"Dolly" Madison was the mistress of the executive mansion, and we have all heard our fathers say how beautiful she was, and how charming as an entertainer. Captain Hull of the victorious _Constitution_ was present, and to add to the _éclat_ of the occasion the captured colors of the _Alert_ and _Guerriere_ were draped on the wall. Then there was a representation of the _Constitution_, rudely drawn, 'tis true, but it served the purpose. Beneath it were the words: "A bunch of pine boards, under a strip of striped bunting." It wanted only a few minutes of midnight. The revelry was at its height. A more brilliant scene could not be imagined. The elegant toilets of the ladies, the gorgeous uniforms of the representatives of the army and navy, the bright court dresses of the diplomatic corps, looked dazzlingly beautiful beneath the light of a thousand wax candles held by multitudinous sconces. An old-fashioned minuet was being danced, when a murmur passed through the room. How it originated no one could have told, but all seemed to know that news of another victory had been brought. The Secretary of the Navy left the room, and in a few minutes re-entered, accompanied by two officers wearing lieutenants' uniforms. Men clapped their hands, women waved their handkerchiefs, and the scene was changed from one of terpsichorean pleasure to that of patriotic delight. Then one of the lieutenants handed a document to the Secretary of the Navy, who read it in silence. His face wore an expression of pleasure as he finished, and turning to the people he said in a voice husky with patriotic emotion: "I have the proud privilege of introducing Lieutenant Hamilton of the good ship _United States_, who will tell you of an engagement on Christmas Day whereby the English lost their warship _Macedonian_, forty-nine guns." If the cabinet officer had intended saying anything more, he was doomed to disappointment, for the people's cheers drowned all utterance. When silence had been obtained, the secretary led another lieutenant forward. "This, ladies and gentlemen, is Lieutenant Tempest, of the _Lively Bee_, privateer. He has to tell of the sinking of his Britannic majesty's ship _Monarch_, and the capture of the armed merchantman, the _Caroline_." Again the cheers resounded, and Tempest saw himself reflected in the mirrors as the recipient of a glorious ovation. But when it was known that the two heroes had brought with them the colors of the captured vessels, the enthusiasm exceeded everything imaginable. Captains Hull and Stewart were commissioned by the President to bring in the captured trophies. When they re-entered the hall, Captain Hull and Lieutenant Hamilton carried the flag taken from the _Macedonian_, while Captain Stewart and Tempest performed the same act with the _Monarch's_ colors. Amid the plaudits of the people the flags were laid before Mrs. Madison, who allowed the young officers to kiss her hand.