The Ladies of the White House

The era in which Mrs. Monroe lived-Her father an ex-officer of the British
Army-Miss Kortright a belle of New York-Her sister-Mr. Monroe a
Senator from Virginia-Falls in love with the pretty girl-Married during
the session in 1789-Reside in Philadelphia, the second seat of the General
Government-Pleasant home life in that city-Mr. Monroe appointed Minis-
ter to France in 1794-The first five years of Mrs. Monroe's married life—A
polished and elegant lady-Proud of her husband and of her country-Fit
representative of her countrywomen at the Court of St. Cloud-Her daughter
at school in Paris-Mr. Monroe an ardent advocate of free government-Not
careful to recognize the opposite feeling in Imperial France-Unpopular with
the Court-His recall asked-Intense sympathy for Lafayette, then in prison
-Agents of the United States employed in his behalf—Mrs. Monroe warmly
interested in the fate of Madame Lafayette-The private feelings of President
Washington not expressed in his official communications-Lafayette's son his
guest while in the United States-Recognizes treaty obligations with France
-Mr. Monroe sends his wife to visit Madame Lafayette-The carriage of
the American Minister at the prison-Mrs. Monroe asks admittance-
-Is permitted to see the Marchioness-Emaciated and prostrated from
fright—Anticipating the summons of the executioner-Her last hope depart-
ing when the sentinel stops at her cell-Her visitor is announced-Thoughts

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of her husband and America overcome her-Sinks at the feet of Mrs. Mon-
roe-Presence of sentinels preclude conversation-Mrs. Monroe assures her
friend she would return the following morning-Speaks so as to be heard by,
those about her-The visit saves Madame Lafayette's life-Was to have
been executed that afternoon-The officials change their mind—Is liberated
next day-Attentions paid her by the American Minister and his wife-The
prestige of the young Republic appreciated-Madame Lafayette's eldest son,
George Washington, sent to Mount Vernon for safety-She leaves Paris ac-
companied by her two daughters-Disguised and under the protection of
American passports-Seeks the prison of her husband-Signs her consent to
share his captivity-Stays by his side until released-Mr. Monroe recalled-
His course defended in America-Mrs. Monroe proud of his conduct-A
greater honor to have saved Madame Lafayette than to have remained Am-
bassador-Friendship between Monroe and Lafayette-Offer of pecuniary
help-Generous conduct on both sides-Returns to New York-With her
family and friends-Mr. Monroe elected Governor of Virginia-Husband and
wife gladdened by this evidence of affection-The old commonwealth proud
of her son-Mrs. Monroe the mistress of the Governor's mansion at Wil-
liamsburg-Governor Monroe appointed Envoy Extraordinary to France to
negotiate the purchase of Louisiana-Robert R. Livingston the other Envoy
-The purchase effected-Mrs. Monroe accompanies her husband-While in
Paris is appointed Minister to England-Sent to Spain on a mission-Mr.
Monroe returned home at the breaking out of the War of 1812-Ten years'
absence in Europe-Return to Oak Hill, their Virginia estate-Home life
not destined to last-Mr. Monroe elected to the Legislature-Chosen Gov-
ernor a second time-Secretary of State under Madison-Mrs. Monroe and
her daughters retire to Oak Hill before the fall of Washington-Remains
until peace is declared-Anxious about her husband-Mr. Monroe succeeds
President Madison in office-Removal to the White House in 1817-Per-
sonal description of her-Mrs. Monroe not like Mrs. Madison-Is not fond
of general society-Her health delicate-She received visits but returned
none-Her "drawing-rooms" were largely attended-An English writer's
comments-Held once a fortnight on Wednesday evenings-The condition
of the White House-The grounds unimproved-Congress orders a silver
service-The furniture of the East Room purchased-The crown of Louis
XVIII. supplanted by the American Eagle-Mrs. Monroe an invalid during
the second term-Marriage of her daughter at the age of seventeen-Wed-
ding reception-A State Dinner at the White House-The East Room unfin-
ished-Mr. Cooper's letter-Mrs. Monroe weary of public life-Close of
President Monroe's second term-Retires to Virginia-Assists in establish-
ing the University of Virginia-Chosen President of the State Convention to
amend the Constitution-Mrs. Monroe heavily taxed with company-The
three ex-Presidents neighbors-People from all the world their guests-
Alone with her husband-Both daughters married-Anxious for her husband
to give up work-His last public position-Magistrate of Loudon County-
Death of Mrs. Monroe-Oak Hill closed-The ex-President resides in New

CONTENTS.

York- His youngest daughter his comfort in old age-His death in 1831-
Survived his wife one year, dying on the Fourth of July-Funeral procession
the largest ever seen in New York-Samuel Gouveneur, Postmaster of New
York City, his son-in-law-Remains interred in New York-Afterwards
removed to Richmond-Few descendants living...

