Inside history of the White House; the complete history of the domestic and official life in Washington of the nation's presidents and their families

Front matter

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Introduction

NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1909, will mark the one hundredth and eighth anniversary of the formal opening of the White House, at Washington, as the official home of the President of the United States. President John Adams, having taken possession of the newly-built "President's House" in November of 1800, held a public reception on the first day of January following, and thus on New Year's Day of 1801 occurred the official "housewarming" of this now most historic and most important dwelling in the land of the patriots who fought for and won the privilege of erecting it as a home for their own independent ruler.

On the fourth of March next, Theodore Roosevelt will bid farewell to the White House, and his successor will take his place within those walls as the twenty-seventh President of the United States.

Upon these momentous events the attention of the population of each and every State and Territory in the Union, the attention of the whole people from Atlantic to Pacific, and from the Great Lakes to Rio Grande, will be fixed. What season more propitious, then, what occasion more opportune than the present for receiving in our homes this story of the one building to which, more than any other building in the land, we are peculiarly and deeply attached? It seems, indeed, the timeliest of seasons for augmenting one's collection of books by this Inside; History of the White House.

This is Presidential Year. It is the year in which we elect a new Chief Executive of the nation. And, following the election, the time comes when, with profound regret, we say adieu to one of the most extraordinary Presidents in our country's io Introduction

history, while at the same time we welcome, with sincere congratulations, the inauguration and entrance to the White House of that forceful man who, for the next four years, will perform the arduous duties of the country's twenty-seventh Chief Magistrate.

So is this the season when, by reason of the great events in connection with the Presidency, we become naturally and deeply interested in the most exalted office within the gift of the people ; in the different men who, through a century and more, have held that office ; in the man who at present holds that post ; in the man who is soon to succeed the incumbent of to-day ; and, above all, in the official and domestic life of each and every one of the masters and mistresses of the White House in the one hundred and eight years of its existence.

The biography of the Presidents is perpetuated in many volumes already published. The present work is, therefore, by no means merely a series of biographical sketches of the lives of the Presidents. In this book the Presidents and their families are looked at and written about from a new viewpoint. The aim of the present work is to give the citizens of this country a complete account of the daily life, both domestic and official — how they worked, how they played — of the twenty-six Presidents and of the members of their families while they occupied the White House.

This work, then, is the White House Life of the Presidents, their wives, their children and grandchildren — a record of the doings and sayings, from 1800 to the present time, of all the tenants who have had their fleeting day within that white walled home in Washington which is now, and ever has been, of profound interest to the American patriot.

In the breast of the patriotic American the love of these three things is dominant : Love for the flag that protects him ; love for the Chief Magistrate whose duty it is to keep that flag aloft ; love for the building, the White House, that shelters the President of all the people. To those who so love the man and the house around whom and around which the government of

Introduction i i

this country revolves; this book will, it is reasonably believed, make strong appeal both to heart and brain. For in these pages will be found all the facts relating to every phase of official, social and family life of the men, women and children who have occupied that house at the National Capital over which our flag floats and in which our elected Chief Executive of to-day executes the laws for the benefit of eighty millions.

Every one of the thousands of pilgrims who visit the White House yearly, every one of the millions who read about the White House in book or paper, feels some sense of ownership in this building, be his proprietary interest ever so infinitesimal. Lives there a youth who, upon seeing a picture of the White House, has not found his imagination carrying him into that beautiful building as President of the United States ? Within those walls all stand equal; save on the State occasions when the Rules of official precedence prevail. This is far and away the most hospitable dwelling in America. Here have been entertained more people than in any other house in the land. Ten thousand persons have passed through its rooms and shaken hands with the President on a New Year's Day. These are some suggestions of the associations, many and varied, that afford material upon which the present historian has drawn for the facts contained in the ensuing pages.

Compared to a human being, the White House, as a building, is the body ; the home created within that body is the soul. Man built the White House, the body ; but women have ever made the home which is its soul. How men built the house, how women brought soul into it, is here related in detail.

The visible, tangible results of the home-making efforts of the women of the White House are manifest in the furniture, the decorations, the paintings, as placed there during the various administrations. Descriptions of the historical articles that stand upon the floors and that hang upon or decorate the walls, are given.

