PREFACE.

THE Ladies of the White House have had no biographers. The custom of the Republic, which relegates back to private life those who have served it, has made it difficult to gather much of stirring interest concerning the women who have made the social history of the different administrations. From privacy they came, to privacy they were returned, and the world took little cognizance of them beyond noting the entertainments they gave, and the success that attended their dinners and receptions.

In the historical works of the age-even in the biographies of the Presidents themselves-not much has been said of women, who, for the most part, were powerful adjuncts to their popularity, and exerted great influence over their lives. The most that has been written of them heretofore were descriptions in the daily papers of the appearance of the lady of the White House on some public occasion, and with this the world has been content until now. We have had a hundred years of domestic honor in the White House-a hundred years which has added much to the glory of the country abroad, and it is but fitting that women, who have held the highest social and semi-official position in the nation, should be made historic subjects. No better time than the present could be found for filling this serious gap in general American history. The moral influence that has been exerted by the untarnished reputations and high social qualities of the women who have successively filled the position of Hostess of the Presidents' House, cannot be estimated. Without the effective and intelligent aid they rendered, no administration would have been satisfactory; and though the political historian may ignore such service, the right-thinking, honorable men or women of this country have a higher appreciation of the services rendered by these ladies, who were the power behind the throne, equal in social influence to the throne itself, and a historical work bearing upon their lives is a valuable contribution to the nation's official history.

Such a one is now offered to the people of this country. It is a complete work, comprising a biographical sketch of every President's wife and hostess of the Executive Mansion from Mrs. Washington down to Mrs. Garfield.

The information contained in the volume has never been compiled in any other form, and there are many historical facts of a most interesting nature for the first time presented to the public. The book contains the portraits of the wives of the Presidents, and of the ladies who presided over the Mansion during the administrations of unmarried Presidents. At a time when the women of this country are commanding the attention of the civilized world by reason of their higher education, superior mental attributes, and exalted social status, such a book is of exceptional value.

The mechanical execution of the work will commend itself to all lovers of excellence in book-making. Nothing has been left undone that would make it worthy of the ladies whose records it contains. The unusual attractions of the theme, the style in which it is published, and the place in the country's history which such a book fills, conspire to render it a work which the public and private libraries of this country cannot afford to be without; they cannot be called complete without a copy of the Ladies of the White House."

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CONTENTS.

MARTHA WASHINGTON.

Personal appearance of Mrs. Custis-Introduced to Colonel Washington-Tra-
ditions relating to their first interview-The body-servant's long wait for
his master's appearance-His orders to put up the horses for the night—
The wooing of the soldier lover-Returns from the seat of government to
offer himself-Engagement-Marriage-The wedding at the "White House"
-The Virginia home of the bride-A most joyous and happy event-The
girlhood of Martha Dandridge-The belle of Williamsburg-Her first
marriage-Death of her eldest son-Colonel Custis-His fine character
and romantic nature-Happy married life with him-Left with two children
-She manages her estate after her husband's death-Residence near her
father's home-Twenty-six years old when she becomes Mrs. Washington
-Had never known care or poverty-Her high social position-Removal to
Mount Vernon-Again the mistress of a wealthy planter's home-Often
with Washington in Williamsburg while he was a member of the Legisla
ture-Her life a happy one-Washington's great consideration for her-
Only letter preserved that was written by him to her-Mrs. Washington before
her death destroyed all her letters-This one overlooked-His assurance that
he is unwilling to part with her and their children, at the time that he is
made Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army-His only unhappiness
due to her loneliness-Urges her to be content, and not complain of what
he could not avoid-Makes his will in her favor, and hopes that his "dear
Patsy" is pleased with its provisions-Her visits to him-Travels in her
private carriage to his head-quarters each year-The servants wish his re-
turn home-Washington anxious about her, and after her arrival sent letters
of thanks to all who had been attentive to her-The officers glad to see her-
Once insulted in Philadelphia through party bitterness-Sensitive to her hus
band's fair fame-Mrs. Washington not fond of dress-The spinning wheels
and looms in her house-Washington's inaugural suit the handiwork of his
household-She wears "a simple russet gown and white handkerchief about
her neck" to a ball given in her honor--Two of her dresses woven from the
ravelings of brown silk stockings and old crimson chair-covers-Washington's
return to Mount Vernon-called again from his retirement-Mrs. Washington's
crowning glory-Some other attributes-Her life an interesting one, veiwed
historically-Mrs. Washington not much of a reader-A good daughter and
mother, but not a notable housekeeper-Her husband the manager of the estab
lishment-The children governed by him-A source of regret that he had nc