Ten years in Washington. Life and scenes in the National Capital, as a woman sees them

Front matter

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TEN YEARS IN WASHINGTON.

Chapter I

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. PA0E.

The Young Surveyor's Dream — Humboldt's View of Washington— A Vision of the Future Capital — The United States Government on Wheels— Ambitious Otters— The Rival Rivers — Potomac Wins — Battles in Congress — Patriotic Otters of Territory — Temporary Lodgings for Eleven Years— Old- Fashioned Simplicity — He Could n't Attord Furniture — A Great Man's Modesty — Conflicting Claims— Smith Backs Baltimore — A Convincing Fact — The Dreadful Quakers — A Condescending Party — A Slight Amendment — An Old Bill Brought to Light Again — The Indian Place with the Long Name — Secession Threatened — The Future Strangely Foreshadowed — A Dinner of Some Consequence — How it was Done — Really a Stranger — A Nice Proposal — Sweetening ihe Pill— A -' Revulsion of Stomach " — Fixed on the Banks of the Potomac, 21

Chapter II. Cross Purposes And Queer Speculations

Born of Much Bother — Long Debates and Pamphlets — Undefined Apprehensions — Debates on the Coming City — Old World Examples— Sir James Expresses an Opinion — A Dream of the Distant West — An Old-time Want — A Curious Statement of Fact — "Going West" — Where is the Center of Population — An Important Proclamation — Original Land Owners — Well-worn Patents— Getting on with Pugnacious Planters — Obstinate David Burns— A " Widow's Mite " of Some Magnitude — How the Scotch-, man was Subjugated — " If You Hadn 't Married the WidowCustis "—A Rather " For cible Argument"— His Excellency " Chooses "—The First Record in Washington— Old Homes and Haunts— Purchase of Land— Extent of the City, 31

Chapter III. The Work Begun In Earnest

Washington's Faith in the Future— Mr. Sparks is "Inclined to Think "—A Slight Miscalculation— Theoretical Spartans — Clinging to Old World Glories— Jefferson Acts the Critic — He Communicates Some Ideas — Models of Antiquity — Babylon Revived — Difficulty in Satisfying a Frenchman's Soul— The Man Who Planned the Capital— Who Was L'Enfant ? — His Troubles — His Dismissal — His Personal Appearance, Old Age, Death, and Burial Place— His Successor— The French Genius " Proceeded "—The New City of Washington— A Magnificent Plan— All About the City— The Major not Appreciated— "Getting on Badly "—L'Enfant Worries Washington— A Record Which Can Nover Perish— An Overpaid Quaker— Jefferson Expresses His Sentiments— A Sable Franklin— The Negro Engineer, Benjamin Bancker— A Chance for a Monument, 3S

Chapter IV. Old Washington

How the City Was Built—" A Matter of Moonshine "—Calls for Paper— Besieging Congressmen—How They Raised the Money— The Government Requires Sponsors— Birth of the Nation's Capital— Seventy Years Ago in Washington— Graphic Picture of Karly Times— A Much-Marrying City— Unwashed Virginian Belles— Stuck in the Mud— Extraordinary Religious Services, 51

CHAPTER V. TnE NOBLEST WARD OF CONGRESS

A Ward of Congress— Expectations Disappointed— Funds Low and People Few— Slow Progress of the City— First Idea of a National University— A Question of Importance

CONTENTS. IX

PAGE.

Discussed— Generous Proposition of George Washington— Faith Under Difficulties- Transplanting an Entire College— An Old Proposition in a New Shape— What Washington " Society " Lacks— The Lombardy Poplars Refuse to Grow — Perils of the Way — A Long Plain of Mud — "The Forlornest City in Christendom" — Egyptian Dreariness— Incomplete and Desolate State of Affairs — The End of an Expensive Canal — The Water of Tiber Creek — American "Boys" on the March — Divided Allegiance of Old— The Stirring of a Nation"s Heart— Keady to March to Her Defense— A Personal Interest— Patriotism Aroused— The First-Born City of the Republic — Truly the Capital of the Nation, G2

Chapter VI. The Washington Of The Present Day

Hopes Realized— A Truly National City— Washington in 1873— Major L'Enfant's Dream —Old and New—" Modern Improvements "—A City of Palaces— The Capital in all its Glory — Traces of the War — Flowers on the Ramparts— Under the Oaks of Arlington — Ten Years Ago— The Birth of a Century— The Reign of Peace— The Capital of the Future, 72