LOUISA CATHARINE ADAMS.
Mrs. Adams the last of the ladies of the Revolutionary period-Born in Lon-
don-Her father, Mr. Johnson, a Maryland patriot-United States Commis-
sioner in France until 1782-Consul to London-Mr. Adams a guest of Mr.
Johnson-Meets his future wife-Marriage in 1797-Mr. Adams takes his
bride to Berlin-Four years' residence there—Returns to America-Settles
in Boston-Mr. Adams elected Senator-Residence in Washington-Pleasant
era of Mrs. Adams' life-With her own family-Summers spent in Boston-
Washington a congenial residence for Mrs. Adams-Eight years spent there-
Her husband appointed Minister to Russia-Mrs. Adams accompanies him—
Two children left behind-Takes the youngest, an infant-Long voyage—
Arrives in St. Petersburg-Prefers exile in Russia to separation from her hus-
band-In the midst of stirring scenes-Europe a battle-field-Napoleon
spreading terror everywhere-Shut up in St. Petersburg-Six years in Russia
-Death of an infant-Mr. Adams' mode of life-Respected for learning
and talent-War between England and America-Mrs. Adams weary of Rus-
sia-Anxious to return home-Mr. Adams a Commissioner to Ghent-The
step-son of President Madison-His position greatly exaggerated abroad—
News from home-Mrs. Adams alone in St. Petersburg with her son-Travels
to Paris to meet her husband-Dangers encountered-Traces everywhere of
war-Passports of little protection-Fastened in a snow-drift-Dug out by
the peasantry of the neighborhood-Robbed by her own servants-The sym-
bol of a Polish cap-Hears of Napoleon's return from Elba-Every cross-
road guarded-Surrounded by soldiers-The presence of mind exhibited by
Mrs. Adams-Meets her husband in Paris-Witnesses the arrival of Nap?.
leon-Flight of the Bourbons-The reception at the Tuileries-Ladies of the
Imperial Court-Napoleon preparing for Waterloo-Advantages enjoyed by
Mrs. Adams-Events of the hundred days-Martial music heard on every
side-Arrival of her children from England after six years of separation—
Departure for England-Mr. Adams Minister to the Court of St. James—
Charles King's eulogy of Mr. Adams-Pleasant life in London-The centre
of a cultivated circle-Return to America-Mr. Adams appointed Secretary
of State-Mr. Adams the recipient of public attentions-Grand banquet in
his honor-Residence in Washington-A charming home-Multitudes of
visitors entertained there-Letter from Mrs. Adams to John Adams-Her
appreciation of her mother-in-law-Her studies-Does not think highly of
the mental capacity of her sex--Course of reading-How she estimates the
philosophers-Likes nothing so well as the doctrines of Christianity-Her
reading too diffuse to be beneficial-The wicked theories of French authors-—
How their venom was destroyed in her case—Her early ideas of life—Views :

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changed with age-Discusses the nature of democratic institutions-Her faith

in the people-Pride in her name" Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"

-Complaints of hard times—The morals of the day portrayed-Mrs. Adams'

habits as a hostess-No exclusions in her invitations-Keenly alive to the

reputation of her husband-Her success in her semi-official position-Mr.

Adams a candidate for the Presidency-Violence of partisan warfare-Mrs.

Adams lives more secluded-Her husband elected Chief Magistrate-De-

scription of the inaugural of Adams-Failure of her health-Presided at

public receptions--Not seen on other occasions-Is tired of public life-En-

tertains Lafayette-His affecting farewell-The President and Mrs. Adams

start to Quincy-Mrs. Adams ill in Philadelphia-Mr. Adams proceeds

without her-Administration of Mr. Adams-Quietness throughout the

world-Much done to consolidate the Union-Mr. Adams a learned man-

The man who had read one more book than John Quincy Adams—Mrs.

Adams glad to leave the White House-Retires to private life-Enjoys it but

a short time-Letter describing her husband and home-Mr. Adams elected

a member of Congress-Removes again to Washington-Occasional visits to

Quincy-Illness of Mr. Adams-He is struck with paralysis-Dies in the

Speaker's room in the Capitol-Mrs. Adams by his side-Funeral at the

Capitol-Remains deposited in the Congressional burying-ground-Letter

from Mrs. Adams to the Speaker of the House of Representatives-Her

thanks to the House for the regard manifested for Mr. Adams-Mrs. Adams

retires to Quincy-Surrounded by her children and relations-A great

writer and translator-Varied accomplishments which gave her pleasure

in her old age-Died in 1852-Her grave beside her husband's at Quincy,

Mass..

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RACHEL JACKSON.

Party strife and bitterness of Jackson's day-Mrs. Jackson a victim of cruel
misrepresentation-Her early life-Daughter of Colonel John Donelson-
Emigrants from Virginia—Travelling in the wilderness-A two thousand
mile journey-Thrilling incidents and dangerous accidents-Indians dogged
their footsteps-Rachel Donelson at the age of twelve-Colonel Donelson a
wealthy settler-A person of consequence-Removal to Kentucky-Marriage
of his daughter-Home in Kentucky-Mr. and Mrs. Robards very unhappy
-His disposition extremely unfortunate-Requests Mrs. Donelson to send
for her daughter-Her brother takes her to Tennessee-A good daughter-in-
law-Mrs. Robards not censured-Her husband solely to blame-A recon-
ciliation effected-Andrew Jackson a boarder at Mrs. Donelson's-Mrs.
Robards returns to her husband-Unmanly conduct-Second separation-
Jackson and his friend seek another home-Mrs. Robards seeks an asylum in
Mississippi-Her husband's threats-Jackson's sympathy for her-Jackson
accompanies the party to Natchez-Dangers from the Indians-Jackson re-
turns to Nashville-Judge Overton's letters-Robards divorced from his
wwife-Decree supposed to be final-Marriage of Jackson and Mrs. Robards