Year: 1861




The New York Commercial has feminine cor
respondent who has atpSnded levee at the White
House; and who talks ous:


/ don't believe first class people in Washington
go to President Lincoln's leyees Why I've seen
more intelligence and good breeding in small
drawing room in New York tkan | could see in
the reception and ante rooms together that eve
ming at the White House. Mr.. Lincoln is a good
man, I'm sure; and modest man. Between our
selves, if he were my husband and President too,
/ shouldn't like him to be so good-natured and
free and easy in his manners. / should want him
to look and act the Chief Magistrate little more.
Nay, you need not put on that grave face. Ara
bella Smith will speak her mind or she won't speak
at all. If the good man at the White House has
nobody else to tell him the truth, i will and if
you don't like it, you needn't print it. There, my
dear old friends you find d" Bell to be the same
saucy girl she always was; and until somebody
tames mel should like somebody to try the ex
pertinent at an early day-I don't think there
will be much change.


I'll tell you just what think. The President
is Abraham Lincoln, an honest and upright man
as the world ever saw. But Abraham Lincoln,
in one respect, is not yet President. His speech,
his bearing, and the society he seems most at
home WITH show him to be still Mr.. Lincoln
only. He has not yet appreciated, socially, the
C.
do not believe that ever before wrote such grave
criticism Blu; it is just. The other evening
was present at the presenting of flag TO the Ell
mira regiment. The President was there in his
morning costume. suit of grey that obviously
needed rrpairs. Two of his carriage companions
were gentlemen; the other had neither the appear
ance, the speech, nor the manners of one Yet
he was the Presidents familiar, and they banded
silly jokes with each other I'm Democratic
enough for woman, as you have often told me,
but should greatly prefer to see Presidential man
ners accompany the Presidential office. Wouldn't
you?


Did see no one at the levee but Mr. Lincoln?
OF course l did But have little patience.
Didn't tell you should ramble in nv talks just
as mach as liked? / saw Mrs. Lincoln, and
don't think if had been the Presidents wife |
should dressed exactly as she did. But, then,
tastes differ, or should not have been spinster
at this day. And | wouldn't have talked quite so
| freely in promiscuous crowd about my husband's
affairs. Madam is smart woman, however, with
an indomitable spirit lurking behind her bright
eyes, and will not live four years in the White
House without making her influence felt
| Well, tired Of the levee before it was over.
With the exception of the polite gentleman who
escorted me, and one or two others, there was
scarcely person there with ordinary converse
tional powers. Even the Secretary of State, who
was present, and is reputed to be good talker,
seemed to take no interest in any body, and had
not even always a recognition for his personal
friends. don't think shall ever put myself to
the trouble of dressing for another Presidential
leyee. But had very pleasant ride home to
aunt Morrison's, and my lively friend the member
told me many things about Washington, which |
may perhaps repeat to you. Yours truly,


ARABELLA SMITH