Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-27
PRINTED AND PUBEIs8ED,
DAILY,
From the National Inteliigencer.
GEN. WASHINGTON.
HIS LIFE, H7BIT.S. AND WINNERS.
From the Gusts recOlleetions.

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HIS LIFE, H7BII,S. AND WINNERS.
From, the Gusts recodeetions.
General Washington, during the whole o
both his public and private life, was very ear
ly riser; indeed, the Maternal Mansion, at which
his frs, habits were formed, abhorred the char
acter of sluggard, much as nature does a
vacuum Whether as Chief Magistrate, or the
retired Citizen. we find this man of method and
labor seated in his library from one to two hours
before day, in Winter, and atday break in Sum
mer. We wonder at the amazing dealof work
which he performed. Nothing but method
the most remarkable and exemplary, could
have enabled him to accomplish an amount OF
labor, which might have given pretty full EN-.
ploymen, to the lives Of half dozen ordinary,
and not idle men. When we consider the vol
ume OF his official papers-his vast foreign,
public, and priv, correspondence-we are
scarcely able to believe that the space Of one
mans life should have comprehended the dong
so many things, and doing them so wen His
toilette was soon made. A single servant pre-
pared his clothes, and laid them in readiness al
SO combed and tied his hair; he shaved and
dressed himself, giving but very little of his
precious time 10 matters Of that sort, though re-
markable for the ncatness and propriety of his
apparel. His clothes were made after the old
fashioned cut, of The best, though plainest ma
terials. When President Of the United States,
the style Of his household and equipage cores
ponded with the dignity Of his exalted station,
though avoiding as much as was possible every
thing like shew or parade. The expenses Of
his Presidency, over and above the salary of
Government, absorbed the proceeds of the sale
Of very considerable estate
The President never appeared in military
costume, unless to receive his brethren OF the
Cincinnati, or at reviews. lie then wore the
old opposition colors of England, and the regi-
mental dress Of the Volunteer Corps which he
commanded prior to the Revolution. With the
exception Of the brilliant epaule,tes, we believe
present from General Lafayette, and the dia-
mond order OF The Cincinnati, pre- epled -hy -,h~
Ssap 81 ri TIE UNIFORM Of the CONNIE nder
in Chief Of the Army and Navy, under the Ion,
s,;.u,;on. was as plain as blue and butf could
make il. The cooked hat, with the black no
bon cockade,- was the only type OF the herpi
time, which appended to the Chief, during MS
Civil Maglsiracy; in all other respects ne
seemed s,udiously to merge the mlii!ary into
the civil characteristics OF his Pnoiic NE
About sunrise, General Washington invaria-
bly, visited and inspected his stables. lie was
very fond of horses, and his equipages were al
WAYS of a superior order. The horses when
he rode, in the War of independence. were said
,o,e sunerb. We have perfect remembrance
of the charger which bore him IN the creates!
OF his lriumohs, when he r, ceived the SWORD OIL
the vanuuished, on the ever mSmoranie ie'h
October, 1871. II was a chestnut, with white
face and legs. aud Was called Nelson, alter the
n,,rio,ic Governor Of Virginia. Far different
WAS the fate of this favorite horse OF w ashinS
ton. from that Of "the high melted Racer =
When the Chief had relinquished Its back, II
was never mounted more, but cropped the her,
baee in Summer, was housed and well cared
for in Winter often caressed by The masters
hand, and died Of old age at Mount vernon
MANY wears after the Revolution. The Library
and a visit to the stables, occupied the morn
ing till The hour Of breakfast; this meal wac
without change to him, whose habits were reg
ular, even 10 matters which others are so apt TO
indulge themselves in, TO endless variety In
dian cakes, honey, and tea, formed this temper
ate repast On rising from table, it there was
+. guests, and i, was seldom otherwise, books and
papers were offered Tor their amusement; they
were rogue sled to take good care of'hemselves
and the i,lus,rious Farmer proceeded TO the dat
" tour Of his agric ultural concerns. Tie rode
upon his farms entirely unattended, opening his
gates, pulling down and putting up his fences,
as he passed, visiting his laborers at their work
inspecting all the operations OF his extensive
AGRICULTURAL establishments with a careful eye,
directing useful improvements, < super'n'end
ing them in their progress. He introduced
MANY and valuable foreign, as well as domestic
modes of improved husbandry, showing, by ex
pertinent, their practical utility, and par''cnia
adaptation to our system Of rural affairs and, b!
his zeal * ability, "gave speed to the plough,
and generous impulse to the cause OF Agr'
culture and Domestic Economy-those imPor
tant sources of National Wealth, Industry, ant
independence.
The tour of the farms might average IRON
ten TO fifteen miles per day. An aneedote oe
ours TO US at this moment, which, as 1t emora
ces revolutionary worthy, long tried an
valued friend OF the Chief, and is graphic
Washington on his farm, we shall, without apollo
gy, present to our readers We were accosted
while hunting; by an elderly stranger, who in
ouired whether the General was to be found a
the Mansion House, or whether he had gone Il
visit his estate. We replied, that he was abroad
and gave directions a. to the route the arrange