She was the first woman to receive the Medal of Honour from Congress, with a personal testimonial from the President of the United States; the first woman commissioned as assistant army surgeon; the first woman to adopt men’s attire for her permanent dress and then legalize it by obtaining an Act of Congress to authorize her use of it; and also the first woman prisoner of war to be exchanged for a man of her own rank. And all of this grew out of her resentment at having been born a girl and her lifelong rebellion over the limitations hedging the feminine sex. Always annoyed with the exactions of fashions which she would not follow, as expressed in hoop skirts, high heels, false hair, and rouge, Dr. Mary, at the opening of her professional career, devised and wore what she called the American Reform Costume. With the opening of the Civil War, Dr. Walker was commissioned a first lieutenant and assistant army surgeon. She served on battlefields and in hospitals, where her use of man’s attire facilitated her work. Her bravery under fire and untiring service for the wounded brought her the Medal of Honour from Congress and the personal thanks of President Lincoln. To the end of her life, she wore her masculine garb and her cherished medal. Her later years were devoted to philanthropy. The season thus opened by the presidential family, brilliant functions followed one another in rapid succession, and all Washington social leaders joined the official celebrities in the number and splendour of the banquets, balls, dances, and receptions. President Arthur, “First Gentleman of the Land,” completely revised his social régime, reverting to the formality and exclusiveness of the code planned by General Washington and Alexander Hamilton, although he occasionally dined with friends; and while Mrs. McElroy did no calling, she too reserved the right of dining out. Mrs. McElroy introduced serving tea at her afternoon receptions and refreshments after all other receptions. The formal dinners were the President’s especial delight, occupying whole evenings. They were achievements in gastronomic art, and the elegance of their service made them a distinctive function of the administration.