Chapter VII. What Made New Washington

Municipal Changes— Necessity of Reform— Committee of One Hundred Constituted— Mr. M. G. Emery Appointed Mayor— The " Organic Act " Passed— Contest for the Governorship of Columbia District— Mr. Henry D. Cooke Appointed— Board of Public Works Constituted— Great Improvements Made— Opposition— The Board and Its Work- Sketch of Alexander R. Sheplierd— His Efforts During the War— Patriotic Example, . 76

Chapter VIII. Building The Capitol

George Washington's Anxiety About it— His View of it Politically— Various Plans for the Building— Jefferson Writes to the Commissioners— His Letter to Mr. Carroll— " Poor Halletf'and His Plan— Wanton Destruction by the British, A. D. 1814— Foundation of the Main Building Laid — The Site Chosen by Washington Himself— Imposing Ceremonies at the Foundation— Dedicatory Inscription on the Silver Plate — Interesting Festivities— The Birth of a Nation's Capitol — Extension of the Building — Daniel Webster's Inscription — His Eloquent and Patriotic Speech — Mistaken Calculations — First Session of Representatives Sitting in "the Oven " — Old Capitol Prison — Immense Outlay upon the Wings and Dome— Compared with St. Peter's and St. Paul's— The Goddess of Liberty — The Congressional Library— Proposed Alterations — What Ought to be Done, 83

Chapter IX. Inside The Capitol

A Visit to the Capitol — The Lower Hall— Its Cool Tranquillity — Artistic Treasures — The President's and Vice-President's Rooms — The Marble Room— The Senate Chamber — " Men I Have Known " — Hamlin — Foote— Foster — Wade— Colfax — Wilson — The Rotunda— Great Historical Paintings — The Old Hall of Representatives— The New Hall — The Speaker's Room— Native Art — " The Star of Empire " — A National Picture, . . 93

Chapter X. Outside The Capitol

The Famous Bronze Doors— The Capitol Grounds— Statue of Washington Criticised— Peculiar Position for the " Father of his Country " — Horace Greenough's Defence of the Statue— Picturesque Scenery Around the Capitol— The City and Suburbs— The Public Reservation — The Smithsonian Institution — The Potomac and the Hights of Arlington, 104

CHAPTER XL

ART TREASURES OF THE CAPITOL.

Arrival of a Solitary Lady—" The Pantheon of America "— Tl Penserosa— Milton's Ideal — Dirty Condition of the House of Representatives— The Goddess of Melancholy— Vinnie Ream's Statue of Lincoln— Its Grand Defects— Necessary Qualifications for a Sculptor— The Bust of Lincoln by Mrs. Ames — General Greene and Roger Williams — Barbarous Garments of Modern Times— Statues of Jonathan Trumbull and Roger Sherman— Bust of Kosciusco— Pulling his Nose— Alexander Hamilton— Fate of Sena-

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tor Burr— Statue of Baker— His Last Speech Prophetic— The Glory of a Patriotic Example—The Lesson which Posterity Learns— Horatio Stone, the Sculptor— Washington's Statue at Richmond— Neglected Condition of the Capitol Statuary — Curious Clock— Grotesque Plaster Image of Liberty— Webster— Clay— Adams— The Pantheon at Rome— The French Pantheon— Bar-Maid Goddess— Dirty Customs of M. C.'s— Future Glory of America, 109

Chapter XII. Women With Claims

The Senate Reception-Room— The People who Haunt it— Republican " Ladies in Waiting"— " Women with Claims " — Their Heroic Persistency — A Widow and Children in Distress— Claim Agents— The Committee of Claims — A Kind-Hearted Senator's Troubles—Buttonholing a Senator— A Lady of Energy— Resolved to Win— An " Office Brokeress"— A Dragon of a Woman —A Lady who is Feared if not Respected — Her Unfortunate Victims— Carrying "Her Measure"— The Beautiful Petitioner— The Cloudy Side of Her Character— Her Subtle Dealings— Her Successes— How Government Prizes are Won, 120

