The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-03-22

and distinction. Col. Chopper retired to his
estate on the Eastern Shore, where he lived
to an advanced age This worthy veteran,
like his General, had one toast, which he
gave every day, and to allcompanies it was,
&c cd bless General Washington" Toasts
are supposed to convey the feelings and
wishes OF our hearts; and if ever an aspra-
ton. warm and direct from the heart, de-
served to find favor with "IIeaven's Chan
Gerry" on high, it was when, with pious fer
vor, this old soldiers prayer implored
blessing upon his reyered commander.
The afternoon was usually devoted to the
library. At night, his labor over, the ven
cradle citizen would join his family and
| friends at the tea-table, and enjoy their So
ciety for several hours-took no supper, and
about nine o'clock, retired to bed. When
without company, he frequently read to his
family extracts from the new publications OF
the day, and, on Sunday, sermons and other
sacred writings. He read with dstlnctness
and precision, though with voice, the
tones Of which had been considerably broken
by pulmonary affection in early life, and
which when greatly excited. produced la
boring of the chest.-IIe would frequently.
when sitting with his family, appear absent;
his lbs would move, his hand be raised, and
he would evidently seem under the influence
of thoughts which had nothing to do with the
quiescent scene around him. lhis pecu
liarity is readily accounted for, since it must
/ be no very easy matter for one who so long
had borne the cares Of public life, at once to
lay aside all thought for others, and become
content with individual concerns
In Winter, when stress OF weather pre-
4 vented his taking his usual exercise, he was
! in the habit of walking for an hour IN the
portico before "ctiring to rest. AS the East
{ ern portico of the Mansion House is more
. than ninety feet in length, this walk would
q comprise several miles.
= Thus in the seldom varied routine Of use
n full industry, temperate enjoyment, and the
q heartfelt qualifications of domestic felicity
q sped the latter days Of the Father OF hls
!, Country; and oh it was lnXurious to behold
i, this .'time honored man." the race OF whose
. glory was run, who had seized the goal Of
J all his wishes, obtained the reward OF all his
;. tolls, in the freedom and happiness of RS
IS ing Empire, resting from his mighty iabols
. amid the tranquil retirement OF Mount Eer'
G non.
The sedentary occupations Of President
e of the United States, necessarily Limited tht
il opportunities for active service. nest
i. we're principally enjoyed in occasional ride
e to the country, and in frequent walks 10 III
!. watch makers in Second street, for the pur
:. nose of regulating his watch by the time
: keepcr. AS he passed along often woult
r. mothers bring their children to look on tn
ID Paternal Chief, vet not word was hear
a of President of the United States: the lit
l. tie innocents alone were "tanght to lips tn
r. name of Washington"
" He was rather partial to children; thei
infantne playfulness appeared to please hiH
m and many are the parents who at thus day
te rejoice that his patriarchal hands hav
n touched their offspring.
I'd General Washington was always strlt
h. and decorous observer OF the Sabbath II
n. invariably attended divine service once
- day. when within reach of place OF woi
i ship. His respect to the Clergy, as bod,
he was shewn by public entertainments to the'
on the same as to the Corps Legislative al,
lis Diplomatic, and among his bosom friend
ID; were the present venerable Bishop OF Fem
m sylyania, and the late excellent prelate ar
ne ardent friend of American Liberty, ga
e- roll, Archbishop of Baltimore.
a On Sunday. no visiters were admitted
,is the Presidents House, save the inmedia
ne relatives of the family, with only one excel
- tlOn Mr., Speaker rumDull, SIllet, NV
On. ernor of Connecticut, and who had been CO.
in 6dential Secretary to the Chief in the WI
le. Of the Revolution, was in the habit OF spen
. ing an hour with the President, on Sund'
he evenings. Trimbul practiced the lesson
ad punctuality which he learned in the servi
mel Of the olden time, with such accuracy, tn
he the Porter, by consulting his clock. could tt
he when to stand ready to open to the Siea
as er's Bell, as it was called in the famii
i'm from the circumstance of no hand, 9th
f a than the Speakers, touching the bell on Il
TO evenings OF the Sabbath.
Forty years husband, Gen. Washlngt
he retained an old fashioned habit of husband
it's as he always did the ease and elegance
Dr. old-tashioned manners.-He wore suspen
nv. ed from his neck, by gold chain, and res
ri. ing on his bosom, the miniature portrait
it his wife, from the time Of his marriage u
his til he ceased to live in nature. The lett
ne which he wrote to her, upon his acceT
Sc ance of the command of the armies OF l4ibe
ous ty, (Which letter, dated June 18th, 1775,
rec published in this work, from the autograph
but is proof both of his conjugal tenderne
ex- and diffidence in receiving SO important
civ commission; also of the purity of his hea
( and of the generous and nobly disinterest
.ss- motives, which governed his life and aot'o
vas The circumstances attending his first
.et, l,i loIu pl, ,u11 rly frt