And having described the scene, the setting, this work then proceeds to relate the comedies, dramas, tragedies, enacted by

12 Introduction

those who have dwelt amid the surroundings named. Here is revealed the life of the masters and mistresses of the White House as they lived it from day to day. The myriad memories of the mansion have each their place in these pages. Here is reproduced the humor and wit of the State dinner ; the romance and marriage and honeymoon of Presidents, their brides, their sons, their daughters ; here are accounts of fun and frolic on festive occasions — on Thanksgivings, at Christmas-tides and at receptions; here are the stories of historical ceremonies that have taken place in the White House; here are depicted occasions first of gaiety, then of gloom, of alternate exaltation and depression, that marked important periods in the life of the White House tenants ; here is set forth the tastes of the dwellers within this home — their habits, their mornings, noons and nights.

In short, here is the intimate, personal, human and heart story of the Presidential home, hearth, fireside, a story embodying both the public and private life of the Presidents and their families at the Executive Mansion during twenty-six administrations.

Our twenty-six Presidents are here shown as husbands, fathers and grandfathers and White House hosts, rather than as statesmen. Not one of these Presidents came from west of the Mississippi. Eighteen of them were lawyers, the remaining eight being farmers, public officials or soldiers. But this work does not deal with sectional feelings or politics or policies ; it does not picture White House life according to administrations, but rather by events and personalities. It is not the Republican nor the Democrat that is here written about, but just the story of the man who was or is the President, together with the story of the woman who acted as mistress of the White House and as hostess of the nation.

The personalities of our "First Gentlemen" and of our "First Ladies" have each their place between these covers. The business of Government as conducted at the White House is told in the chapters giving facts about the Presidents' secre-

Introduction 13

taries; about the Presidential mail and presents sent to the Chief Executives; about the Secret Service force that guards the "First Gentleman;" about Cabinet meetings, and about White House employes.

Every important room within the mansion, with the furniture contained in it, is described. A glimpse is given of the White House collection of portraits, with the stories told by the artists who painted the pictures. The mansion was burned by the British in 1814 — and an account of that dreadful time is here set forth. How is the White House maintained? The facts relating to the maintenance of buildings and grounds, are included. Who was born in the White House? Who was christened there ? Who married there ? Who died there ? All these questions are answered.

Here may be found the details as to matters of entertaining, etiquette and precedence, early-day "drawing-rooms" and levees, latter-day receptions and musicales. Facts about the serving of private and public dinners and other meals, and the stories of the kitchen and dining-room, will probably be of particular interest to the "First Lady" in each household in our country.

Then, as to callers at the White House, and the guests who have slept within those walls — here are stories of the experiences of many of these, from the Prince of Wales and Prince Henry of Germany, down to Jefferson's farm manager and McKinley's farmer friend and Roosevelt's rough-rider friend.

And Sunday, and the use of the Bible at the White House, together with the church-going and charities of the White House tenants — to these important phases of life in the Executive Mansion are devoted three chapters.

In conclusion, the last chapter contains all the facts in which the nation is at present interested concerning the successor to Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty-seventh President of the United States, and his family.

Many authorities have here been drawn upon for data. Wherever feasible, the text has been strengthened and the

14 Introduction

facts emphasized by quoting the actual words of the authorities, including accounts written by visitors to the White House, contemporaneous press despatches, letters of the Presidents and letters of their wives and relatives, messages of the Presidents, various biographies, Government documents, official reports, and, in the case of one President at least, namely, John Quincy Adams, facts are here given in the form of extracts from the only diary of a President that has come down to us.

The author submits this Inside History of the; White House to the public in the hope that those who read it will be inspired with as much of the spirit of patriotism as he gained in

wntmg **■ GILSON WILLETS.

November, 1908. •

Chapter I

Over a Century of the White House. — The three great periods of White House history — Opening the White House in 1800 — Various changes in the White House — Money spent on the President's home — N. P. Willis describes the White House of seventy years ago — The White House of the Civil War — The President's house to-day — White House facts of history — How the White House got its name 25

Chapter II

The First, Second and Third White Houses. — The "President's house," 1800 to 1814 — The first letter written in the "President's house" — The Executive Mansion, 1814 to 1902 — The White House, 1902 to date — White House centennial day — Architects' report after the "restoration." 41

