Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-09-20

Smile ever on, and shield her with thy power
@
ORIGINAL. "REMINISCENCES OF
WASHINGTON:
Ind 81 p's Congress tohieh sal ia PhiadsIph while
he teas Prrsidem.
After great deal OF :alking. and wri.
ting. and controversy, about the perma-
nent seat Of Congress under the present
constitution, 1: was determined that Phil
adelphia should be honored with its pre-
sence Tor ten years, and that afterwards
us permanent location should be in the
ei'y OF Washington, where 1T nov is. In
The mean time the federal CITY was in
building. and the legislature OF Pennsyl-
wanna voted a sum Of money to build a
house for the President. perhaps with
some hopes that this might help 10 keep
Tue seat OF the general government in the
cariiai-ior Philadelphia vas then con-
sidered the capital OF the Sta,e.-What
was lately the University Of Pennsylva,
ma, was the structure erected for ,hi.
purpose. But as soon as General Wash
ineton saw ITS dimensions, and good
while before il was finished, he let II be
known tina; he would not occupy it.
that he should certainly not 60 10 the er-
pcnse Of purchasing furniture for such
dwelling. For it il to be understood, tina,
IN those days OF stern republcsnism, no
body thought Of Congress furnishing The
Presidents house; or If perchance such a
thought did enter into some aristocra,ic
head 1t was too unpopular 10 be uttered.
President Washington, therefore, rent
ed house Of Mr.. Robert Morris in Mar
kei street, between Fifth and Sixth streets,
on the south side, and furnished il hand.
sorely, but not gorgeously. There he
lived with Mrs. Washington, MIR. Lear.
his private secretary and his wife, and
Mrs. Was"'ngton's grandson. Gusts,
making part of the family. Young Gus
It's had private tutor employed by the
President. Who was engaged TO attend
on his pupil ose hour ia the winter NOM
ings. before breakfast; and " no :hen com.
monty breaklasied With tile President and
his family. The President ate Indian
cakes fer breakfast, after the Virginia fash
ion. although buckwheat cakes were gen.
orally on the table.
Washington's dining parties were en-
;crtained IN very handsome style His
weekly dining day for company was
Tuesday, and his dining hour was always
Tour o'clock IN the afternoon. His rule
was 10 allow five minutes for the vsra-
ton OF clocks and watches, and then 10 go
to the table, be present. or absent, whoev-
er might. lie kept he own door, and al.
ways exactly regulated. When tagging
members OF Congress came in, as they
often dad after the guests had sat down TO
dinner. the Presidents only apology Was.
Gentlemen. or Sir, we are too punctual
for you. have a cook who never asks
whether the company has come, but
whether the hour has come"
The company usually assembled ia the
drawing room, about fifteen or twenty
minutes before dinner, and the President
spoke to every guest personally on enter
ing the room. lie was always dressed
IN suit OF black. bis hair pow dsred aud
tied IN black bag behind. with a very
elegant dress sword, which he wore with
'nrmIlsble grace.
Mrs. Washington often, but not always,
dined With the company, sat at the head
OF the table, and IL, ~ was occasionally
the case, there were other ladies' present,
they sat on each side of her. The private
secretary sat a, the foot Of the table. and
was expected TO be specially attentive to
oil the guests. The President himself sat
half way from the head 20 the foot OF the
table, and on that side Which would place
Mrs. Warrington, though distant from
him, on his night hand. lie always, IN
less a clergyman was present. asked a
blessing at his own iabie. m standing
posture. " a clergyman was present. he
was requested both 90 ask a blessing
before and 30 return thanks after dinner.
The centre Of the :able contained FIVE
OF SIX large silver or plated walters
those at the ends circulsr'of rather oval az
the one side go az 20 make the arrange.
ment correspond With the oval shane Of
lie table. The waters betseen the end
pieces were IN the form Of parallslogram,
the ends about one third part the length
81 the sides and the whole Of these Val
tiers were hiled with alabsster 6gufes. q
bout two feet hugh taken from the ancient
MYTHOLOGY bot none u them such a. 10 Of
iend, ~ the smallest degree against del,ca.
oy On the outside 81 the oval formed
by the vsber. were placed The various
dishes slWsys without covers. ADD ou,.
side the dishes we're the plates A small
ip'i w "''a"s 0H''tstu 10 uabhtnf was
placed on the eide Of sach plate
The PTesideL,, :, is believed. Generosity
dined o. one dish. and that Of very slis.
pie Kind u offered someibing. either 90
the hrst OF second course. which wss very
uch. bls usual reply was, "iha, - too
good ior me. Tie bad = silver pint cup
or mug Of beer placed BY his plate. which
be drank out Of while dining lie took
one glass Of vine during dinner. and com
monty one after lie then retired the
ladies' having gone little before him
and LETT has secretary TO supeuntend The
table till the vine bibbers Of Congre,s bad
satisfied themselves With drinking Ills
wines were always the best iha, could Be
obtained.
Nothing could exceed the order with