Jefferson Davis Ex President Of The Confederate States Of America Volume 1 PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XL. SOCIAL RELATIONS AND INCIDENTS OF CABINET LIFE, 1853-57. The wives of Mr. Pierce's Cabinet officers labored in their sphere as well as their husbands. We each endeavored to extend hospitality to every member of Congress, of both Houses, at least once during the winter. We did not " bank the mantels with flowers" as is done now, for very good reasons--it was not the fashion, and many of us, I, for one, could not bear the heavy odor in a crowded room. We bought, out of our private purses, all the flowers we used, and we were none of us what would in this day be called rich. If we had been so at the beginning of the official term, we should have become poorer every day, as well from inattention to our private affairs as to the utter inadequacy of the salary. A few palms or azaleas growing in pots, and other ornamental plants grouped about the room, made them acceptable, and ignorance was "bliss" to us. If a measure was to be recommended by the Administration, the Chairmen of the Legislative Committee, to whom these recommendations would be referred, were invited and the plan was informally unfolded to them. If a man was dissatisfied with the Administration and not personally offensive in his disapprobation, he was invited to breakfast or some informal meal, where a personal explanation was possible. However, these methods probably prevail now as they did then, and will continue so to do until trees cease to "bear fruit after their kinds." If a scientific association met at Washington, or whenever any distinguished people met in convention, they were invited as a body to an entertainment in their honor. At one of these I remember a remarkable experience. The morning of the day on which the Association visited us, Dr. Robert Hare, ...