The door of the White House may be said never to be closed, and any one who desires may call upon its occupants as upon those of any other dwelling. He may not, however, obtain a personal interview. This, to be secured, he must seek in the company of an official or intimate friend of the president, who will be able to judge of the claims for attention of a visitor.
No particular style of dress is required to make one’s appearance at the Republican Court.
No refreshments are expected to be offered at a presidential reception.
Custom does not require that the wife of the president of the United States should return official calls. Exception is made in the case of visiting Royalty. The wives of the foreign ambassadors should make the first call upon the wife of the vice-president, as should the wives of the cabinet officials. At a function given by officials of foreign governments at Washington, the wife of the secretary of state takes precedence over the wives of the foreign ambassadors.
CHAPTER XI.
Business Correspondence, Applications,
Etc.
Since custom is the principal magistrate of human life, let men by all means endeavor to obtain good customs.—Lord Bacon.