The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-09
PUNcTUALITY.

PUNcTUALlTY.
Washington was the most PuncIual oil
men. To this admirable quality, and the
one equally admirable Of rising at 4 o'clock
ind leliring 10 rest at nine at all seasons,
This great man owed his being able to nc
compIish such mighty labOrs during a long
and illustrious life. He was punctual IN
everything. and made every one Punctual
about him.
During his memorable journey through
the Union, he had, before setting OIL,
arranged all the stages for the xhole route:
the ferries, the inns, the hour Of arriving at
and departing from each, were all duly cal
culated, and punctuslly did the white char
lot arrive at all its appointments, except
when prevented by high waters or exces-
sively bad roads.
His punctuality on that long journey as
tonished every one. The trumpet call Of
the cavalry had scarcely ceased its echoes
when a vidette would be seen coming 10
at full speed, and the cry reso1nd far and
wide, Hes comingl" Scarcely would
the artillery-men unlimber the cannon,
when the order would be given, "Lisht
your matches, the white chariot is in full
view"
Revolutionary veterans hurried from all
directions once more TO greet their beloved
Chief. They called il marching to head
quarters, as the dear glorious old fellows
would overtake their neighbors and friends
they would say, Push on, my boys, if you
wish to see him; for we who ought to know
can assure you that he is never behind tine,
but always punctual to the moment.
Ii was thus that Washington performed
his memorable tour of the United States
everywhere received with the heartfelt hon.
age that the love, yeneration, and gratitude
Of whole people could bes.ow; and there
is no doubt yet living a grey head who can
tell Of the time when he gallantly rode TO
some villsge or inn on the long remember.
ed route to hail the arrival Of the white
hariot, and join the joyous welcome TO the
Father of his country.
And equally Punctual in his engage
ments was this remarkable man nearer
home. 10 the review, the theater, or the
ballroom, he repaired precisely at the aP-
pointed time. The manager Of the theater,
waiting on the President 10 request him 10
command q play, was asked, "At what
lime, Mr.. Wignell, does your curtain rise?"
The manager replied, "Seven o'clock is
the hour, but Of course the curtain will not
rise until your Excellency's arrival" The
President observed, 81 will be punctual,
sir, nobody waits single moment for me,
And, sure enough, precisely at seven, the
noble form Of Washington was seen to en-.
ter the stage box amid the acclsmations Of
the audience and the music Of the Presi
dents march.
In the domestic arrangements Of the Pre-.
sdential mansion, the private dinner was
served at three o'clock, the public one al
four. The drawing room commenced al
seven, and ended at little past ten. The
levee began at three, and ended at four
On the public occasions the company came
within very short time Of each other, anC
departed in the same manner. The Presi
dent is punc,ual, said every body, and every
body became punctual.
On the great national days Of the 4th o.
July and 22d of February, the salute from
the then head Of Market street 18th street,
announced the opening Of the levee. Their
was seen the venerable corps of the GIN
cinnati marching to pay their respects to
their President General, who received them
at headquarters, and in the uniform Of the
commander-in-chief. This veteran band o.
the Revolution had learned punctuGlity
from their General in the "times that trieC
mems souls" for no sooner had the thun,
der peals Of Col. Proctor's brass twelve
Founders caused the windows 10 rattle il
Market street, than this venerable body o.
the Cincinnati were in full march for the
headquarters.
A fine volunteer corps, called the Lighr
Infantry, from the famed Light Infantry Of
the Revolutionary army, commanded by
Lafayette, mounted a guard of honor al
headquarters during the levee on the ma
tional days. When it was about to close,
the soldiers. headed byj their seargents,
marched with trailed arms and noiseless
step through the hall to spot where huge
bowls of punch had been prepared for lheil
refreshment, when, after quafing deep
carouse, with three hearty cheers to the
health Of the President, they countermarch.
ed to the street. the bands struck up the
favorite air, forward was the word and
the levee was ended.-Nat. Int.