Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-05-19

oil tree, intent upon the perusal Of a lavori,e
volume and it was only when the champion
OF the games strobe through the ring, calling
Tor nobler competitors, anJ haunting the stu
dent with the reproach tia, it was the fear of
encountering so redoubted an anttgonis. That
kept him from the ring, ,het Washington clos
Ell his book, aud without divesting himself of
his coat, calmly walked into the arena, obscrv-
ing that fear formed no part of his being !;
then graphing with the champion, tic st.ug-
gle was fierce but momeniary, for, said the
vanquished hero of the arena, in Washington's
lion-iilSo grasp became powerless, and was
hurled To the ground with force tina. seemed
10 jar the very marrow i'll my bones while
the victor. regardless of the shouts that pro-
claimed his triumph returned to his shade, and
tho enjoyment of his layori,o volume.
The power os Washington's arr, was dis
played III several memorable instances In
ms throwing stone across the Rappahannock
river below Fredericksburg, another from the
bed OF the stream to the top of the Natural
Bridge. and yet another over the Palisades m
the hudson. While the late and venerable c.
IL. Peale was at Mt Vernon in l772. engaged i'm
painting the portrait orthe provincial Col, some
young men were contending in the exercise of
pitching the bar Washington looked on for
a time, then, grasping the missile in his mas
ter hand, whirled the iron through the air
which took the ground far, very far, beyond
any of It's former limi,s--the Colonel obscrv-
ing, with smile, "l on perceive, young gen.
tlemen, that my arm ye. retains some portion
of the vigor of my early days" He was then
in his forle,h year, and probably in the full
meridian OF his physical powers but those
powers became rather melloweG than decavcd
ny timc Tor |'llis age was like lustv winter,
frosty yet kindly" and, up to his sixiy-ciehth
year, he mounted IL horse with surprising a.
gility, and rode with the ease and graceful
ness OF his better days. His personal prowcss
that elected the admiration of people who
have nearly all passed from the stage OF life.
still serves as model for the manhood of
modern times.
With all its development OF muscular pow
or, the form of Washington had 10 appearance
OF bulkiness, and so harmonious were its bro-
portions that hedid not appear SO passing tall
us his portraits have represented He was
rather spare than full during his whole life
this is readily asccrtaincd from his weight.
The last time he weighed was in the summer
OF l799, when having made the tour of his
farms, accompanied by an English gentleman.
he called at his mill and weighed. The wri-
ter placed the weight in the scales The Emo
lishman, not SO tall, but stout, square built.
and Heshy, weighed heavily, and expressed
much surprise that the General had not ont
weighed him, when Washington observed that
the best weight of his best days never exceed
ed from 2l0 to 220. In the instance alluded
to he weighed little rising 2lO.
OF the portraits of Washington, the most of
them give TO his person IA fuiIness that i, did
not possess, together with an abdominal en-
argemcnt greater than in the life, while his
machless limbs have in but two instances been
faithfully portrayed. In the equestrian nor
trait by Trumbull OF 1890, a copy of which
is in the City Hall of New York, and in an
engraving by Loiser, from painting by Cog
met, French artists of distinguished merit.
Inc latter is not an original painting, the head
being from Stuart, but The delineation of the
limbs is the most perfect extant
Oi the remarkable degree of awe and reycr-
ence that the presence oil Washington always
inspired, we shall give one out of ore thou
sand instances. During the cantonment of
the American army at the Vallcy-Forge, some
officers ofthe 4th Pennsy lvania regiment were
engaged III game of liyes In the midst of
their sport they discovered the Commander
m-chief leaning upon the enclosure and be-
holding the game with evident satisfaction. In
moment all things were changed. The bali
was suffered TO roll idly away, the gay laugh
and Joyous shout of excitement were hushed
INTO profound silence, and the officers were
sravely grouped together. 1t was in vain the
CHEZ begged of the players that they would
proceed with their game, declared the pleasure
he had experienced from Witnessing theirskill.
spoke OF proficiency in the manly exercise
that he hmselfcoul have boosted of in other
days. All would not do. Not man could
be induced TO move, till the General, finding
that his presence hindered the officers from
continuing the amusement, bowed, and, wish
ing them good sport, retired.