Year: 1863

MRS. sW1SSHELM on MRS LINCOLN.


came to Washington so strongly preiu-
diced against her that quite made up my
mind not to see her, for fear should be
tempted TO write something to increase the
feeling against her, and so lessen the conf
dence Of the people in the administration. |
let four public receptions pass without calling
and was with difficulty persuaded to 90 to
the levee on the 2d inst. As had sent my
baggage to Philadelphia before concluding 70
go, l was forced TO 20 in my old black travel
ing dress, which some folks hint is not the
hight Of the fashion, since it was made near
ly seven years agL, has seen hard service and
was never altered. But as there was no lack
of silks, lsces, feathers, jewels, trails, aoun-
ces. puFs, quilting, fans and flowers, it was
very we'll, and when presented to the Presi-
dent do not believe that he saw that had
my cloak over my arm, and hood in my hand,
as he stood shaking hands with the immortal
million, and working harder than he ever did
splitting rails.


As custom required me to add to his labor,
could not help saying to him that hoped
the Lord would have mercy on him, "a the
people had none, and in the midst Of his
drudgery he laughed great, hearty, honest
laugh. 1t was pleasure to see him--a man
whose honesty has never been questioned by
friend or foe, and stood back against the
wall to look at him, still determined that
would not play hypocrite by paying external
forms Of respect TO Mrs. Lincoln. She was
pointed cut. and forgot to look at him, she
appeared so different from what had expect
ed. Her compile; ion is fair as that Of young
girl, her cheeks soft, plump and blooming,
and her expression tender and kindly. II
was one Of those faces feel like stopping on
the street to kiss because it recalls one that
was dearest Of all m chidhood's days.
think the features are not classical, but l for
got to look at them. It was pleasant face
to look upon. The dress was something that
look elegant and priate--nothing incon-
gruous, nothing tawdry They tell me since
that it was black velvet, With pearls in the
hair. ! saw them as looked down on her
hair, which is abundant, dark and glossy
She is not so tall as |. She stood receiving
her guests with quite as much grace and more
dignity than / had seen the celebrated Betty
Bliss when ia the same position. conclud
ed to be presented On hearing my name she
looked up with pleased surprise, and offered
her hand with cordiality and kindliness
which greatly surprised both myself and the
friends who we're with me--One of whom re-
marked, aiterward, that it was "the most cor
dial thing be had ever seen her do" She
shakes hsnds with very few Of her guests,
and it is not etiquette to offer her ones hand
This is matter of necessity. No one who
has not served an apprenticeship to hard man
ual labor would be able to shake hands with
half the people who go to the White House
and it ia labor from which good sense and
good manners should relieve the President


! went home that night thinking what it
could mean Why should proslavery woman,
secessionist at heart, show that sudden
feeling Of kindness to an old ab 'litionist-
one who, twenty-five years ago, was threat
ened with coat Of tar and feathers in her
native State There was no acting about it,
for it was the first impulse o; suvprise, and
II she had wished to act such part | would
have been poor subject on which to begin
II she was vain, as folks say, and fond Of
gentlemen's admiration, and wished to stand
well with anti-slavery people, she could very
easily play the agreeable to good looking gen
tiemen, radical editors who do so much
abound To give one OF the brightest smiles
Of the evening 10 little, old woman, noted
for nothing but sbolitionism, was an odd move
for a vain seceA sionist. So resolved to re-
consider some Of the evidence on which ! bad
formed my opinion, and have found some
breaks in the chain. have also learned sew
eral facts in her history, both before and since
her husbands election to his present post,
which place her in very different light from
that in which she is generally regarded. In
atouemrnt for the wrungl have done her in
thought and private conversation, in justice TO
her and to the cause which must suffer by
evcrvthinp which lessons the rcspect Of the
people for. and their confidence in, those whom
they elected to preside over the government,
intend to publish all the evidence | have, and
all can get, Of her loyalty and geod feeling


but as this letter has spun out unaccountably
must postpone to another much that in
tended to say.