CHAPTER m

White House Life of the Roosevelts. — Roosevelt's informal inauguration — Roosevelt as a man and a public official — The stupendous labors of a President — President Roosevelt's day's work at the White House — Mr. Roosevelt's work-room — The Roosevelt method of work — Declining a third term — Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House — Mrs. Roosevelt as "First Lady" — Mrs. Roosevelt as White House hostess — Mrs. Roosevelt as wife and mother 60

Chapter IV

Inaugurations — Washington to Buchanan. — John Adams first to live in the White House — Jefferson first to be inaugurated in Washington — Madison and Monroe welcomed in Washington — John Quincy Adams takes his father's place — Andrew Jackson moves in — Van Buren and the two Harrisons — From Tyler to Pierce — Buchanan wears his Lancaster suit ... 79

Chapter V

Inaugurations — Lincoln to Roosevelt. — Johnson enters sadly; Grant proudly — Hayes only President taking the oath in the White House — Garfield and Arthur inaugurations — Cleveland to Roosevelt, first days in Washington 90

Chapter VI Page

Early "First Gentlemen" and Their Daily Routine. — First of the "First Gentlemen" in the White House — Jefferson polished despite "simplicity" — John Quincy Adams the scholar — "Old Hickory" in a rocking-chair — Van Buren the President serene — "Rough and ready" Taylor — President Fillmore a physical marvel — President Pierce eulogized by admirers . 99

CHAPTER VH

Later "First Gentlemen" and Their Day's Work. — Lincoln always accessible — Grant always a soldier — President Hayes the hospitable — Garfield's social and business habits — Arthur, handsomest of Presidents — Benjamin Harrison a tremendous worker — Cleveland's autobiography — McKinley's daily routine 107

CHAPTER VIU

"First Ladies" and Presidents' Widows. — Presidents who married widows — Three living widows of the Presidents — Mrs. Garfield living in Pasadena — Mrs. Benjamin Harrison living in Indianapolis — Mrs. Cleveland living in Princeton — Pensions drawn by Presidents' Widows 119

CHAPTER DC

Early White House Hostesses. — The reign of Dolly Madison — Mrs. Monroe an accomplished woman — Mrs. John Quincy Adams a "brilliant ornament" — The first and second Mrs. Tyler — Mrs. James K. Polk both religious and charitable . 126

CHAPTER X

Later White House Hostesses. — Mrs. U. S. Grant loved official life — Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Garfield — The first Mrs. Benjamin Harrison — Mrs. Grover Cleveland a second Dolly Madison — Mrs. McKinley an invalid "First Lady" 137

CHAPTER XI

Relatives as "First Ladies." — Jefferson's granddaughter does the honors — Jackson's "First Ladies" — President Van Buren's daughter-in-law presides — Harrison and Tyler families — Official ladies under Taylor, Fillmore and Buchanan — Johnson's daughter and Arthur's sister as hostesses 146

CHAPTER XH

Secretaries to the Presidents. — President Roosevelt's secretary — How Mr. Loeb handles the White House business — McKinley's secretary, George B. Cortelyou — Lincoln's private secretary, John Hay — President Grant's secretary. Horace Porter — Other notable White House secretaries — The social secretary at the White House 158

CHAPTER Xm

PAGE

Letters and Gifts for the Presidents. — How President Roosevelt's mail is handled — President McKinley's enormous correspondence — Gifts sent to the White House — Presents received by Mr. Roosevelt — Jackson, Grant and McKinley received strange presents — Mighty cheeses at the President's house . 167

CHAPTER XPV

Employes and Clerical Staff. — Colonel Crook, paymaster — Fifty years in government service — Captain Pendel's forty years as doorkeeper — Chief messenger and chief intelligence officer — Duties of the stewards — The corps of waiters 175

CHAPTER XV

Secret Service and Military Aides. — Guards at the New Year's reception — How Harrison and Cleveland were "Secret Serviced" — The White House military aides 183

CHAPTER XVI

Presidential Messages and Cabinets. — In the Cabinet Room with President Roosevelt — Cleveland's official family — Andrew Jackson's "kitchen cabinet" 190

CHAPTER XVH

Public and Private Rooms. — The famous East Room — The Blue Room — The Red and Green Rooms — The State dining-room — The Roosevelt bedrooms — Private dining-room and library — Cost of furniture and a historic desk 195

