The Knickerbocker, Vol. 22, No. 1, July 1843Various
General
The Knickerbocker, Vol. 22, No. 1, July 1843
Various
Periodicals
'Virginia,' replied Burrell. 'I think there are more gentlemen in
Virginia, Sir, than there are about Congress. In Virginia, Sir, if a
gentleman wanted to abuse the President, he wouldn't come right by
his carriage, where I, his coachman, am sitting, to talk it out so
as I can hear it. I, Sir, I've waited on him ever since he was first
married; I ought to know what kind of a man he is; and the way they
lie about him makes me so savage sometimes, that I feel as if I'd
like to have some on 'em tied to a tree, and have fair play at 'em
with this horse-whip.'
This anecdote is enough to show what kind of a master the President
is.
When Pettrick the sculptor was stabbed by some midnight assassin, as
soon as the President heard of it he hurried to his studio, where
the deed was perpetrated, and not only ordered him to be provided
for, but saw him attended to himself.
One Sunday just after dinner, there were several loud ringings of
the front door bell, when the President, who had left a gentleman
alone in the dining-room, returned and said: 'They have it through
the city that I have been shot!'
'With paper bullets of the brain, I suppose they mean, Mr.
President,' said the guest.
'No,' replied the President, 'with leaden bullets from a pistol.
Come, walk out on the portico, and smoke your cigar.'
The President with his guest walked out on the portico, whither soon
came thronging a crowd of the President's friends, who, hearing the
report through the city, had hastened to the White House to learn if
there was any truth in the story.
There was no truth whatever in it; but every body present was struck
with the President's indifference to the report, and the absence
of all curiosity on his part as to how it originated. He only
remarked: 'If I am shot at, gentlemen, it will be more in malice
than in madness;' and apologizing, by saying that daily confinement
required that he should take exercise, he rode away in his carriage
unattended.
As a husband and a father, President Tyler is a model for any
man; and particularly for public men, who too often neglect their
families. For a very long time the lady of the President was in
feeble health, which terminated in her death last summer. It was
a beautiful moral spectacle to see the President, amidst all
the cares and perplexities of his exalted station, beset by so
many detractors, so devotedly watchful of Mrs. Tyler's declining
condition. In the midst of the veto days, when engaged in the most
animated political conversation, if Mrs. Tyler chanced to be in
the room, the President's eye every minute wandered to her, in
affectionate regard; and when she left the room upon the arm of her
son or daughter, he would watch her anxiously and in silence till
she withdrew, and would often remain in melancholy thoughtfulness
for minutes afterward, forgetful of the conversation and those
around him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account