176 AMICABLE FEELINGS. specified in their cards of invitation. He was placed on the right hand of the President, who took wine with him first, and all the ambassadors in rotation asked him, as a tacit acknowledgment that their respective governments were desirous of peace, and that all approved of his efforts to maintain it. This conversation originated in my having mentioned that Sir John Harvey had received the thanks of the Queen's government on the occasion. He smiled when I compared his own reception to a Roman ovation, and when I adverted to the compliment that had once been paid to the Duke when he entered the House of Commons. He mentioned, as another conclusive proof of the good feeling of the country, that not much business was done in Congress on the day he reached Washington, and that most of the members came to him to greet him; and he ended by again emphatically repeating, "I only mention these circumstances to BOUNDARY QUESTION. 177 prove the sincere desire of my country for peace." We went home with him, and, after tea, he got up a whist-party for us; and both he and the good-humoured Commander-inchief, who has much wit and naïveté of manner, permitted Captain O- to take their likenesses; and a most agreeable evening concluded a delightful and interesting day. General Scott entered with me very fully into the Boundary question and his views regarding it; and ended by saying, "his friend Harvey and he could settle it in half an hour over their first bottle of wine." He also spoke of his treaties with the Indians. A detestation of chicanery, and a love of fair and open dealing, characterised all he said. I had long known that General Scott was looked up to as a first-rate soldier, highly talented, and one of the most conscientious, honourable, and upright men 178 PERSONAL OBSERVATION. that breathe. Personal observation has con vinced me that he well deserves his high reputation, and his kindness to me I shall never forget. Adieu. LETTER XV. Mr. Davies and Anecdotes of former Days-Washington-His Habits of Business-Bet regarding a Note written by him-Lords formerly, and still, in high Consideration-Lord Napier and the old Lady -Elbow-room-Society at Saratoga. Saratoga, Sept. 5, 1840. "L'UNE des marques de la médiocrité de l'esprit est de toujours conter," says La Bruyère; but I must beg leave to differ from him, for the assertion was fully contradicted in the person of Mr. Davies, who was one of our whist-party last evening, and who is a most agreeable man, and author of several popular works, but so desperately fond of story-telling, that start any subject you will, and he has a story ready to match it. I did duty this morning as a listener, whilst he and General Macomb kept up the ball in grand style. The latter commanded at Platzburg, of which he gave us one or two curious anecdotes; but those which Mr. Davics related of Washington were particularly interesting. Many of them shewed the minuteness and precision with which that pre-eminently great man did every thing: his habit of noting down the most trifling events, and keeping copies of every line he wrote; even recording the different items expended on the purchase of a bonnet for his wife, and making a copy of his letter to her on the occasion. Mr. Davies forcibly contrasted this triviality with the stern dig nity with which he treated a corps of discontented officers, and the beautiful military letter he addressed to them when they threatened to resign because a junior had been placed over their heads by brevet, and a command given to him. He gave us another anecdote strongly |