Chapter XIII. The Congressional Library

Inside the Library— The Librarian— Sketch of Mr. Spoflbrd— How Congressional Speeches are Manufactured—" Spoiford " in Congress — The Library Building — Diagram — Dimensions of the Hall — The Iron Book Cases— The Law Library— Five Miles of Book Shelves— Silent Study — "Abstracting" Books — Amusing Adventure — A Senator in a Quandary — Making Love Under Difficulties — Library Regulations — Privileged Persons — Novelsand their Readers — Books of Reference— Cataloguing the Library — The New Classification— Compared with the British Museum— Curious Old Newspapers— Files of Domestic and Foreign Papers— One Hundred Defunct Journals — Destruction of the Library by English Troops — An Incident of the War of 1814— Putting it to the Vote — "Carried Unanimously" — Wanton Destruction — Washington in Flames — A Fearful Ternpest — The Second' Conflagration — 35,000 Volumes Destroyed — Treasures of Art Consumed — Congressional Grants — The New Library — Extensive Additions — The Next Appropriation — The Grand Library of the Nation, 127

Chapter XIV. A Visit To The New Law Library

How a Library was Offered to Congress— Mr. King's Proposal— An Eye to Theology— The Smithsonian Library Transferred — The Good Deeds of Peter Force — National Documents— " American Archives " — Congress Makes a Wise Purchase — Eliot's Indian Bible— Literary Treasures— The Lawyers Want a Library for Themselves — Their " Little Bill" Fails to Pass— They are Finally Successful — The Finest Law Library in the World— First Edition of Blackstone— heport of the Trial of Cagliostro, Rohan and La Motte — Marie Antoinette's Diamond Neck lace— A Long Life-Service— The Law Library Building — An Architect Buried Beneath his own Design— " Underdone Pie-crust" — "Justice " Among the Books— Reminiscences of Daniel Webster and the Girard Will, 138

Chapter XV. The Heaven Of Legal Ambition — The Supreme Court Room

Memories of Clay, Webster and Calhoun— Legal Giants of the Past— Stately Serenity of the Modern Court— " Wise Judgment and Wine Dinners"— The Supreme Court in Session— Soporific Influences— A Glimpse of the Veritable "Bench "-The Ladies' Gallery— The Chief Justices of the Past-Tanev Left Out in the Cold— His Apotheosis —Chief-Justice Chase— Black-Robed Dignitaries— An Undignified Procession— The "Crier" in Court— Antique Proclamation— The Consultation-Room— Everv Man in his Proper Place— Gowns of Oflice— Reminiscence of Judge McClean— " Uncle Henry and his Charge "—Fifty Years in Office, 144

Chapter XVI. The "mecca" Op The American

The Caaba of Liberty— The Centre of a Nation's Hopes— Stirring Reminiscences of the Capitol— History Written in Stone— Patriotic Expression of Charles Sumner— Ruskiu's Views of Ornament— Building " for all Time "—"This our Fathers Did for Us"— The Parthenon and the Capitol Compared— The Interest of Humanity— A Secret Charm for a Thoughtful Mind— Ah Idea of Equality— The Destiny of the Stars and Stripes— A Mother's Ambition— Recollections of the War— The Dying Soldier—" The Republic will not Perish," 148

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter XVII

THE CAPITOL — MORNING SIGHTS AND SCENES. PAOE.

The Capitol in Spring — A Magic Change— " More Beautiful than Ancient Rome" — Arrival of Visitors— A New Race—" Billing and Cooing "—Lovers at the Capitol— A Dream of Perpetual Spring— Spending the Honeymoon in Washington— Charmingly " Vernal " People — New Edition of David Copperfield and Dora — " Very Young " — Divided Affections : The New Bride— Jonathan and Jane — Memories of a Wedding Dress — An Interview with a Bride — " Two Happy Idiots " — A Walk in the City — Utilitarian Projects—President Grant— The Foreign Ambassadors — •' Beau " Hickman — An Erratic Genius — Walt Whitman, the Poet — A " Loafer " of Renown — Poets at Home — Piatt — Burroughs— Harriet Prescott Spofford — Sumner and Chase— Foreign Attach&s "on the Flirt " — Tiresome Men — Lafayette Square in the Morning — How to Love a Tree — " He Never Saw Washington," 153

