Middlebury (VT) Register, "Incidents of the Inauguration," March 25, 1857

         Incidents of the Inauguration 

      (Illustrated with Cuts, by Scrope.)

   Not to be out-done by our city contemporaries, we this week give to our readers an illustrated statement of the general ceremonies of the late Inauguration. Knowing the lively interest in the occasion, we, regardless of expense, sent on Mr. SCROPE, one of our artists, to be present and take such sketches of the affair as would not be likely to get into other papers. Accordingly a few days prior to the 4th of March, that respectable individual put his shirt into a port-manteau and took the cars for Wheatland, where he arrived in time take the following sketch of

   WETLAND, FROM THE BACK WINDOW OF THE HOTEL.

   The animal in the fore ground is no part of the premises, and indeed was not on the spot at the time this sketch was taken, but is thrown in to enhance its value, in an agricultural point of view, and to balance the tree on the extreme left. As Mr. Buchanan is to be absent for four years only, the farm is not for sale. 

   Taking a cup of strong tea, our Artist then strolled down towards the venerated spot and as he approached the sacred precincts, was passed by a parcel of men on horseback, whom he afterwards ascertained was a company of rivals ardently 

   IN PURSUIT OF A CUSTOM HOUSE APPOINTMENT.

   Nimbly stepping into a tailors' shop, to escape being run down, he was gratified on ascertaining that chance had directed him into the identical shop where Mr. Buchanan was measured for his new Lancaster suit; and through the politeness of the shopman, was allowed to take a sketch of an ambrotype, representing 

   AN AFFECTING SCENE BETWEEN MR. BUCHANAN AND HIS TAILOR.

   After gazing his full on the striking beauties of the picture, he stifled his emotions, and grasping his cane with a firm hand, our Artist passed on to the grand mission of his pilgrimage. 

   Arriving at the door of the Wheatland Mansion, he was ushered into the hall, and as he passed on to the drawing room, his emotions may be imagined but never described, as a hasty glance disclosed to his eyes, unostentatiously lying under the table,

   THE HAT WORN AT THE OSTEND CONFERENCE!

   The President subsequently assured Mr. Scrope, in confidence, that he had never ornamented its interior with a brick. The servant showed him into the parlor and Mr. Buchanan would be in directly. Here he was left alone with his thoughts. Gazing around the room he saw upon the walls a picture of the

   VESSEL IN WHICH MR. BUCHANAN'S GRANDFATHER CAME FROM IRELAND.

   While wrapt in the contemplation of the subject, the great Democrat approached our Artist from behind, and hitting him a clip on the back, said "How are you old fellow! Welcome to Wheatland!" Overcome by this gentlemanly familiarity, Mr. Scrope could only gasp his thanks for the reception.

   AMBROTYPE OF MR. BUCHANAN, SHORTLY AFTER HIS RATIFICATION AT THE NATIONAL HOTEL. BY BRADY.

   Our readers are assured this is the first appearance of the cut in this capacity. 

   MR. BUCHANAN'S FAVORITE CHAIR.

   The two then sat down to a confidential chat. The old gentlemen among other things recounted his early love substantially as related in the Magazines during the campaign. Removing his spectacles, to wipe his suffused eyes, our Artist seized the opportunity to take an exact sketch. Here they are:

   MR. BUCHANAN'S SPECTACLES, BY EARLY CANDLE LIGHT.

   Passing into the bed room adjoining, Mr. Buchanan showed to our Artist the following

   SOUVENIR OF HIS LADY LOVE.

   This choice relic he had preserved through all vicissitudes and changes of fashion, as a type and emblem of his romantic and constant attachment. Indeed, he has always hung it on the bed post before retiring to rest. After an hour of ever-to-be remembered conversation, our friend took his leave. At the door step he stopped to take a sketch of 

   MR. BUCHANAN'S BAGGAGE, AS IT APPEARED MARCH 3d.

   At the White House in Washington, our artist was favored with a view of the kitchen and pantry, and hastily grouping some of the articles into a picturesque form, he presented the annexed sketch of

   CULINARY FIXINS' AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

   The day of the Inauguration broke splendidly upon the city. The streets were crowded with people. The military were out in all the pomp and circumstance of glorious war. We have selected one soldier to represent the gorgeous spectacle.

   DAUGERREOTYPE OF GEN. JEFF. DAVIS––FRONT ELEVATION. 

   The President delivered his Inaugural substantial as it had been executed. When Judge Taney appeared to administer the oath, a slight disturbance was caused by the rapid stampede of a colored individual who seemed uneasy in the presence of that distinguished functionary. He had previously been hid in the fence. Here is an exact representation of him:

   FROM THE WEST COLONNADE.

   When we first saw this we thought this figure was after one of the old Masters, but on closer examination we are inclined to the opinion that one of the old masters was after him. 

   The Diplomats of all Nations were grouped upon the Portico, we select at random, the portrait of the 

   NEW BRITISH MINISTER, AS HE APPEARED AT THE CLOSE OF THE CEREMONIES.

   After the exercises were concluded, our artist was admitted, as a special favor, to

   THE FIRST MEETING OF FOGY CABINET. GEN. CASS AND THE PRESIDENT COMING TO AN UNDERSTANDING ON TEXAS SOVEREIGNTY. 

   Before leaving the city, Mr. Scrope visited the National Hotel, and through the kindness of an accommodation official, was shown the following 

   INTERIOR VIEW OF THE PRINCIPAL WATER TANK.

   Mr. Scrope then proceeded to the residence of Mr. Caleb Cushing, and there closed his portfolio by executing the annexed 

   ALLEGORICAL REPRESENTATION OF THE LATE ADMINISTRATION. 

   We are gratified to learn that this picture has been secured by Mr. Douglas, and is to be hung in the back stoop of the suppositious farm in Virginia, which is to be purchased by the Chivalry, for our late excellent Chief Magistrate. 

   Mr. Scrope was arrested at Washington for entertaining designs on the South, but luckily was acquitted. A gentleman from South Carolina was looking over his shoulder at the time he sketched the Runaway negro, and intimated his disapprobation, according to the custom of his country, by firing four barrels of a revolver into the small of his back. With this trifling exception, Mr. Scrope escaped unhurt. Having made a handsome apology to the gallant Southerner for the deep injury he had inflicted on his feelings, Mr. Scrope was allowed to depart.