Like her father in personal appearance and character—A strong,
earnest woman—Description of her mental characteristics—Her
executive ability and energy—The pleasant manners of the
President’s daughter—An unostentatious person—A dutiful daughter
and kind sister—She never had time to play—A busy school-girl—Her
mother’s assistant—The earnest years of early life—At school in
Georgetown—A guest at the White House—Mrs. Polk’s bashful
visitor—Many of her holidays spent there—The marriage of Miss
Johnson to Judge Patterson—A visit to her father at Nashville—Her
home in East Tennessee—The mother of two children—The war—Joins
her parents at Nashville—Her home sacked—The preparations to
return to East Tennessee—News of the assassination—Mrs. Patterson
and Mrs. James K. Polk occupy a carriage in the procession in
honor of Lincoln—Removal to Washington—A dismantled mansion—The
East Room in a wretched condition—A severe task before the new
mistress—President Johnson’s first reception—Mrs. Patterson and
Mrs. Stover beside their father—The White House refurnished—Mrs.
Patterson’s severe duties—A summer spent in Washington renovating
the home of the Presidents—A notable housekeeper—Travels with her
father—The wife of a Senator and daughter of the
President—President Jefferson’s second daughter similarly
situated, but not the lady of the White House—Golden opinions of
Mrs. Patterson—Compared to Mrs. John Adams—Superior common sense
and strong will-power—A Southerner’s love of home—Her conduct
during the impeachment trial—A patient and busy person—The
strength and support of her father—His companion and
counsellor—Devotion to his interests—A levee at the White
House—Mrs. Patterson’s costume described—The farewell
reception—Five thousand people present—The State dinners given by
President Johnson—The last entertainment of this kind—An
interesting account of it—The President’s hospitality—Retirement
from the White House—A stormy and trying ordeal over—Farewells to
old friends 573