Chapter XVIII. Fair Washington — A Ramble In Early Spring

Washington Weather —Sky Scenery— Professor Tyndall Expresses an Opinion — A Picture of Beauty — "A City of Enchantment " — -'My Own Washington" — Prejudiced Views — Birds of Rock Creek — The Parsonage — A Scene of Tranquil Beauty — A Washington May — Charms of the Season — Mowers at Work — The Public Parks — Frolics of the Little Ones— Strawberry Festivals— " Flower Gathering," 162

CHAPTER XIX. THE WHITE HOUSE, i. e., THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE

Haunted Houses — Shadows of the Past — Touching Memories — The Little Angels Born There — Building of the Presidential Mansion — A State of Perpetual Dampness — Dingy Aspect of a Monarch's Palace — Outside the White House — A Peep Inside the Mansion — The Emperor of Japan Supersedes the Punch-Bowl — The Unfinished *' Banqueting- Hall " — Glories of a Levee — Magnificent Hospitalities— A Comfortable Dining-Room — Interesting Labors of Martha Patterson — A Lady of Taste — An American " Baronial Hall "—The Furniture of Another Generation — A Valuable Steward — A Professor of Gastronomy — Paying thd Professor and Providing the Dinner — Feeding the Celebrities — Mrs. Lincoln's Unpopular Innovations — Fifteen Hundred Dollars for a Dinner — How Prince Arthur, of England, was Entertained — Domestic Economy — " Not Enough Silver"— A Tasty Soup— The Recipe for an Aristocratic Stew— Having a "Nice Time" — Mrs. Franklin Pierce Horrified — " Going a Fishing on Sunday " — Hatred of Flummery — An Admirer of Pork and Beans and Slap- jacks— A Presidential Reception— Ready for the Festival—" Such a Bore ! " — Splendor, Weariness and Indigestion — Paying the Penalty— In the Conservatory— Domestic Arrangements— The Library — Statue of Jefferson— Pleasant Views— Reminiscence of Abraham Lincoln, 167

" All houses wherein men have lived and died Ave haunted houses. Through the open doors The harmless phantoms on their errands glide. With feet that make no sound upon the floors.

" There are more guests at table than the hosts Invited ; the illuminated hall Is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts, As silent as the pictures on the wall."

Chapter XX. Ladies Of The White House

A Morning Dream— Wives and Daughters of the Presidents — Memories of Martha Washington— An Average Matron of the 18th Century — Educational Disadvantages — Comparisons—A Well-Regulated Lady — A Useful Wife— Warm Words of Abigail Adams — Advantages of Having a Distinguished Husband — A Modern Lucretia — Washington's Inauguration Suit— An Awkward Position for a Lady — A Primitive Levke— Festivities in Franklin Square !— Decorous Ideas of the Father of his Country — The Government on its Travels — Transporting the Household Gods— Keeping Early Hours— Primitive Customs — A Dignified Conge — Much-Shaken Hands — Remembrances of a Past Age — An English Manufacturer " Struck with Awe" — Very Questionable Humility — The Room in which Washington Died — Days of Widowhood — A Wife's Congratulations — A True Woman — Domestic Affairs at the White House — An Unfinished Mansion— Interesting Details— A Woman's Influence— A Monument Wanted — Devotion of a Husband— The "Single Life" — Theodocia Burr and Katherine Chase — "Levees" Summarily Abolished — Disappointed Belles— An Extraordinary Reception— Blacked His Own Boots — A Dignified Foreigner Shocked — Governmental Enquiries— Womanly Indisnation— The Poet Pardoned—" The Sweetest Creature in Virginia "—A Daughters Affection, - 177

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CHAPTER XXI. WIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS. vtl

