White House gossip

by Edna M. Colman

At the height of his popularity, when he was in demand everywhere by individuals, groups, and associations who sought to honour him, Mrs. Grant became disturbed over the condition of her right eye, which had been injured in girlhood by a peculiar and distressing accident that occurred while she was boating with a party of young people on the river near her home at White Haven. Through accident or someone’s carelessness, an oar flew up and struck her in the eye. Surgery not being advanced, as it is to-day, the eye never resumed its normal position, being slightly turned. The General would not listen to the suggestion of an operation. He reminded her that he had fallen in love with her with her eyes just as they were, and had been contentedly looking at them for a good many years and did not wish them changed. His veto settled the matter for all time.

Mrs. Grant established a new plan for the weekly Cabinet day receptions that became so popular as to be followed more or less by her successors. She invited some of the ladies of the Cabinet, wives of Senators or other officials, as well as visiting friends and celebrities to assist her on these occasions, generally entertaining her receiving party at luncheon on the appointed day. After the Cabinet meeting, the President would join his wife and receive with her.

The evening receptions, like those of the Grant home on Minnesota Row, were always packed with an eager, interested crowd.

One of the distinguished visitors to the Capital the first year of the Grant régime was the nineteen-year-old Prince Arthur, young son of Queen Victoria of England, who was elaborately entertained at the British Legation.

The President did not feel it incumbent upon him either to make an especial call upon the young man or to give a special entertainment in his honour. Instead, the Prince was invited to the regular state dinner of the week, just as any other distinguished visitor might have been.

Among the many problems presented to Mrs. Grant was the selection of a fashion dictator for American women. So long had the charming and elegant Empress Eugénie been the arbiter of fashion that, with her eclipse in the passing of the last Napoleonic empire, women were at a loss for a leader. Accordingly, they besought the First Lady of the Land to settle the matter. Mrs. Grant, with her usual wisdom, referred the representative of the press to Mrs. Fish, wife of the Secretary of State, saying:

“In matters pertaining to good sense and fine tact, I rely upon Mrs. Fish. Say to her that you seek her presence by my direction.”

Upon learning that Mrs. Grant desired her to make a statement for publication as to whether or not the ladies of the Cabinet would originate the styles, Mrs. Fish said:

“I am glad the time has come when we shall have fashions of our own and not be dictated to by those who differ with us in the spirit of our institutions. This is a republic, not an empire or a monarchy. No woman, either at home or abroad, will be followed or allowed to set the fashions for this country. So far as I am concerned, the short, comfortable street dress has come to stay, and the neat-fitting basque in some form will always be found in my wardrobe, and I trust every woman will seek her own convenience and comfort whilst thinking of other things than dress.”

Mrs. Grant’s gowns were notable for their good taste and elegance. The first administration, or at least the first three years of it, were rather quiet, owing to the fact that the children, all but small Jesse, were away at school. Mrs. Grant liked to have her own people around her, and her family was pretty thoroughly and constantly represented in the house guests.