The Wilmingtonian., 1824-03-11
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
DEscR1prIoN OF MS PERSON, MANNERS, &c

n ~
The person Of George Washington was uncom- n
lmonly tall. Mountain air, abundant exercise inl'
1.-The open country, the wholesome tolls of the
|chase and the delightful scenes of rural life. ex-
banded his limbs to unusual, but graceful and
well propor,ioned size, His exterior suggesedls
Ito every beholder the idea Of strength, united,
with manly gracelnlness His form was noble, y
and his port majestic No man could approach
him without respect. His frame was robust his
constitution vigorous and he was capable OF en-
during great fatigue His passions were naturally
strong with them was his first contest, and over
l|them his first victory. Before he undertook to,
command others, he had thoroughly Learned to
flcommand himself.-The powers of his mind were
lmo,e solid than brilliant Judgment was hisl,
,f,rte To vivacity, wit, and the sallies Of lively
s|i mac inaton, he made no pretensons His facul-
land Newton; but were very unlike those of Vol.
S taire Possessed Of large proportion Of common
,lsense, directed by sound practical Judgment hel
isl ~ better fitted for the exalted stations 10 which,
4. e was called, than many others who to great
e e. hrilliancy Of parts, frequently add the eccen
Y IT ic ties ofgenus.
4 Truth and utility we're his objects. He steadi-
,ely pursued and obtained them. With this view
.rhe thought much, and closely examined every
N subject on which he to decide. in all its rela
n tions. Neither passion, party spirit, prejudice,
aIamhition nor interest, influenced his delihera-
.dltion. In making up his mind on great occasions,
ldImany of which occurred in which the fate Of the
O. army or nation seemed involved, he sought for in
erlfnrnaton from all quarters resolved the subject
ct|by nigh, and by day. and examined it in ever,
lpuint Of view. Guided by these lights, and infu
n fenced by an honest and COOL heart, he was im
,rp-rceptibly led to decisions which were wise ant
enl judcious-Perhaps no man ever lived who W y.
so often called upon to form judgment in cases
wi of real difficulty and who 50 often formed righ
,tonnc Engaged in the busy scenes of life, he knew
ghuman nature, and the most proper method o.
accomplishing proposed objects. of thousan,
sip opositions, he knew to distinguish the BEST ant
h. select among a thousand the individual mos
an lifted for his purpose
u.s. As military man he possessed personal corr
ie,Iage and frmness which neither danger nor dit
a, .|6culty could shake His perseverance overcam'
'ht levery obstacle: lis moderation conclated I'll op
Oh ID ,sition; his genius supplied every resource
Grille knew w to conquer by delay, and deserved
neltrue praise by despising unmrritrd censnre. In
me rior to his adversary in the numbers, the equip
ment and discipline of his troops. great advsn
III ltage was ever obtained over him, and no oppor
m'ltuni'y to strike an important blow was ever ne
-lglected In the most ardent moments OF tn
contest his prudent irmness proved the salvatio
ng lof his country.
IN The whole range of history does not present
incharacter, on which we can dwell with entire "
tea mixed admiration. His qualities were SO happll
,on blended, and nicely harmonized, that the r.
lo'' Isult was great and perfect whole.
81 -
mar sin letter to Gen. Knox, written after Il
me ninaton of the revolutionary war, Washingte
ote pbseryes-" strange as il NAV seem. il is neve
theess true, that it is not till lately could &
, 1.-THE better of my usual custom Of rum inating,
h al awoke in the morning, on the business of Il
who ..wla;1. 49, a't ~ ,u n,;od ,,at Iss
,ms niger public man. or had any thing to do wi
y'lpubic transactions"