The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-12-14
DECEMBER II, 1926

|
always gave the tone to the character CT the
child. and we hope to be permitted to say,
that since the renowned days of antiquity,
mother has not lived, to give the tone and
character Of real greatness to her child, than
her, whose remarkable lite and actions this
reminiscence will endcavour to illustrate.
| The mother of Washington, in forming
him for those distinguished parts he was
destined to perform, first taught him the du-
ties of obedience, the better to prepare him
for those of command. In the we'll ordered
domicil, where his early years were passed,
the lcvity and indulgence, common to youth,
was tempered by difference and well regu-
| lated restraint. which, while it curtailed, or
suppressed no rational enjoyment, usual in
the springtime of life, prescribed those en-
joyments within the bounds of moderation
and proPriety.
The matron held in reserve the authority
which never departed from her, not when
her son had become the most illustrious of
men. 1t seemed to say, am your mother
tho being who gave you life, the guide
who directed your steps when they needed
the guidance ofage and wisdom; the parent
al affection which claimed your love, the
parental authority which commanded your
obedience; whatever may be your success,
you owe them most to me. Nor did the
chief dissent from these truths, but to the
last moments of his venerable parent, yield
ed to her will the most dutiful and implicit
obedience, and felt for her person and char
acter the most enthusiastic reverence and
attachment.
This lady possessed not the ambition
which is common to lesser minds and
the peculiar plainness, yet dignity, OF her
habits and manners, became, in no wise,
altered, when the sun Of glory rose upon her
house.
The late Lawrence Washington, Esq.
/, of Chotank, one of the associates of the
Juvenile years of the Chief, and remembered
| by him in his will, thus describes the home
of the mother.
aI was often Il &c, with George, his play
mate, schoolmate, and Young mans compan-
| ion. OF the mother was ten times more a
| fraid than ever was of my own parents 8
she awed me in the midst of her kindness,
for she was indeed truly kind. have often
been present with her sons, proper tall fell
lows too, and we were all as mute as mice;
and even now, when time has whitened my
locks, and am the grand parent of Sec
ond generation, could not behold that re.
narkable woman, without feelings 1T is in
possible to describe. Whoever has seen
that awe-inspring air and manner so charac-
teristic in the Father Of his country, will re-
member the matron as she appeared when
the presiding genius of her well-ordcred
household commanding and being obeyed."
Of the many anecdotes touching the early
life of the Chief, we shall present our read
ers with one of no ordinary cast and charac-
ter.
The blooded horse was the Virginia fa-
yourite of those days as well as these. The
mother. fond of the animal to which her de-
ceased husband had always been particular
" attached, had preserved the race in its
greatest purity, and at the time of our story
possessed several young horses of superior
promise.
One there was, a sorrel destined to be as
! famous land for much better reason) as the
horse which brutal emperor raised to the
dignity of consul. This sorrel was OF a
fierce and ungovernable nature, and resisted
all attempts to subject him to the rein. He
had reached his fullest size and vgour, un-
conscious of rider. ranged free as the air,
Which he snuffed in triumph, tossing his
name to the winds; and spurning the earth
in the pride os his freedom.
twas matter of common remark, that
man never would be found hardy enough
to back, and ride, this vicious horse. Sever
al had essayed. but deferred by the fury of
the animal, they had desisted from their at
tcmpts, and the steed remained unbroken,
The young Washington proposed to his
companions that if they would assist him in
confnng the steed so that bride could
be PLACED. in his mouth. he would engage to
tame this terror of the parish According
ly, early the ensuing morning, the associates
deceived the horse into an enclosure, where
they secured him, and forced bit into his
mouth. Bold, vigorous, and young, the dar-
ing Chief sprang to his unenvied seat, and
then bidding his comrades remove their
tackle, the indignant courser rushed to the
plain.
AS if dsdaining his burthen, he at first at
tempted to fly, but soon felt the power of an
arm, which could have tanned his Arab
grandsires. in widest course. on their ma
| tive deserts. The struggle now became ter
rife to the beholders, who almost wished
that they had not joined in an enterprise, so
likely to be fatal to their daring associate
But the youthful hero, that "Spirt-protect-
ed man, clung to the furious steed, till, Cen
taur-like, he appeared to make part OF the
animal itself. Long was the conflict, and the
| fears of the associates became more reliep-
cd as, with matchless skill, the rider pre-
served his seat, and with matchless force
| Nuhp Il