A Social Queen—" The Most Popular Person in the United States "— " Dolly Madison's " Reign— The Slow Days of Old— A Young Lady Rides Five Hundred Miles on Horseback—Travelling Under Difficulties— Political Pugnacity— A Peaceful Policy— Formality versus Hospitality— Big Dishes Laughed at— A Foreign Minister Criticises— Advantages of a Good Memory— Funny Adventure of a Rustic Youth— A Strange Pocketful —Putting Him at His Ease— Doleful Visage of a New President— Getting Rid of a Burden—A Brave Lady— She Writes to her Sister — Waiting in Suspense — Taking Care of Cabinet Papers—" Disaffection Stalks Around Us "— " Col C." Very Prudently " Skedaddles "—One Hundred "Braves" Skedaddle With Him— "French John " Makes a Proposition — He Desires to "Blow Up the British" — John " Doesn 't See It "—Watching and Waiting— Flight— Unscrewing the Picture — After the War — Brilliant Receptions—Mrs. Madison's Snuff-Box— Clay Takes a Pinch— " This is my Polisher!"— *' Tempora Mutantur "—Two Plain Old Ladies from the West—" If I Jest Kissed y0u"— They Depart in Peace— Days of Trouble and Care— Manuscripts Purchased by Congress— The "Franking Privilege" Conferred Upon Mrs. Madison— Honored by Congress— Last Days of a Good Woman— Mrs. Monroe— A Severe and Aristocratic Woman— "La Belle Americaine "—Madame Lafayette in Prison— Fennimore Cooper Expresses an Opinion— Grotesque Anomalies at a Reception— The Crown and the Eagle,

CHAPTER XXIL

A CHAPTER OP GOSSIP.

Quaint Habiliments— Portrait of a President's Wife— A Travelling Lady— Life in Russia^ —A Model American Minister— A Long and Lonely Journey— When Napoleon Returned from Elba— The Court of St. James— "Mrs. Adams' Ball "—Mr. John Ogg's Little •' Poem " — Verses which Our Fathers Endured — Peculiar Waists— Costume of an Ancient Belle— Fearful and Wonderful Attire of a Beau—" A Suit of Steel "— "Smiling for the Presidency" — Attending Two Balls the Same Evening— An Ascendant Star— A Man Who Hid his Feelings— The Candidate at a Cattle Show — " t>he Often Combed Your Head "— " I Suppose She Combs Yours Now "—Giving " Tone " to the Whole Country — A Circle of " Hare" Women— A " Perpetual Honor to Womanhood "—Charles's Opinion of His Mother — How a Lady "Amused" Her Declining Days— Lafayette's Visit to Washington— His Farewell to America—" A Species of Irregular Diary "— " For the Benefit of My Grandfather " — Mrs. Andrew Jackson — A Woman's Influence— Politics and Piety Disagree— Why the General Didn't Join the Church— A Head "Full of Politics "—Swearing Some— The President Becomes a Good Boy— Domestic Tendencies— His Greatest Loss— Sad News from the Hermitage, 204

Chapter Xxiii.' Scenes At The White House — Men And Women Of Note

Widows "at par "—Four Sonless Presidents— Supported by Flattery — A Delicate Constitution—Living to a Respectable Age— Teaching Her Grandson How to Fight— Inheriting Religion — "Another Sensitive, Saintly Soul " — A Pathetic Reminiscence — A Perfect Gentlewoman— A Stately Black-eyed Matron— A Lady of the Old School— Obeying St. Paul— A Woman Who " Kept Silence " — " Sarah Knows Where It Is "—Commanding " Superlative Respect " — An English Lady " Impressed " — Three Queens in the Background—A Very Handsome Woman — Retiring from Active Life — A Lady's Heroism — " My Home, the Battle-field "—A Man Who Kept to His Post— A Life in the Savage Wilderness—A Life's Devotion— The Colonel's Brave Wife— The Conquering Hero from Mexico— Objecting to the Presidency— "Betty Elisfs"— TheReigningLady— An Overpowering Reception—" A Bright and Beaming' Creature, Dressed Simply in White "—An Inclination for Retirement— The Penalty of Greatness— Death in the White House— A Wife's Prayers— A New Jieqime— The Clothier's Apprentice and the School Teacher— The Future President Builds His Own House — Becomes a Lawyer — Chosen Representative— Domestic Happiness— Twenty-seven Years of Married Life — " A Matron of Commanding Person " — A Scarcity of Books— Homo " Comforts " at the White House— The Memory of a Loving Wife— A Well-Balanced Young Lady, 218

CHAPTER XXIV. TnE WHITE HOUSE DURING THE WAR

Under a Cloud— " A Woman Among a Thousand "—Revival of By-gone Days— Another Lady of the White House— A " Golden Blonde"— Instinct Alike with Power and Graco — A Fun-Loving Romp — Harriet with her Wheelborrow of Wood — A Deed of Kindness— Tho Wheel Turns Round — An Impression Made on Queen Victoria — In Paris and on the Continent — An Axueriean Lady at Oxford — Gay Doings at tho Capital — Rival

