WIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS—LIFE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
A Social Queen—“The Most Popular Person in the United States”—The
Slow Days of Old—Traveling Under Difficulties—Political
Pugnacity—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—Waiting in
Suspense—Taking Care of Cabinet Papers—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!”—Two Plain Old Ladies from the West—They Depart in
Peace—Days of Trouble and Care—Manuscripts Purchased by
Congress—Last Days of a Good Woman—Mrs. Monroe—A Severe and
Aristocratic Woman—Madame Lafayette in Prison, 192