nstructed of oak from the original timber of the frigate
Constitution. It had been made at Amherst, Massachusetts, and was
presented by sixty admirers. It had one seat, holding two persons,
and a high box for the driver in front, bordered with a deep hammer-
cloth. The unpainted wood was highly polished, and its fine grain
was brought out by a coat of varnish, while on a panel on either
side was a representation of "Old Ironsides" under full sail. The
phaeton was drawn by General Jackson's four iron-grey carriage-
horses, with elaborate brass-mounted harness.

Arriving at the Capitol, General Jackson and Mr. Van Buren went to
the Senate Chamber, where they witnessed Colonel Johnson take his
oath of office as Vice-President. They then repaired to a platform
erected over the steps of the eastern portico, followed by the
Diplomatic Corps, the Senators, and the principal executive officers.
A cheer greeted the old hero, who had risen from a sick-bed, against
the protest of his physician, that he might grace the scene, and
a smile of satisfaction lit up his wan, stern features as he stood
leaning on his cane with one hand and holding with the other his
crape-bound white fur hat, while he acknowledged the compliment
paid him by a succession of bows. Mr. Van Buren then advanced to
the front of the platform, and with impressive dignity read in a
clear, distinct voice his inaugural address. His manner and emphasis
were excellent, yet the effect upon the multitude was not what
might have been expected from so great a collection of men devoted
to his support. When he had concluded Chief Justice Taney administered
the oath of office, and no sooner had Van Buren kissed the Bible,
as a pledge of his assent, than General Jackson advanced and shook
him cordially by the hand. The other dignitaries on the platform
followed with their congratulations, the populace cheered, and the
bands played "Hail to the Chief!"

President Van Buren and ex-President Jackson were then escorted
back to the White House, where for three hours a surging tide of
humanity swept past the new Chief Magistrate, congratulating him
on his inauguration. The assemblage was a promiscuous one, and
the reception was as disorderly an affair as could well be imagined.
At four o'clock in the afternoon the members of the Diplomatic
Corps called in a body, wearing their court dresses, and Don Calderon
de la Barca, who was their Dean, presented a congratulatory ad