20 enjoyed an hour. | have been at
all the courts Of Europe, and can truly say
that at none of them have lever seen man
who i'll elegance of manners could excel
Gen. Jackson While intensely dig1ified,
they we're so kind that my dread disap-
peared in an instant, and before knew it
| was captivated. II will never do for any
one to charg, Gen. Jackson with vulgarity
In my pre- scncr. agnin!'
As long "a my uncle lived. Mrs John
ston was wont to say, he delight TO relate,
which he did always with great relish,
and pa rtcularv if it gave him opportunity
TO rebuke any ill-natured reference to
Jacksonan v,ilgarity, what befell him
and hia apprehensivc companion from
that interview wit h Andrew jackson.