CHAPTER XVm

White House Portraits and Painters. — Roosevelt as a "sitter" — McKinley sits for the "court painter" — Artist Carpenter lives with President Lincoln — Portraits in the home of the President — Pictures in various rooms — Portraits of the "First Ladies" 203

CHAPTER XIX

Maintenance of Building and Grounds. — Congressional appropriations for maintenance — Light, heat and water — "President's park," terraces and conservatories 214

CHAPTER XX

Three Alarms of Fire. — When the British burned the White House — When the White House stables were burned — Burning of the White House conservatories 218

CHAPTER XXI PAGE

Babies of the White House. — Birth of a granddaughter to General Grant — Three girls born in the White House — Other births in the President's house — Christened in the Green, Red and East Rooms 227

CHAPTER XXH

Child Life at the President's House. — The Roosevelt children — How Grant joined in children's pleasures — President Cleveland's babies — Lincoln's way with children — President Tyler played forfeits . 234

CHAPTER XXm

Sons of the Presidents. — Well-known Presidents' sons — Lincoln's son once a White House tenant — A distinguished son of General Grant — Two sons of President Garfield — A son of President Tyler 239

CHAPTER XXTV

Daughters of the Presidents. — President Roosevelt's daughter "Princess Alice" — Another Roosevelt daughter — "The daughter of the nation," Nellie Grant — President Tyler's daughter . 246

CHAPTER XXV

Grandchildren of the Executive Mansion. — A grandson of President Grant — Grandchildren in Benjamin Harrison's term — A granddaughter of Jackson's time 255

CHAPTER XXVI Brides of the White House. — Fourteen newly-wedded White House couples — Early White House weddings — When President Hayes gave the bride away — Marriage of four sons of Presidents — Marriage of four daughters of Presidents . . 263

CHAPTER XXVH Bridegroom-Presidents. — The only President who married in the White House — Mrs. Cleveland as a bride — President Tyler brings a bride to Washington — President Hayes' silver wedding 271

CHAPTER XXVm

Romance of Nellie Grant. — General Grant's daughter a White House bride — Nellie Grant's wedding ceremony — Doorkeeper Pendel's story of the Grant nuptials 281

CHAPTER XXLX

Romance of Alice Roosevelt. — The Roosevelt-Longworth wedding ceremony — Alice Roosevelt cut the wedding cake with a sabre — Presents from Kings to "Princess Alice" . . . 286

CHAPTER XXX

PAGE

Entertaining at the White House. — Music at the White House — The White House piano — Dancing and other amusements — The question of temperance 289

CHAPTER XXXI

Etiquette and Precedence. — Washington's conception of official etiquette — Jefferson's simple social forms — The order of precedence to-day 297

CHAPTER XXXH

Early-Day "Drawing-Rooms" and Levees. — President Monroe's "drawing-rooms" — President J. Q. Adams as the nation's host — President Van Buren's "drawing-room" — President Polk holds a levee — President Fillmore receives in the morning < 302

CHAPTER XXXm

Latter-Day Receptions and Handshaking. — President McKinley's card receptions — President Roosevelt receives thousands — President Lincoln's "monster" reception — How President Hayes entertained — Handshaking by the Presidents — Lincoln blisters his fingers at a reception 308

CHAPTER XXXIV

Holidays at the White House — Christmas at the Executive Mansion — New Year's day and the great reception — A White House program on New Year's day — First New Year's reception in the "Presidents' house" — N.-P. Willis describes President Tyler's New Year's reception — Cleveland's first and last New Year's receptions — Fourth of July at the White House — Washington's Birthday a gala occasion — Washington's Birthday observed by Cleveland — The Easter Monday egg rolling 318

CHAPTER XXXV

Dinners and Other Meals. — Luncheons, formal and informal — Arrangements for dinners at the White House — President Roosevelt's dinners — President McKinley's dinner arrangements — A State dinner when Hayes was host — Brilliant dinner party given by President Monroe 334

CHAPTER XXXVI

At the Table and in the Kitchen. — What the President eats —

The White House kitchen — The wonderful china service . 341

CHAPTER XXXVH

PAGE

Calling on the President. — The unwritten law of the White House — How President McKinley received callers — Lincoln's gentleness with White House callers — Grant made rigid White House rules — Grant forbids usher to lie for him .... 346

