described as extraordinary, and to wondrous graces of person she added a brilliant intellect. Livingston's first wife was Mary McEvers. Eliza McEvers became the wife of John R. Livingston.

In 1834, when Edward Livingston, who had been Secretary of State, accepted the appointment of Minister to France, he was accompanied by Mrs. Livingston and his daughter. Mrs. Livingston was born in one of the West India Islands; her family, driven from home. by the horrors of revolution, came to New Orleans. Her brother was Minister from the United States to the Hague. She was possessed of rare intellectual attainments as well as personal attractions; her manners were gentle and refined, and she was brilliant in conversation, for her well-stored mind and extensive observation fitted her to shine among the cultivated. Her daughter, Cora, inherited her mental qualities and her loveliness. She was in Washington with her parents when it was menaced by the British troops, in 1814. Amid the hurlyburly, says Parton in his Life of Jackson, "the grim and steadfast warrior found time to caress and love the little girl who sat on his lap and played around his high splashed boots at head-quarters while he was busy. For her sake he retained one of his horses from the public service."

When Edward Livingston did not return to New Orleans, Major Mitchell, the highest English officer in rank among the prisoners, was held as a hostage for the safety of the Americans in the British fleet. One day

General Jackson, calling on Mrs. Livingston, found her in great anxiety about her husband. Cora, the little girl, whimpered, "When are you going to bring me back my father, General? The British will kill him." The mighty man of war stooped, and patting the little one on the head, said, "Don't cry, my child; if the British touch so much as a hair of your father's head, I'll hang Mitchell."

Miss Livingston was famous as the belle of Washington in the time of General Jackson's administration. She was married to Thomas Barton, who went as Secretary of Legation on the mission to France. The party traveled through Switzerland and Germany. At Heidelberg, Professor Mittermaier, the voluminous and enlightened advocate of jurisprudential reforms (called the German Brougham) received the card of Mr. Livingston, with whom he had corresponded. He came to the hotel, and, on seeing him, rushed into his arms, clasped and kissed him, to the surprise and amusement of the ladies.

When Mr. Livingston returned home, Mr. Barton was left as Chargé des Affaires. He came to the United States in 1836, bringing water for the fire between Jackson and Louis Philippe.

Mrs. Barton continued to reside at Montgomery Place after her mother's death, in 1860. Mr. Livingston's rooms were kept in the same state as when occupied by him. She has for many years resided in New York.

A lady thus described an evening scene at the

Executive mansion in the early part of Jackson's administration. "The large parlor was scantily furnished; there was light from the chandelier, and a blazing fire in the grate; four or five ladies sewing round it; Mrs. Donelson, Mrs. Andrew Jackson, Mrs. Edward Livingston, &c. Five or six children were playing about, regardless of documents or work-baskets. At the farther end of the room sat the President in his arm-chair, wearing a long loose coat, and smoking a long reed pipe, with bowl of red clay; combining the dignity of the patriarch, monarch, and Indian chief. Just behind was Edward Livingston, the Secretary of State, reading him a dispatch from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. The ladies glance admiringly now and then at the President, who listens, waving his pipe towards the children when they become too boisterous.”

Brief mention of the wife of the military President may not be inappropriate, though she was no social leader. Rachel Donelson was a dark-eyed and darkhaired brunette; a gay, handsome, and spirited lass “ as ever danced on the deck of a flat-boat, or took the helm while her father took a shot at the Indians." Her first husband was Lewis Robards, of Kentucky. She married Jackson in 1794. The last marriage was a happy one, their affection being elevated by mutual respect, sympathy, and unselfish kindness. Mrs. Jackson, in her husband's absence, took care of the farm and a hundred and

fifty slaves. She had a wonderful memory for anecdotes and tales of pioneer adventure, and had not lost her merry disposition or her liking for old-fashioned dances. She was short and full in person, while the General was tall and gaunt. Having no children, they adopted nephews. The biographer of Jackson pays Mrs. Jackson a tribute of praise, as exemplary in all relations, with a warm, true, and excellent heart, frank and cordial manners; liberal in hospitality and overflowing with kindness. "Aunt Rachel" was loved by all the young people, and was "the stay and solace of her husband's life." At a ball given in New Orleans, after the peace of 1815, she mingled in the dance with the merriest. She wrote graphic letters descriptive of a journey to Florida, and a residence at Pensacola. A new "Hermitage" was built for her abode, where hung her portrait in white satin, topaz jewelry, low corsage, and short sleeves. She came to Washington with her husband, traveling with coach and four, in the autumn of 1824. Her health was in a precarious state. In 1828, she revisited New Orleans. Her reception was a splendid one; a brilliant circle was assembled to wait upon her, and fêtes were given in her honor. The huge old family coach, which afterwards was among the curiosities of the Hermitage, was there presented to her by the General; and the set of topaz seen in her portrait, by the ladies of the city.

When Mrs. Jackson came to the White House, the ladies of Washington took it on themselves to arrange

the dresses suitable for her. The good lady, with her homely bearing and country manners, was both maligned and caricatured by the anti-Jackson party. One picture represented her perched on a table, with Mrs. Livingston lacing her stays. The General, however, was blind to any want of fashionable elegance, and always put honor on his "bonny brown wife."*

The high moral tone and pure taste prevalent in Washington society at this period was illustrated by the refusal of the ladies to visit or receive one whose conduct had been open to reproach, though influence was used in official quarters to induce them to relent. The President himself contended in vain with their determination.†

*See Parton's Life of Jackson.

Mr. Parton, in his Life of Jackson, gives an account of the origin of the scandal about Mrs. Eaton. William O'Neal kept a tavern in Washington, at which several Senators and officers boarded. Major Eaton came first, in 1818, and stayed there ten winters; Andrew Jackson also was a regular boarder. O'Neal had a pretty daughter, lively, saucy, and full of repartee. She was married to Purser Timberlake; but in 1828 came the news of his death. There had been some scandal in regard to her and Eaton. Then the Major consulted Jackson as to the propriety of his wedding the pretty widow. "Why, yes, Major," replied the soldier; "if you love the woman, and she will have you, marry her by all means. Your marrying her will disprove these charges and restore Peg's good name." The marriage took place in 1829.

No sooner was it whispered that Eaton was to be a member of Presi dent Jackson's new Cabinet than the ladies at the head of society became alarmed. "Peg O'Neal" the wife of a Cabinet minister, would be, as such, entitled to admission into their sacred circle. Horrible! General