X.

MRS. POLK was born in Tennessee, and was the daughter of Captain Joel Childress. She was a pupil at a Moravian Institute, and pursued her studies for two years under the care of instructors among this singular people. Perhaps the quiet, gentle, benevolent traits of character with which she became familiar in such association contributed to mould her own, or at least to encourage the growth of those womanly and Christian virtues for which in after life she was distinguished, and which adorned the eminent position she occupied.

Soon after her education was completed, Miss Childress left North Carolina, her father having taken up his residence in Murfreesborough, Tennessee. Here, in the bloom of nineteen, she was married to Mr. James K. Polk, who had been lately elected to the Tennessee Legislature. In 1825 he was elected a member of Congress. During fourteen sessions he continued a National representative, spending the winters at Washington; and in all but one Mrs. Polk was with him. Being often appointed the chairman of important committees, Mr. Polk's house was frequented by persons of political distinction; while the estimable qualities of his wife drew around her the best in the social circles of the

metropolis. Among their visitors were many illustrious persons, whose services to their country have become. historical, besides those entitled to distinction on the score of intellectual and social accomplishments. All were charmed with Mrs. Polk; and her womanly grace and dignity, her mild and amiable temper, her reserved yet winning and fascinating manners, crowned with humble and fervent piety, impressed all who were acquainted with her, and exercised a widely beneficial influence. She was always consistent in her walk, and governed her life by religious precepts rather than by regard to the opinion of the world. She was eminently charitable, and it is said that no applicant worthy of assistance, or engaged in any work of true benevolence, ever failed to receive aid at her hands. To many objects deserving support, her donations were munificent. These good deeds were always performed in a manner so simple and unostentatious that others either did not discover, or knew little of them. They were not for the voice of public praise.

Some complimentary verses on her leaving Washington were addressed to Mrs. Polk, in February, 1839, by the eminent jurist, Hon. Joseph D. Story, and showed his friendly regard. In that year Mr. Polk was called to fill the office of Governor of Tennessee. Mrs. Polk's devotion to his interests at all times, her spirit of conciliation and kindness, and the attractive graces of her deportment, had an important influence, not only on friends, but on members of the Legislature opposed to

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the governor. Although never desirous of the distinction of a female politician, she had taken great pains to make herself well acquainted with public affairs. One who knew her intimately, said there were few days in the in which she did not spend a certain time reading the leading journals containing the grave productions of superior minds. The matter which only healthy, strong, and reflective minds could comprehend or digest, was always preferred by her to the light, frivolous literature of the day. Yet she rarely conversed on the subject of politics, and never was vehement in argument, or heated in advocating the side her judgment approved.

When James K. Polk was inaugurated President of the United States, in March, 1845, the home of his family was in the city of Washington. Mrs. Polk remained with him during the four years of his administration, with the exception of the summer of 1847, which she passed among friends in Tennessee. In this eminent station, where so much lies in the power of a true-hearted woman, she won from all parties not only approval, but unqualified admiration. Wide as were the differences of opinion relative to the President, visitors, friends, opponents, were unanimous in their praises of the grace and dignity with which Mrs. Polk presided over her department. A lady's letter to South Carolina says: "She is one of our sex of whom I feel justly proud, on account of her efficient good sense, admirable tact, experienced judgment, quiet decision, and irreproachable conduct, during her husband's whole admin

istration; and I am sure that, without distinction of party, she has secured the unqualified approbation and good-will of every person who has visited her at the White House."" She possesses, in a remarkable degree, kindness of feeling, equanimity of temper, good-humor, and conversational power, with affability of manner, and firm though unobtrusive determination of purpose. She is peculiarly fitted by nature, education, and extensive intercourse with the best society, to adorn her elevated station. In various positions she has always been self-possessed and equal to the occasion; being easy without familiarity, and dignified without restraint."

Mrs. Polk partook of the prejudices of many members of the Presbyterian Church, and would not permit dancing or cards in the house of which she was the mistress. At church a stranger would not be struck with any difference in her dress from others in the congregation; but, the same writer remarks, " at her grand levees, in full dress, she is a most imposing, magnificentlooking woman, and receives her numerous guests with grace, eloquence, and charming affability."-" She disarms envy by her unaffected good sense and good feeling, and fully appreciates the folly of upstart assumptions of aristocratic superiority."-"I have every reason to believe that when her husband resigns his office, she will carry with her into retirement the unqualified respect and esteem of the whole American people."

Many testify to Mrs. Polk's faculty of making herself popular with all classes; it might emphatically be

said of her: "None named her but to praise." Besides her attractive personal appearance, the kindly warmth of her manner bespoke heartfelt sympathy. A visitor at the White House, at a levee given on New Year's day, thus describes the scene and Mrs. Polk: "The foreign courts were well represented in the imposing splendor of official costumes and uniforms shining with gold. The audience-room was nearly filled. Many ladies, beautifully attired, stood near the wife of the President; but among them all I should have selected her as fitly representing, in person and manner, the dignity and grace of the American female character. Modest, yet commanding in appearance, I felt she was worthy of all the admiration which has been lavished on her. She was richly and becomingly dressed, and easy and affable in deportment; looking, indeed, worthy of the high station which Providence had assigned her."

Mrs. Maury, in her "Englishwoman in America," mentions Mrs. Polk among the three ladies who have shared in the honors of the presidency whom she has seen. "Truly," she says, "among the queens whom I have seen, not one could compare with the regal grace of Mrs. Madison, the feminine, distinguished personnel of Mrs. Polk, and the intelligent and ladylike demeanor of Mrs. Adams. The first of these ladies is still, at the age of eighty-six, eminently beautiful, with a complexion as fresh and fair, and a skin as smooth, as that of an English girl. Mrs. Polk is a very handsome woman. Her hair is black, and her dark eyes and complexion