CONTENTS. Xlil

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Claims for a Lady's Fand— Reigning at the White House— Doing Double Duty— "Visit of the Prince of Wales— Marriage of Harriet Lane— As Wife and Mother— Mrs. Abraham Lincoln — Standing Alone —A Time of Trouble and Perplexity — Conciliatory Counsels .Needful— Rumors of War— The Life of the Nation Threatened — Whispers of Treason— Awaiting the Event — Peculiar Position of Mary Lincoln — A Life-long Ambition Fulfilled— The Nation Called to Arms— Contagious Enthusiasm— What the President's Wife Did— Nothing to do but " Shop "—Sensational Stories Afloat— Stirring Times at the Capital— What Came from the River— The Dying and the Dead— Churches aud Houses Turned into Hospitals— Arrival of Troops — " Mrs. Lincoln Shopped " — The Lonely Man at the White House— Letters of Rebuke— An Example of Selfishness — Petty Economies — The Back Door of the White House— An Injured Individual— Death of Willie Lincoln— Injustice which Mrs. Lincoln Suffered— The Rabble in the White Hoajse — "Valuables Carried Away — Big Boxes and Much Goods— Going West— Mrs. Lincoln Disconsolate — False and Cruel Accusations— Considerable Personal Property — Missing Treasures— Mrs. Lincoln as a Woman— Tears and Mimicry— Faults of a President's Wife, . ^ . 231

Chapter XXV. The White House Now— Its Present Occupants

After the War— The Home of President Johnson— Shut Up in the Mountains— Two Tears of Exile— A Contrast— Suffering for their Country— Secretly Burying the Dead — A Wife of Seventeen Years — Midnight Studies— Broken Down— A Party of Grandchildren — " My Dears, I am an Invalid "— " Gods Best Gift to Man "—The Woman Who Taught the President— A " Lady of Benign Countenance "—Doing the Honors at the White House—" We are Plain People " — The East Room Filled with Vermin— Traces of the Soldiers— A State of Dirt and Ruin— Mrs. Patterson's Calico Dress— In the Dairy— A Nineteenth Century Wonder— How the Old Carpets were Patched— The Greenbacks are Forthcoming— How $30,000 were Spent— Buying the Furniture— Working in Hot Weather— " Wrestling with Rag* and Ruins "—" Renovated from Top to Bottom " — What the Ladies Wore, and What They Didn't— The Memory of Elegant Attire— Impressing the Public Mind— How Un perverted Minds are Affected— " Bare necked Dowagers "— " A Large Crowd of Bare Busts"— Elderly Ladies with Raven Locks — The Opinion of a Woman of Fa.shion— Very Good Dinners— Obsequious to the Will of " the People " — Doors Open to the Mob— Sketching a Banquet— Sentimental Reflections on the Dining Room— The Portraits of the Presidents— The Impeachment Trial— Peace in the Family— The Grant Dynasty— Looking Home-like— Mrs. Grant at Home— What Might Be Done, if— What Won't Work a Reformation— A Pity for Miss Nellie Grant- How She Suddenly " Came Out "— " A Full-Fledged Woman of Fashion "—A " Shoal of Pretty Girls "—How a Certain Young Lady was Spoilt— Brushing Away " the Dew of Innocence "—Need of a Centripetal Soul— Society in the Season— Rare Women with no Tastes— The Wives of the Presidents Summed Up, . 243

Chapter XXVI

MRS. GRANT'S RECEPTION — GLIMPSES OF LIFE.

