[Pg 100] [Pg 100] “Old Hickory” heard of this movement, and wrote to the proprietors, asking that the names of the gentlemen making the request be published in the memorial number of the paper. This also was agreed to, and it is significant that twenty-six of the seventy-three men who had signed the petition called and erased their names from the document. “The Hermitage” at Nashville, which is still a very attractive spot for visitors, was built solely to please Mrs. Jackson, and there she dispensed gracious hospitality. Not merely a guest or two, but whole families, came for weeks at a time, for the mistress of the mansion was fond of entertaining, and proved herself a charming hostess. She had a good memory, had passed through many and greatly varied experiences, and above all she had that rare faculty which is called tact. Though her husband’s love for her was evident to every one, yet, in the presence of others, he always maintained a dignified reserve. He never spoke of her [Pg 101]as “Rachel,” nor addressed her as “My Dear.” It was always “Mrs. Jackson,” or “wife.” She always called him “Mr. Jackson,” never “Andrew” nor “General.” [Pg 101] Both of them greatly desired children, but this blessing was denied them; so they adopted a boy, the child of Mrs. Jackson’s brother, naming him “Andrew Jackson,” and bringing him up as their own child. The lady’s portrait shows her to have been wonderfully attractive. It does not reveal the dusky Oriental tint of her skin, the ripe red of her lips, nor the changing lights in her face, but it shows the high forehead, the dark soft hair, the fine eyes, and the tempting mouth which was smiling, yet serene. A lace head-dress is worn over the waving hair, and the filmy folds fall softly over neck and bosom. When Jackson was elected to the Presidency, the ladies of Nashville organized themselves into sewing circles to prepare Mrs. Jackson’s wardrobe. It was a labour of love. On December 23, [Pg 102]1828, there was to be a grand banquet in Jackson’s honour, and the devoted women of their home city had made a beautiful gown for his wife to wear at the dinner. At sunrise the preparations began. The tables were set, the dining-room decorated, and the officers and men of the troop that was to escort the President-elect were preparing to go to the home and attend him on the long ride into the city. Their horses were saddled and in readiness at
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