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

Udte Memoirs.
In person WAsHINGToN was unique
He looked like no one else. To stature
lofty and commanding, he united form Of
the manifest proportions, limbs cast in ma
lures finest mould, and in carriage the
most dignifed, graceful and imposing
No one ever approached the Pater Patrin
that did not feel his presence.
So long ago as the vice regal court at
Williamsburg, IN the days Of Lord BoTE-
ToURT, Col. WASHINGTON was remarkable
for his splendid person, the air with which
he wore a small sword, and his peculiar
walk, that had the light elastic tread ac-
quired by his long service on the frontier,
and was a matter Of much observation, es-
pecially to foreigners.
While Col. Washington was on a visit
to New York in 1913, it was boasted at
the table Of the British Governor that a
regiment Just landed from England con-
tanned among its officers some of the finest
specimens Of martial elegance in his Ma
jesty's service-in fact the most superb
looking fellows ever landed upon the shores
of the new world | wager your Excel
hncy a pair of gloves, said a Mrs. Nor
rs, an American lady, that | will show
you finer man in the procession to-mor-
row than your Excellency can select from
your famous regiment. Done, madam,
replied the Governor The morrow came
(the 4th Of June, and the procession in
honor of the birthday of the King ad-
vunced through Broadway TO the strains of
military music. AS the troops dehled be-
fore the Governor, he pointed out to the
lady several officers by name, claiming her
admiration for their superior persons and
brilliant equipments. In rear of the troops
came a band of officers not on duty, of CO.
-lonial officers. and strangers of distinction.
Immediately on their approach, the atten-
ton of the Governor was seen TO be direct
cd toward tall and martial figure, appa-
rently indiffe rent to the scenes around him.
The lady now archIy observed, perceive
that your Excellcncy's eyes are turned to
the right object; what say you to your wa.
ger now, sir? Lost, madam, replied the
gallant Governor: when | laid my wager,
| was not aware that Col. Washington was
in New York.
To a question that we have been asked
a thousand and ore times, viz: 10 what in
dividual, known to any who are yet living,
did the person of Washington bear the
nearest resemblance? We answer, to
Ralph lizard, Senator from South Carroll
ma, in the first Congress under the Constl-
tuition. The form of lizard was cast in ma
ture's manifest mould, while his air and
manner were both digui6ed and imposing.
He acquired great distinction, while pur-
suing his studies in England, for his re-
markabe prowess in the athletic exercises
of that distant period.
An officer Of the Life Guard has been
often heard to observe, that the Comman-
der-in Chief was thought TO Ee the strong
est man in his army, and yet what thews
and sinews were to be found in the army
of the Revolution. In 1871, company
of rihemen from the county Of Augusta, in
Virginia, reinforced the troops Of Lafay-
cite. AS the stawart band of mountain
GERS, defled before the General, the aston
ished and admiring Frenchman exclaimed:
Mon Dieu! what people are these Amer
leans; they have reinforced me with band
Of giants
Washingon's great physical powers
were in his limbs: they were long, large,
and sinewy. His frame was OF equal
breadth from the shoulders to his hips
His chest, though broad and expansive,
was not prominent, but rather followed IN
the centre He had suffered from pull
monary affection in early life, from which
he never entirely recovered. His frame
showed an extraordinary development OF
bone and muscle; his joints were large as
were his feet; and could a cast have been
preserved of his hand, to be exhibited in
these degenerate days, it would be said TO
have belonged TO the being of fabulous
age. During the last visit of Lafayette to
Mount Vernon, among many and interes.
ting relations of events that occurred in
olden days, he said TO the writer: at was
in this portico that you were introduced to
me in 1884; you were then holding by
single finger of the good Generals remark
able hand, which was all that you could do
my dear sir at that time"
In the various exhibitions of Washing
tons great physical prowess they were ap-
parently attended by scarcely any effort
When he overthrow the strongest man OF
Virginia in wrestling. while many of the
fuest of the young athletic of the times