Mrs. Grant at Home— A Reception— Feeling Good-Natured— Looking After One's Friends— Ready to Forgive— Mr. Grant's " Likeable Side "—The East Room on a Reception Day—" The Nation's Parlor "—Rags and Tatters Departed— The Work of Relic- Hunters— Internal Arrangements— Eight Presidents, All in a Row—" As Large as Life " —Shadows of the Departed— A President from the Sultan of Turkey— A List of Finery —A Scene Not Easily Forgotten— How They Wept for Their Martyr— Tales which a Room Might Tell— David, Jonathan and Sir Philip Sidney Superseded— Underneath the Gold and Lace— " Into the Ear of a Foolish Girl "—The Census of Spittoons— "A Horror in Our Land"— An Under-bred People—" We Talk Too Loud "—Preliminaries to Perfection— "More Than Shakspeare's Women "—The Shadow of Human Nature- Two "Quizzing" Ladies— Nothing Sacred io Thenn-An Illogical Dame— Her "Precarious Organ "—A " Vice that Thrives Amid Christian Graces" — How some Pious People " Avenge their Defrauded Souls"— A Lady of Many Colors—" A New Woman" — A Vegetable Comparison— What "a Good Little Girl" was Allowed To Do— The Lady of the Manor— Women Who are Not Ashamed of Womanhood— Observed and Admired of All— Another "Reigning Belle "—Sketch of a Perfect Woman— After the Lapse of Generations— The " German "— " You Had Better Be Shut Up "—The " Withering " of Many American Women — Full Dress and No Dres — What the Princess Ghika Thinks— A Young Girl's Dress— " That Dreadful Woman"— "My Wife's Dress— The Resolution of a Young Man, 256

Chapter XXVII. Inauguration Day At Washington

My Own Private Opinion — Sublime Humanity in the Lump — The Climate Disagrees— The Little "Sons of War" Feeling Bad— " Think of the Babies "—Brutal Mothers— The " Boys in Blue " — " Broke their Backs and Skinned their Noses " — Our Heroes — Later

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Festivities— " Devoted to Art"— Scene in " the Avenue "—A Lively Time— The Mighty Drum-Major — West Point Warriors Criticised — Faultlessly Ridiculous — Pitilessly Dressed — "Taken for a Nigger " — Magnificent Display — The Oldest Regiment in the States— The President — The Senators — Invitation of the Coldstream Guards — The Strangers — Generals Sherman and Sheridan — Admiral Porter — Sketches of Well-known Men — The Diplomatic Corps — Blacque Bey — Full Turkish Costume— Sir Edward Thornton— The Japanese Minister — Senator Sumner Appears — The Supreme Court — Senator Wilson — Cragin, Logan, and Bayard — Vine-President Colfax— Enter, the President — Congress Alive Again — The Valedictory — Taking the Oaths — "The Little Gentleman in the Big Chair "—His Little Speech— His Wife and Family Behind— The New President— Memories of Another Scene— Grand Jubilation — The Procession — The Curtain Falla, 269

CHAPTER XXVIIL

THE NEW PRESIDENT — THE INAUGURATION BALL.

How Sixty Thousand Dollars were Spent— Something Wrong : " 'Twas ever Thus"— "Recollection of another Festival— How " the Dust" was Raised — A Fine Opportunity for a Few Naughty Words — Lost Jewels — The Colored Folks in a Fix — Overpowered by Numbers — Six Thousand People Clamoring for their Clothes! — " Promiscuous" Property— A Magnificent ''Grab" — Weeping on Window-ledges— Left Desolate — Walking under Difficulties— The Exploit of Two Old Gentlemen —Horace Greeley Loses his Old White Hat — He says Naughty Words of Washington— Seeking the Lost — Still Cherished by Memory— Some People Remind General Chipman— " Regardless of Expense "—A Bail-Room Built of Wooden Laths and Muslin— A Little Too Cold— Gay Decorations— How " Delicate" Women can Endure the Cold— Modesty in Scanty Garments—The President Frozen— The " Cherubs, Perched up Aloft," Refuse to Sing— On the Presidential Platform — Ladies of Distinction — Half-frozen Beauties— " They did not Make a Pretty Picture "—Why and Wherefore?— A Protest against "Shams" — A Stolid Tanner who -Fought his Way, 2T8

Chapter XXIX. The United States Treasury — Its History

The Responsibilities and Duties of the Secretary of the Treasury — " The Most Remarkable Man of his Time " — Three Extraordinary Men — Hamilton Makes an Honest Proposal — How to Pay the National Debt — The New Secretary at Work — Laying the Foundation of Financial Operations— The Mint at Philadelphia— A Little Personal Abuse— The Secretary Borrows Twenty Dollars — Modern Greediness— The Genius Becomes a Lawyer—Burning of Records— Hunting for Blunders and Frauds — The Treasury Building Treasury Notes go off Nicely — Mr. Crawford Under a Cloud — He Comes out Gloriously— A Little Variety — A Vision of Much Money — Fidgety Times — Lighting the Mariner on his Way — Old Debts Raked up— Signs of the Times — Under Lincoln— S. P. Chase as Secretary — The National Currency Act— Enormous Increase of the National Debt — Facts and Figures— The Credit of the Government Sustained — President Grant's Rule— George S. Boutwell made Secretary — Great Expectations— Mr. Boutwell's Labors, Policy and Success— The Great and Growing Prosperity of the Nation, .... 284

