desired to eradicate the lingering remains of the gangrene of slavery; some honestly wished to reform the abuses that had gradually found their way into the executive departments during the war; others howled about extravagance in candle-ends and cheese-parings while they strove to enrich their henchmen from the public coffers. All of these and others who had "Great Expectations" over the action of Congress were sadly disappointed.

One of the most melancholy sights in the Capitol at that time was those ex-Congressmen who persistently arrived at the commencement of each session, and were industriously engaged in lobbying until the final adjourn.. ment. Apparently entranced by Washington life, as Rinaldo was when spell-bound by Armida, or Ulysses when subdued by the cup of Circe, they haunted the vestibules of the hotels, ready to sell their "influence" in support of any bill for a small cash remuneration or a large contingent fee, and if one of them could sit beside a Senator or a Representative at meals, or walk in the streets with him, he mysteriously hinted that the vote of his honorable friend would be "all right." To most Senators and Representatives these former associates were nuisances, when they returned, leech-like, to fatten on old acqaintances and to smouch and soil the reputations of those with whom they came in contact.

General Grant was at times much embarrassed by old army friends and by relatives who sought to profit by their acquaintance with him. An anecdote illustrating this is told by Mr. Nathan Paige, a well-known Washington lawyer. One day when Grant was President, one of his relatives called on Mr. Paige and asked for a loan of three thousand dollars, saying that he had a claim in the War Department that would net him fifty thousand dollars,

which would certainly go through if General Grant would approve it. This gentleman counted upon General Grant's approval as absolute. Paige told him: "I will let you have the money, but you may be sure that he will not approve it unless it is right." No more was said about the matter. Time passed on. The note given for the loan was promptly met. Paige, meeting the borrower upon the street soon after, said to him; "I see your War Department matter got through all right, as the note was very promptly met." The debto shook his head. "How did you pay, then?" was asked. "I will tell you in confidence," was the reply. "After I obtained the money from you, I went directly to the President. I said to him: 'You know I am poor. With a stroke of your pen you can make me rich. I am related to you by the closest ties of blood and association. You cannot refuse me.' I then explained the matter. Grant said he could not do it. It would not be right. Seeing me very much cast down, he asked me if I was in debt. I explained that I was in debt three thousand dollars-your note-and could not meet it. He at once wrote me a check for that amount without a word. It was that check which took up your note." Mr. Paige afterward investigated his story carefully, and having confidential relations with the cashier of the bank where the note was paid, was able to verify its truth.

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CHAPTER XIII.

NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE-WHO WERE THERE AND WHAT WAS WORN-MR. SUMNER ACCEPTS THE SITUATION-MANAGEMENT OF THE INDIANSCONDITION OF LOUISIANA-FAILURE OF CONGRESS TO ACT-RESUMPTION OF WORK ON THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT-IMPROVEMENT OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON -GRANT'S PERSONAL HABITS.

HE reception at the White House on New Year's Day, 1873, surpassed any preceding ones, and presented a scene witnessed only in this coun try once a year, and then only at Washington. The elegant carpets of the White House were covered with white drugget to preserve them from the tread of thousands of muddy boots soon to tramp over them; the shutters were closed, and the lights in the chandeliers were less strong than the excluded daylight; while on every hand were bouquets and baskets of rare flowers, beautifully arranged and filling the air with perfume.

General Grant came into the Blue Parlor precisely at eleven o'clock and took his position in the centre, with General Dent at his side to present strangers. Just beyond, a pace or two in the rear, Mrs. Grant stood, with General Babcock to introduce those with whom she was not acquainted. General Grant wore a full suit of black, and his wife a gown of pearl gray silk, flounced and trimmed with silk of a darker shade and with point lace. The members of the Cabinet (with the exception of Secretary Delano, who was in Cuba) at once paid their respects and took positions behind the President, nearly

all of them accompanied by their wives. Mrs. Fish, who was a stately dame, wore an, elaborately trimmed gown of Nile green silk, and was accompanied by a young daughter in blue silk. Mrs. Boutwell wore a black velvet gown trimmed with white lace, and her daughter a pale blue silk gown trimmed with black lace. Mrs. AttorneyGeneral Williams wore an elegant gown of Nile green silk trimmed with Valenciennes lace. Mrs. Senator Conkling, who was present by special invitation of Mrs. Grant, wore a black velvet gown trimmed with white lace, and Miss Nellie Grant, who was accompanied by several young friends, wore one of her recent Parisian purchases. As all these people said "Happy New Year" to the President and took their places, the band in the ante-room was playing "Hail to the Chief."

Secretary Fish, tall and distinguished in appearance, with gray whiskers, commenced the programme of the day by presenting the members of the diplomatic corps. They came forward in the order of their residence at Washington, the doyen, or eldest, being Blaque Bey, the Minister from Turkey, who, with his secretaries, wore blue frock coats trimmed with gold embroidery, gold lace sword belts, and red felt caps, while his wife wore a rich black velvet gown with sweeping train and superb diamonds. Sir Edward Thornton, of Great Britain, came next, wearing his Knight of the Bath uniform of blue, with scarlet collar and cuffs heavily embroidered with oak and laurel leaves, the breast glittering with orders and decorations; the tall and graceful form of Lady Thornton appeared to great advantage in a royal purple velvet gown, elegantly trimmed. Other legations followed, no one attracting more attention than the Minister from Ecuador, with his bride, who wore a sage green silk gown, with a sleeveless velvet jacket, and a hat of

velvet of the same shade, exquisitely trimmed. The only legation not in court dress was that of Japan, Mr. Mori and his secretaries appearing in plain suits of black. As the legations successively entered the band played a strain of the national airs of their respective countries; the British Minister was greeted with "God Save the Queen," the French by the "Marseilles Hymn," and the German by the inspiring strains of "Die Wacht am Rhein." Toward the close the national airs got a little mixed, but such accidents will often happen in the best regulated families.

The stately form of Chief Justice Chase next appeared, at the head of the burly associate justices of the Supreme Court, all of whom seemed to enjoy life. A few Congressmen and District officials came next, followed by Admiral Goldsborough, who hove in sight with the navy and marine officers. General Sherman followed with the army officers, many of whom wore their new pattern uniforms, some of which were gorgeous with heavy gold aiguillettes and a profusion of gold buttons on the dark blue dress coats, or of plumes in the chapeaux. General Grant surveyed them with evident interest, and perhaps thought how rapidly this "fuss and feathers" would have faded out in his campaign in the Wilderness. When all of these officials had been duly presented the parlors were comfortably filled and presented an animated appearance, nearly all the gentlemen being in gay attire as well as the ladies. And all the while the Marine Band kept playing industriously and melodiously in the ante-room.

At one o'clock the doors were thrown open to the people, who had been for a time collecting without, and they came surging along in double ranks under the guidance of policemen. Each one as he approached the