Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-05-19
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HIS PERSON AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE. An
ECDorEs OF HIS GREAT PHYSICAL PRowEss.
FROM THE 1CUsrIs' REcoLLEcTIoNs AND
Private MEMOIRS"
In person Washington was unique. Ie
looked like no one else. TO a stature lofty
and commanding, he united form of the man
lest proportions, limbs cast in NATURES finest
mould, and carriage the most dignifie,I, grace
iul and imposing. No one ever approached
the Pa;er Patrim that did not feel his pre-
scncc.
Solong ago as the vice regal court at Will
liamsburg, in the days of Lord Bote,our. 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 acquired by his long service on
the frontier and was matter of much obser-
walton, especially 10 foreigners.
While Col. Washington was on n visit to
n ew DIRK i'll 1873, it was boosted at the table
OF the BRUSH Governor that regiment Just
landed from England contained among its ofIi-
GERS some OF the hnest specimens of martial ell
egance in his Maesty's service-;n fact the
most superb looking fellows ever landed upon
the shores of the new world WAGER votr
ris, an American lady, that ] will show YOU a
finer man in the procession tomorrow than
your Excelency can select from your famous
regiment Done, madam, replied the Governor.
10 morrow came, (the 9TH of Junc,) and the
procession In honor of the birthday of the
hlng advanced through Broadway TO the strains
OF military music. As the troops dcfiled be-
tore the Governor, he pointed out to the ladv
several officers by name, claiming her admira-
ton Tor their superior persons and brilliant
equipments in rear OF the troops came
band OF officers not on duty, of colonial Off
GERS. and strangers Of distinctions Immediately
on their approach, the attention of the Gov
ernor was seen to be directed toward q tall
and martial figure, that marched with grave
and measured tread, apparently Indifferent to
the scene around him. The lady now archlv
observed, | perceive that your Excellencv'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 Col, Washing
ton was in New Y ork.
To a question that we have been asked
thousand and one times, viz; to what indiyid-
ual, known to any who are yet living. did the
person of Washington bear the nearest resem-
bance? we answer, to Ralph lizard, Senator
from South Carolina, in the frs. Congress I'M
der the Coz. tuition. The form of lard was
cast in Natures manifest mould. while his air
and manner were dignifed and imposing. He
acquired great distinction, while pursuing his
studies in England, for his remarkable proves
in the athletic exercises of that distant peri
od
An officer OF the Life Guard has been often
heard to observe, that the Commander-in-chef
was thought to be the strongest man i'm the
army of the Revolution. I'm 1881, a company
oi rIilemen from the county of Augusta, i'm
virginia, reinforced the troops of LAFAYETTE
AS the stalwart band of mouniaineers. defled
before the General, the istonished and admir-
Ing Frcnchmau exclaimed Mon Dieul what
a people are these Americans; they have re-
mforced me with band of giants
Washington's great physical powers we're
IN his limbs they were long, large and sinewy.
Ills frame was of equal breadth from the shout
ders to the hips His chest, though broad and
expansive, was not prominent but rather hol-
lowed in the centre lie had suffered from a
pulmonary affection in early life, from which
he never entirely recovered. Ills frame show
cd an extraordinary Development of bone and
muscle his JOINS were large, as were his leet;
and could cast have been preserved OF his
hand to be exhibited in these degenerate
days, IT would be said to belong to the being
81 fabulous age. During the last visit of La
iayele to Mount Vernon, among many in
testing relations Of events that occurred in
o'nen Gays, ne said TO The writer: st was in
ms Por'ico that you were introduced to me in
l|03 You were thcnlloldiug by single fin
ger oi The good Generals remarkable hand
winch was all that you could 90, my dear sir.
at that time.''
In the various exhibitions of Washinqton's
great physIca! proves, they were apparently
attended by scarcely any effort. When he
overthrow the strong man of Virginia in west
ling, while many of the finest of the Young
aihlet@ of thc times were engaged in the man
IL games, Washington had retired 10 The slndc