Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-03

were engaged IN the manly games, Wash
ington had retired to the shade Of tree,
intent upon the perusal of favori,e vol
ume; and it was only when the champion
of the games strobe through the ring, cali
ing for nobler competitors, and haunting
the student with reproach that it was the
fear Of encountering SO redoubted an anita
gonist that kept him from the ring, that
Washington closed his book, and, without
divesting himsefof his coat, calmly walked
into the ring, observed that fear formed no
part of his being, then graphing with the
champion, the stauggle was fierce but mo-
mentary, for said the vanquished hero of
the arena, in Washington's lion-like grasp
became powerless, and was hurled to the
ground with force that seemed to jar the
very marrow in my bones; while the victor
regardless of the shouts that proclaimed
his triumph, leisurely retired to his shade
and the enjoyment Of his favorite volume.
The power Of Washington's arm was
displayed in several memorable instances.
In his thrownga stone across the Kappa
hanock river below Fredericksburg, ano-
Their from the bed Of the stream on the top
Of the natural bridge, and yet another over
the Palisades into the Hudson. While the
late and venerable C.. II. PEALE was at
Mount Vernon in 1872, engaged In paint
ing the portrait Of the provincial Colonel,
some young men were contending in the
exercise Of pitching the bar. Washing
ton looked on for a time, then, graspng
the missile in his master hand, whirled the
iron through the air, which took the ground
far, very far, beyond any Of its former
limits-the Colonel observing with smile,
"You perceive, young gentlemen, that my
arm retains some portion Of the vigor of
my earliest days" He was then in his
fortieth year, and probably in the full me-
ridian Of his physical powers; but those
powers became rather melowed than de-
cayed by time, for, "his age was like a
usty winter, frosty yet kindly" and up to
his sixty-eight year. he mounted horse
with surprising agility, and rode with the
ease and gracetulness of his better days.
His personal prowess that elected the adj
miraton of a people who have nearly all
passed from the stage Of life, still serves as
a model for the manhood of modern times.
With all its development of muscular
power, the form Of Washington had no
appearance of bulkiness, and so harmonic
Gus were its proportions that he did not
appear so passing tall as his portraits have
represented. He was rather spare than
full during his whole life; this is readily
ascertained from his weight. The last
time he weighed was in the summer Of
1899, when having made the tour of his
farms, accompanied by an English gen.
teman, he called at his mill and weighed.
The writer placed the weight in the scales.
The EngIishman, not so tall, but stout,
square built, and feshy, weighed heavily,
and expressed much surprise that the &C.
neral had not outweighed him, when Wash
ington observed that the best eight Of his
best days never exceeded from 2lO to 220.
In the instance alluded % he weighed q
little rising 2l0.
OF the portraits of Washington, the
most Of them give to his person fullness
that it did not possess, together with an alb
dominal enlargement greater than in the
life, while his matchless limbs have but in
two instances been faithfully portrayed.
In the equestrian portrait by TRUMBULL
of 1900, a copy Of which is in the City
Hall of New York, and in an engraving
by LoIsIER, from painting by CoGNIET,
French artists of distinguished merit. The
latter is not an original painting, the head
being from STAURT, but the deineation of
the limbs is the most perfect extant.
OF the remarkable degree Of awe and
reverence that the presence of Washing
ton always inspired, we shall give one out
of one thousand instances. During the
cantonmont of the American army at the
Valley-Forge, some officers of the 4th
Pennsylvania regiment were engaged in
a game of fves. In the midst Of their
sport they discovered the Commanderin-
Chief leaning upon the enclosure and be-
holding the game with evident satisfaction.
In moment all things were changed
The ball was suffered TO roll idly away,
the gay laugh and Joyous shou: Of excite
mcnt were hushed into q profound silence,
and the officers were gravely grouped to-
gether 1t was in vain that the Chief
begged of the players that they would pro-
coed with their game, declared the pleas
ure he had experienced from witnessing
their skill, spoke OF proficiency in the man
ly exercise that he himself could have
boosted of in other days. All would not
do. Not man could be induced TO move,
till the General, finding his presence him
dered the officers from continuing the
amusement, bowed, and, wishing them good
sport, retired.
Railroads.&c. Egrope. "A railway from Ca
lais to Paris is contemplated by the French
government; when completed the journey
from London 10 Paris may be performed