CHAPTER XXXVm

Notable Visitors at the White House. — Author of The Simple Life visits President Roosevelt — McKinley entertains his farm manager — Washington Irving meets Dolly Madison — Irving the guest of President Fillmore — Thackeray received at the White House — James Fenimore Cooper a guest of President Monroe — Captain Marryat visits Van Buren — Charles Dickens .at the Executive Mansion 354

CHAPTER XXXIX

Royal and Titled Guests. — President Roosevelt's titled visitors — President Tyler's titled guest — A Bonaparte entertained by Lincoln — Grant receives the King of the Sandwich Islands — Grand Duke Alexis visits Grant — Queen of Hawaii guest of President Johnson — The Infanta Eulalie received by President Cleveland 367

[CHAPTER XL

Prince of Wales and General Lafayette. — Prince of Wales guest of President Buchanan — Details of His Highness' reception — General Lafayette guest of President J. Q. Adams 277

CHAPTER XLI

When Diplomats Pay Their R.espects. — Receiving a newly arrived foreign envoy — Receiving the first foreign minister — Annual grand reception to the Diplomatic Corps — Annual dinner for the envoys of all nations — Visit of the first Japanese Embassy — Korean and Turkish diplomats at the White House — A famous Russian minister and his American wife 382

CHAPTER XLH

Sunday and the Bible at the White House. — How Mr. Roosevelt spends his Sundays — President McKinley spent the day with his wife — President McKinley fond of singing hymns — Lincoln listens spellbound to a hymn — The great liberator quotes the Bible — Grant talks on the Bible — How Grant regretted Sunday battles — Cleveland's view of the Bible — Cleveland on Christian citizenship 395

CHAPTER XLIH

PAGE

Church-Going of the Presidents. — The White House churches — President Roosevelt at various churches — How President McKinley worshiped — Four Presidents as church members — How Lincoln blessed the churches 403

CHAPTER XLIV

Charities of the White House Tenants. — How Mr. Roosevelt helped the Chinese famine sufferers — Hayes and Cleveland performed kindly services — M r s. McKinley's kindly activities as "First Lady" — Mrs. Hay.^. helped the destitute — President Arthur's family helped children 413

CHAPTER XLV

Recreations of the Presidents. — President Roosevelt's outdoor pastimes in Washington — President McKinley's daily walks — Grover Cleveland on the outdoor life — President Jackson lends his riding horse to a friend 421

CHAPTER XLVI

Presidential Horses, Carriages and Stables — President Roosevelt's ten horses — Stables of Washington, Arthur and Cleveland — Mrs. McKinley's traps attracted attention — How President Grant bought his finest trotter — President Grant's patience with his coachman — Thomas Jefferson's equipages — President Jackson's eccentric and historical vehicles — General Taylor's war horse , ' 429

CHAPTER XLVE

Presidential Farewells to the White House. — Jefferson said farewell with tears of joy — Jackson's return to his beloved "Hermitage" — Van Buren leaves democratically on foot — President Tyler exchanges White House for hotel — President Johnson smiles while his friends weep — President Hayes' last hours in the White House — When the "Baby McKees" went away with Harrison — When Grant revisited the White .House — Benjamin Harrison a visitor where he once was Master : . . 436

CHAPTER XLVm

Died in the White House. — The death of President Harrison — The first White House funeral — The death of President Taylor — The passing of three White House mistresses — Death of Lincoln's son, "Tad" — Other deaths in the White House . 447

CHAPTER XLK

PAGE

Passing of the Three Martyred Presidents. — The passing of Lincoln — Mr. Lincoln's last moments in the White House — President Lincoln's funeral — The passing of Garfield and McKinley — The news of Garfield received at the White House — How McKinley met martyrdom — News of McKinley's death received at the White House 455

CHAPTER L

Our Twenty-seventh President. — Taft not a stranger at the White House — Mr. Taft's career — Mr. Taft's qualifications for the Presidency — How Mr. Taft trained to be Chief Executive — Mr. Taft's hard labor and his hard working secretary — At school and in college — Mrs. Taft, thirty-third "First Lady" — Mrs. Taft as wife and mother — Some characteristics of Mrs. Taft — Elder son of the Tafts — The younger son — Miss Helen Taft, new "daughter of the White House" — The home life of the Tafts — The Tafts as church members — Mr. Taft's outdoor recreations — Some of Mr. Taft's characteristics — Mr. Taft's brother and mother — The Vice-President-elect and Mrs. Sherman 464

