:J1 



CHAPTER II. 



Who cjoverns the United States ? — How it is done — Trying my wings — 

 Senator Harris — Albany — Governor Morgan, the woman hater — My 

 first battle— Victory— Salm, Colonel of the 8th N. Y. Regiment- 

 Arrival in Aldy — Breaking up a camp — Ride to Chantilly— The 

 country-seat of a Royal Stuart, 



During the absence of my husband in the field I had remained, 

 in Washington, to which place my sister had removed, whose 

 husband was employed there. Salm and I kept up a most 

 lively correspondence, of course in English, of which he had 

 acquired some knowledge. In fact we wrote to each other 

 every day, but, owing to the irregularity of the mails, and the 

 frequent interruptions of communication, we remained some- 

 times very long without any news from each other. I received 

 once sixteen of his letters at the same time. 



It is said that ladies have a very great influence in the United 

 States, and I think it is so. I suppose, however, that it is 

 more or less the case everywhere, for everywhere men are at 

 the head of affairs, and everywhere the strong sex are weak. 



I might say a good deal about this influence, and the manner, 

 means, and ways in which it is gained, maintained, and used ; 

 but for what purpose should I do so ? The ladies are in the 

 secret, and if the men do not know it, they may be satisfied 

 with the frequently quoted saying that ' ignorance is bliss.' 



A reason why the influence of ladies in America is even 

 greater than in other countries may perhaps be that they are as 

 a rule very pretty and clever, and that they understand better 

 how to control their hearts than is said to be the case in other 

 parts of the world. To keep the heart cool is, I suppose, the 

 key to the American ladies' secret.. 