Chapter XXX. Inside The Treasury — The History Of A Dollar

A Washington Tradition— "Old Hickory" Erects his Cane — "Put the Building Right Here "—Treasury Corner-Stme Laid — Robert Mills' Discolored Colonnade — Where "Privileged Mortals" Work— A Very Costly Building— Rapid Extension of Business- Splendid Situation of the Building— The Workers Within— The Government Takes a Holiday— The Business of Three Thousand People— The Mysteries of the Treasury- Inside the Rooms— Mary Harris's Revenge— The "Drones" in the Hive— Making Love in Office Hours— Flirtations in Public— A Vast Refuge for the Unfortunate— Two Classes of Employe's— A List of Miserable Sinners— A Pitiful Ancient Dame— A Protigi of President Lincoln — Women's Work in the Treasury — The Bureau of Printing and Engraving — A very Hot Precinct — Rendering a Strict Account — Not a Cent Missing— The "Chief's" Report— Dealing in Big Figures— The Story of a Paper Dollar— In the Upper Floor — The Busy Workers— Night Work — Where the Paper is Made — The 'Localized Blue Fibre"— The Obstacle to the Counterfeiter— The Automatic Register- Keeping Watch— The Counters and Examiners— Supplying the Bank Note Companies — " The Amorican " and "The National "—An Armed Escort — No Incomplete Notes Possible — Varieties of Printing— The Contract with Adams' Express — Printing the Notes and Currency— Internal Revenue Stamps— Thirty Young Lrulies Count, the Money — Manufacturing the Plates— The Engraving Division— " The Finest Engravers in the Country " — The Likoness of Somebody — Transferring a Portrait—" Men of Many Minds" — The Division of Labor— Delicate Operations — A Pressure of Five or Six Tons — The Plate Complete—" Re-entoriug " a Plate — An "Impression" — How Old Plates

CONTENTS. XV

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are Used up — A Close Inspection — Defying Imitation — The Geometric Lathe — Tracing " Lines of .Beauty " for More than Forty Years, 303

Chapter XXXI. The Workers In The Treasury — How The Money Is Made

The Dollar with the Counters— In the Tubs—Getting a Wetting— Servants of Necessity— That Scorching Koof— Brown Paper Bonnets— Earning their Daily Dollar — The Work Progressing — In the Press— A State of Dampness— Squaring Accounts — Calling for a Thousand — Accounting for Them— Superintending the Work— The Face-printing Division—The United States " Sealer " — One Hundred and Thirty-five Presses at Work- Printing Cigar-Stamps and Gold- Notes of Many Colors— Presses " Flying "—Quick with Dangerous Motion— With a Begrimed Face— The " Help-mate " of his Toil— The Fiery Little Brazier — What the Man Does — The Woman's Work — The Automatic Register—An Observer Without a Sou; — Our Damp Little Dollar — The Drying Room— The First Wrinkles — Looking Wizened and Old— Rejuvenating a Dollar — Underneath. Two Hundred and Forty Tons— Smooth and Polished — Precious to the Touch — A Virgin Dollar— The " Sealer " at Work— Mutilated Paper— What the Women are Paid— The Surface-Sealing Division — Seal Printing— The Aristocratic Green Seal — The Numbering Division — Attended Solely by Women and Girls — Critically Examined — A Lady Charged with Errors — Securing Adequate Care — Dividing the Dollars — To Start Alone — Ladies Serene at Work— Snowy Aprons and Delicate Ribbons — Needling the Sheet — A Blade that Does Not Fail — Sorting the Notes — The Manipulation of the Ladies — The Dollar " In its Little Bed " — Dollar on Dollar — " Awaiting the Final Call" — The Mandate of Uncle Sam — Fourteen Divisions — Making Up Accounts — Tracing a Note—A Perfect System of " Checks "—The Safeguards— The Chief of the Bureau, .... 317