The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

DAILY LIFE AT THE WHITE HOUSE 79
are certain social forms and usages to be observed. Some-
times it is proper to insist upon having these customs recog-
nized in the proper manner. But, generally speaking, we are
apt to allow our selfishness to crop out after we have passed
beyond the years of our childhood days.
AN ACCOMPLISHED LINGUIST
Mrs. Roosevelt speaks French and Italian very well. Her
sister. Miss Emily Carow, lives in Italy. Mrs. Roosevelt has
visited with her in that country, and took occasion to make a
special study of the two languages most spoken in Italy. The
President himself speaks German almost as well as he does
English.
The President is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church,
and Mrs. Roosevelt is an Episcopalian. They usually attend
church together, sometimes going to the Dutch Reformed
Church, and at other times to the Episcopal service.
THE PRESIDENT SHAVES HIMSELF
President Roosevelt retires between eleven and twelve
o'clock at night. He arises at seven every morning. There
is a White House barber who sometimes shaves the President.
Usually, however, the President shaves himself. As his own
barber, he is something of an expert. He has been in the far
West so much, living as a ranchman and a hunter, that it has
been impossible for him to have the services of a barber at all
times. He became so accustomed to shaving himself that he
prefers to do so now, from force of habit. Notwithstanding
this, a barber is employed at the White House constantly. In
addition to serving as a tonsorial artist for the President and
his boys, whenever needed, he acts as a messenger.
The President sits down to breakfast at 8:30, and by 9:15