Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-03-12

the "Custis Rccolectons and Private Me
moirs."
la person Washington was unique. lie
looked like no one else. To a stature lofty
and commanding, he united form of the man.
hest proportions limbs cast in Natures finest
mould, and a carriage the most digniied, grace
ful, and imposing. No one ever approached
the Patcr Patritp that did not feel his presence
SO long ago us the vice regal court at Will
liamsburg, in the days of Lord Botetourt, Col.
Washington was remarkable for his splendid
person, the air with which he wore small
sword and his peculiar walk, that had the
light elastic tread acquired by his long service
on the frontier, and was a matter of much OBJ
scrvation, especially to foreigners.
While Colonel Washington was on visit
to New York in 1773, it was boasted at the Ia
BILE Of the British Governor that regiment Just
landed from England contained among its Off
GERS some of the finest specimens of martial
elegance in his Maiesty's scrrice--in fact the
most superb looking fellows ever landed upon
the shores of the new world. | wager your
EXceiiency pair OF gloves said Mrs Morris
an American lady, that will show you finer
man Ia the procession tomorrow than your Ex-
cellency can select from your famous regiment.
Done madam replied the Governor The NOR
row came, (thc 4th of Junc) and the procession
in honor of the birthday ofthc King advanced
through Broadway to the strains of military
music. As the troops defled before the Gov
ernor, he pointed out to the lady several officers
by name, claiming her admiration for their su-
pcrior persons and brilliant equipments. In
rear ofthe troops came 4 band of officers not on
duty, of colonial officers, and strangers of dis
tincton. Immediately on their approach, the
attention OF the Governor was seen to be di-
rectcd toward a tall and martial figure, that
marched with grave and measured tread, ap-
parenty indifferent 10 the scene around him.
The lady now archy observed, perceive that
your Eycellency's eyes are turned to the right
object; what say you to your wager now. sir
Lost, madam, replied the gallant Governor.
When | laid my wager, was not aware that
. Colonel Washington was in New York.
To a question that we have been asked
thousand and one times, viz to what individual,
known to any who are yet living did the person
of Washington bear the nearest resemblance
we answer, to Ralph Izard Senator from South
Carolina, in the first Congress under the Con-
stltution. The form of lizard was cast in Ma
ture's manifest mould. while his air and man.
ner were both dignfed and imposing. lie Sc-
quired great distinction, while pursuing his
studies in England, for his remarkable proves
in the athletic exercises of that distant period.
/ IN officer of the Life Guard has been often
heard 10 observe, that the COMMANDMENTS Chici
was thought TO be the strongest man in his
army, and yet what thews and sineWs were Ia
be found IN the army ofthe Revolution. l1Sl
a company Of riflcmcn from the county of Au-
gusta, in Virginia, reinforced the troops oi
Lafayette. As the stalwart band of mountain
eers, defed before the General, the astonished
and admirIng Frenchman exclaimed Mon
Dicu! what a people are these American they
have reinforced We with band OF giants!
Washingtons great physical powers we've
in his limbs they were long, large, and sim
cwy. His frame was of equal breadth from,
the shoulders to the hips. His chest, though
broad and expansive, was not prominent, but
rather followed in the centre. He had sui:
tcrcd from a pulmonary affection in early life
from which he never entirely recovered. His
frame showed an extraordinary development
of bone and muscle his joints were large, ss
were his feet and could cast have been pre-
served of his hand, TO be exhibited in these de-
generate days, it would be said 10 have be
longed to the being of u iabelous aye. During
the last visit Of Lafayette 10 Mount Vernon
among many and interesting relations of eyent
that occurred in olden days, he said to the
writer: 1T was in this portico that you wer,
introduced TO me in ASA; YOU were ther
holding by single finger ofthe good General
remarkable hand, which was oil that you coul
do, my dear sir, at that time
In the various exhibitions of Washington
: great physical prowess, they were apparent
h. attended by scarcely any effort. When he {
. verthrew the strong man of Virginia in wres
: ling, while many of the finest young athlete
: the times were engaged in the manly game
!. Washington had retired TO the shade Of Il tire,
e intent upon the perusal of a tayorlte yolume
and il was only when the champion OF IL
games strobe through the ring, calling for n
n bier competitors, aud taunting the student VII
d; the reproach that It was the fear Of encounte
c ing 50 redoubied an antagonist that kept hi
fnoIn ahe fiag that Washington closed hls boo