AN HISTORIC TABLE.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")
SIR,—Associated with North Polar exploration interest is the table used by President Cleveland in practically all of his work at the White House, Washington. A brass plate thereon bears an inscription as follows :— "H.M.S. 'Resolute,' forming part of the expedition sent in search of Sir John Franklin in 1852, was abandoned in Lat. 74°41' N. Long. 101° 22' W. on the 15th of May, 1854. 9he wee discovered and extricated in September, 1855, in Lat. 67° N. by Captain Buddington of the United States Whaler 'George Henry.' The ship was purchased, fitted out and sent to England, as a gift to Her Majesty Queen Victoria by the President and people of the United States, as a token of good will and friendship.
This table was made from her timbers when she was broken up and is presented by the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, to the President of the United States, as a memorial of the courtesy and loving kindness which dictated the offer of the gift of the 'Resolute.' "
The white oak of the table, which is somewhat elaborately carved—Corinthian columns forming the corners—has become with age and sea exposure a rich golden brown. On it I saw
Mr. Cleveland sign several of the most important and far- reaching of his Civil Service orders. Here, too, I believe his messages generally were written and signed. The ample size of the table gave Mr. Cleveland that space which he enjoyed in examining the documents submitted by the Cabinet, and in writing out by his own hand, as was his wont, the more decisive parts of his numerous public papers.—I am, Sir,
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