THE PRESIDENT'S PRIVATE LIFE.

Aside from the arduous official duties of the President of the United States, it is interesting to note some of the pleasure and profit that accrue from his term of four years. With an income of $138 a day, or $50,000 a year, paid by the strongest bank in the country, the United States Treasury, he may or may not leave office with a snug fortune of perhaps $100,000, depending on whether his expenditures have been of an extravagant nature. Many Presidents have taken office as poor men, but with the money they have saved during their term, and the influence that the office has brought them in business pursuits afterwards, they have died comparatively rich.

The country instals the President in the White House—a magnificent residence—and surrounds him with every convenience. With an appropriation that Congress makes every year most of the expenses of this establishment are paid.

The following is a fair idea of the many incidentals that come free to a President: Every bit of linen, bedding, towels, and such things is furnished. He is shaved by the White House barber. His table is spread with the finest, daintiest damask, set with the most exquisite china, and bountifully supplied with flowers from the White House conservatories. If he sends a telegram, it is done from an instrument in the White House, for which the government pays. His stationery, postage, etc., cost him nothing. Should he desire a game of billiards, there is a beautiful table at hand; or if he wants to take a drive, his stables, which the government pays the rent for and takes care of, are amply equipped. When he enters his business office, a man is stationed at the door to open and close it; and a private secretary, to whom the government pays a salary of $5000 a year, assists him with his correspondence. The services of a type-writer are also furnished. He is protected from the curious by a number of private watchmen. Should he want a cruise, a magnificent steam-ship from the navy is placed at his disposal.

There are many other things that cost him nothing, such as the culinary arrangements, his steward, who does the marketing, the many fancy delicacies sent him by enterprising firms. This, by-the-way, is a sort of nuisance, for it seems to be the desire of every manufacturer of some new eatable or drinkable to get it into the White House. Things of value that find their way there are never accepted.

Lately the bicycle manufacturers have tried to get President Cleveland to ride a wheel, and have offered the most extravagant inducements to both the President and Mrs. Cleveland. One firm said they would present Mrs. Cleveland with a gold bicycle studded with gems if she would ride it.

The President has to give state dinners and state receptions, but the expenses of these yearly probably do not exceed $7000 or $8000. The Marine Band always supplies the music, and the flowers come from the conservatory. It is seldom necessary to decorate the reception-rooms of the White House, so that these affairs, although of elaborate and ceremonial nature, are still inexpensive.

Upon his retirement to private life, the influence that his Presidential office has given him enables him to secure large sums in payment for whatever he may do, such as a lecture, an article in a periodical, or, if he practises law—which most of our ex-Presidents have done—such fees as $10,000 are no uncommon thing.