Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-01
From tie National hiell;geneer.

a. From tie National lateikgencer
The description. OF Gen. WAsHINoroN, whilst
President Of the United States, taken from
London Periodical Work, is full OF interest. II
is drawn by the hand of a master, and, as far as
our information enables us TO Judge, with sin-
puIar 6delity.. What is said also Of Mrs. Wash
ipsgon, and Of the mode Of living and receiving
company in the city residence ofthe President,
corresponds well with the accounts we have had
Of it from those who had personally observed It.
WASHINGTON, WHILST PRESIDENT.
The folio ing article is from the London
New Monthly Magazine. The London Sun
attributes it TO the pen of Hazlitt, and calls It
ga Sketch of Washington, one OF the greatest
men the modern world has ever seen.
"Washington-I remember my father telling
me he was introduced to Washington, in 1890,
BY an American friend. A servant, welI-looking
and we'll dressed, received the visitanis at the
door and hy him they were delivered over TO an
officer of the United States service, who usher.
ed them into the drawing room, ii which Mrs.
Washington and several ladies were sealed,
There was nothing remarkable in the person Of
the lady Of the President; she was matronly and
kind, with perfect good breeding; she al once
entered into easy conversation, asked how long
ne had been in America, how he liked the coun-
try, and such other familiar but general ques.
5, lions. In few INMATES the General entered
the room; Il was moi necessary 10 announce ms
name, for his peculiar appearance. his hrm
forehead, Roman nose, and q projection OF the
lower Jaw, his height and figure, could not be
mistaken BY any one who had seen a full length
picture of him, and yet no picture accurately
resembled him in the riinute traits oil his per-
son, His features, however, were so marked
by prominent characteristics, which appear IN
all likenesses Of him, that stranger could not
be mistaken in the man; he was remarka9ty ote-
ni6ed in his manners, and had an air OF GnlHnf
~ over his features, which his visitant dlunot
expect, being rather prepared for siernness OF
countenance.
safer an introduction by Mrs Washington,
without more form than common good manners
To he seated; and, taking oha'f ", ui." ,a,nsr
tsrsa a, once into conversation. aIS - -.
country. the civ Of New-York; talked Of the
infant institutions of America, and The advan-
tages she offered, by her intercourse, Ter bene-
Sitting other nations. He was grave IN manner
but perfectly easy. His dress was OF purple
satin. There was commanding air in his APP
pearauce which excited respect, and forbade 100
great freedom towards him, independently OF
that species of awe which is always felt in the
moral influence ola great Character. In every
movement, too, there was polite gracefulness
eaual 10 any met with in the most polished in
dividuals in Europe, and his smile was extraor-
dinarily attractive. II was observed to me thai
there was an expression in Washington's face
that no painter had succeeded in taking. 1t
struck me no man could be better formed for
command. stature ct SAX feet, robust, buI
well proportioned frame, calculated to sustain
fatigue, without thai heaviness which generally
attends great muscular strength, and abaies
active exer,ion, displayed bodily power OF no
mean standard. A light eye and ful-the We
~ eve ofgcnius and reflection, rather than OF
blind passionate impulse. His nose appeared
thick, and though it be6tted his other features,
was too coarsely and strongly formed TO be the
handsomest Of its class. His mouth was like
no other that I ever saw; the lips firm, and the
under jaw seeming to grasp the upper with
force, as If its muscles were in foil action when
he sat still. Neither with the General nor with
Mrs. Washington was there the slightest res
traint of ceremony, There was less oft than
I ever recollect TO have met with, where perfect
good breeding and manners were at the same
time observed. To many remarks, Washing
ton assented with smile or inclination of the
head, as if he were by nature sparing in his con-
versation, and am inclined TO think this was
the case. An alusion was made 10 a serious
fit Of illness he had recently suffered; but he
LOOK no 0OttSe Oh COuiu hot hSIP iShaA ~
ing, that America must have looked with anx-
ie,y 20 the termination of his indisposition.
He made no rep.y to my compliment but by an
inclination Of the head. His bow at my taking
leave shall never forget. 1t was the last move
ment which saw that illustrious character
make, as my eyes took their leave OF him for
ever, and il hangs perfect picture upon my
recollection. The house of Washington was in
the Broadway, and the street front was hand
some The drawing room in which sat was
lofty and spacious; but the furniture was not
heyond that found in dwellings OF opulent Anne
ricans in general, and might be called plain for
IRIS situation. The upper end Of the room had
glass doors, which opened upon balcony,
Commanding an extensive view of the Hudson
river, interspersed with islands, and the Jersey
sMast 90 the opposite side. A grandson and
daughter resided constantly in the house wmh
the G,neral, and nephew Oh .ne uenera'
/. marr,e0 10 neice Of Mrs. Washington, resi-
.,ls,sd .t &o.r, Vernon the Generals family