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

Gilson Willets Frontispiece

Presidents from Washington to Fillmore 36

Presidents from Pierce to Roosevelt 37

Ladies of the White House . 56

Ladies of the White House 57

The Roosevelt Family 67

The White House Before the Recent Alterations .... 77

The White House as it was in 1800 77

Miss Belle Hagner, Secretary to Mrs. Roosevelt ... . . 87

Mr. Wm. Loeb, Jr., Secretary to President Roosevelt ... 87

Historic Gifts to Washington, Grant and Lincoln ... 98

President and Mrs. McKinley 115

The Famous White House Tulip Beds in Spring Time . . 134

Easter Monday on the White House Grounds 151

Egg Rolling on Easter Monday 151

The Model White House Kitchen 170

The President's Private Family Dining Room 170

Cut Glass Service Used at the White House Table . . . 188

The Famous New Decorated China Service 188

The Patriotic State Dining Room Sideboard in the White

House . T 205

Interior of the White House Stables 223

Some of the White House Pets 242

Ready for a Morning Ride 242

Army and Navy New Year's Callers at the White House . 260

The President's Public Reception on New Year's Day . . 260

In the Spacious White House Corridors 277

The White House and Executive Office Building .... 277

The Executive Office Building 295

Interior View of the Main Office 295

The Cabinet Room with its Historical Portraits . . . . 314

The President's Private Office 314

President Roosevelt at His Desk 332

The President's Room 349

A Corner in the White House Library 349

2A Illustrations

PAGE

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Longworth 359

The White House as it is To-day 373

The Spacious and Imposing State Dining Room 384

The East Room Decorated for Public Functions .... 390

The Historically Famous East Room 407

The Main Hall of the White House 407

The Simple Colonial Blue Room 425

The Red Room of the White House 444

The Green Room of the White House 466

Mr. and Mrs. Taft and Family 475

Note — The photographs used in the Inside History of the White House are copyrighted by Clinedinst, Washington, D. C.

CHAPTER I Over A Century of the White House

THE people of the United States are more attached to the White House and its associations than to any other building in America.

So intimated President Roosevelt in his message to Congress in 1902, when he reported that "the White House has now been restored to what it was planned to be by Washington." As a result of that restoration of the historical structure six years ago, by which all the disfiguring and incongruous additions and changes of a century were eliminated, the White House of to-day stands and looks and is as it was meant to be as originally conceived by "The Father of His Country."

Thousands of pilgrims from every State in the Union, hundreds of tourists from every country in the world, visit the White House in the course of each year. To them the building and grounds form a sort of Mecca to which they are drawn through much reading, day by day, of the dramas, comedies and tragedies enacted within its beloved walls.

The people's interest in the White House is quite different from their interest in the Capitol building. They hold the Capitol in awe because of the business transacted there, because of the laws enacted there affecting the whole nation, Their in-

26 Inside; History op* the; White House

terest in the Capitol is an interest of the brain. But the common interest in the White House is a heart interest. The Capitol is, in a sense, the ofhce of the nation. But the White House is the national hearthstone where gather the members at the First Family of The Land.

Ever since the White House was opened to the public for the first time, by President John Adams, one hundred and eight years ago, the people of this country have read of the joys and griefs ; the births, marriages and deaths ; the festivities and the mournings ; the love and laughter and daily life of the men and women who, each for a brief time, have been its tenants. And so, the White House, through its associations, has become invested with a deep human interest for all the people all the time. And it is this human side of the residence of the "First Gentleman" and "First Lady," in its various aspects and kaleidoscopic changes, that is set forth in the following pages.

Every patriotic person in the country loves his President next to his flag. Each one of us likes to read what the President does day by day, how he looks, how he spends his time, how he passes the Sabbath, where he worships, what recreations he takes, how he treats his guests and what he says to them. Each one of us likes to know the details of the domestic, as well as the private life, of the "First Lady" and the other members of the President's family. We like to know of the tastes and habits of the wife and daughter and son of the Chief Executive, how they conduct themselves at receptions, and how, in a thousand and one ways, they endear themselves to the people from coast to coast. Scenes of sorrow and scenes of joy within the White House are equally interesting, each in their way, to the heart of the American. And it is such information concerning the Presidents and their families, and a description of such scenes within the Executive Mansion that are described in the ensuing chapters.