Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-13
Long Ago and Now.

| OF the Presidents who were widow
ers, the first noted was Jefferson
| whose daughter, Mrs. Martha Ram
dolph. presided for him two years
! Martin Van Buren, had his daughter
| in-law to help him, and President Har-
rison his daughter after his bereave-
ment. The bachelor President Bu-
| chanan. had his niece Miss Harriet
Lane. who had been in Europe with
him while he was minister to Eng
land. She became also a charming fig
ure in White House history. Presi-
dent Arthur's sister, Mrs. McEIrov
spent the winter months at the White
House. his daughter beink still a school
girl, and Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleve-
land had Il short term of the same dis
function when her brother came here.
Her married sisters were also at the
White House of and ON befoc his mar
riaSe
There have been marriages of only
two Presidents while in office The first
was PRESIDENT Tyler. who, i'll 1914, went
10 New York. where his marriage
with Miss Julia Gardener followed.
lhcir wedding reception was iii the
White House. however. some days
later
President Cleveland and Miss Fran
ces Folsom were married in 1856 in
the White House.
Those who We're active in fl Shiou;i BILE
HE during President Artnur'S incum
hcncy regard that period as the smart
est Washington had ever known up
to thirty years ago. This was surely
true Of the number and variety of en-
tcrtaiIIments ut the White House Mr..
Arthur taking note of the arrival of
distinguished people in private life
and marking it 10y their subsequent
presence at his home. Familiarity with
the doings of the world was also Il
characteristic of the Presidents init
mates and he mingled freely with his
friends at their homes. At his first
evening reception Gen. aud Mrs Grant,
then back from their tour around the
world. were present. The occasion
WAS an exceptionally brilliant one.
Mrs. FrclinghuyS"u. wife of tn" then
Secretary of state. was receiving in
line with thu President. but withdrew
W hen Mrs. Grant appeared. aud had
the latter take her place. Mrs. Grant
Wore an almost entire point lace dress,
two deep flcunces forming the skirt.
In line in the blue room with her
we're Mrs Mcpherson, Mrs. Eugene
Hale and Mrs. Don Cameron. wives OF
the New Jersey. Maine and l'ennSNl-
vania senators: Mrs. Craig Wadsworth
and Mrs. John Davis, wife OF the then
assistant secretary of state aud now
y
The custom of having other than the
cabinet women III line at the Arthur
receptions, when they were not able
to be present. was regularly followed.
At another Arthur reception 1T was
the daughter of the Secretary of the
Treasury. Miss Foiser. who was at the
Presidents right. and next her were
Mrs. Brewster, wife of the Attorney
General: Mrs. Teller. whose husband
was then Secretary of the Interior. and
Mrs. Hunt with Mrs. Bancroft Davis.
President Arthur gave Il state Gunner
for Gen. and Mrs. Grant. who stayed
at the White House during part of
centcred about rhe silver
Hiawatha boat, which had been select
ed while Mrs. Grant was the mistress
of the White House. The elaborate
floral decoration thought necessary in
those days was everywhere SIX KINDS oi
wine were used at the dinner.
The Marquis of Lorne was British
visitor of note for whom President
Arthur gave a state dinner HIS dinner
FOR Christine Nilsson was the smarteSt
event of the year. At its close, while Alr-
Arthur escorted the great singer back 10
the east room. the Marine Band played,
and her lovely voice WAS heard high
q bove it, as she carried the ayr
A large company came in later TO the
reception. during which Nine Nilsson
sang. The Last Rose Of summer
was one of her selections, and Way
Down Upon the Suwanee live 20
her own piano accompaniment. was
another.
4 supper WAS served later in the
state dining room. and the whole oc-
cas sion was one of special distinction
to all present.
e