At their first entrance, they salute me, and I them, and as many as I can talk to, I do.

What pomp there is in all this I am unable to discover.
Perhaps it consists in not sitting.

To this two reasons are opposed: first, it is unusual; secondly, (which is a more substantial one) because I have no room large enough to contain a third of the chairs which would be sufficient to admit it.

If it is supposed that ostentation, or the fashions of courts (which by the by I believe originate oftener in convenience, not to say necessity, than is generally imagined) gave rise to this custom, I will boldly affirm that _no_ supposition was ever more erroneous; for were I to indulge my inclinations, every moment that I could withdraw from the fatigues of my station should be spent in retirement.

That they are not, proceeds from the sense I entertain of the propriety of giving to every one as free access as consists with that respect which is due to the chair of government;--and that respect, I conceive, is neither to be acquired nor preserved, but by maintaining a just medium between too much state, and too great familiarity.
"Similar to the above, but of a more familiar and sociable kind, are the visits every Friday afternoon to Mrs.Washington, where I always am.