Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-09-10

ley Forge. The prlvauons TO Whlch she
had TO submit may be judged from letter
she wrote to Mrs. Warren, in which she
says:-
1.-The generals apartment is small! he
has had log cabin built to dine in, which
has made our quarters much more tolera-
bic than they were at first"
Think of woman of Lady Washing
tons fortune and position, dining nova
days, for whole winter in log cabin
During this awful season, this august fe-
male sought out the most distressed ofthe
soldiers, and alleviated their sufferings, as
far as possible, out of her private purse.
Such was lady of the olden 'ime! In
stead of lounging idly at home in luxury,
she shared fully her husbands trials; in
.tead of exhausting her wealth on selfish
indulgence, she divided it with the hun
CRY and sick.
When at Mount Vernon, both before
and after the war, Lady Washington, like
wise housewife, busted herself in super
intending her domestic affairs. AS that
was day when cotton factories were as
vet unknown, every household had TO do
most of its own spinning; and Lady
Washington kept sixteen spinning wheels
constantly going. She was accustomed
frequently to wear fabrics thus made.
One of her favorite dresses Of this home
manufacture was of cotton striped with
silk, weighing not quite a pound and
half. Her coachman, footman and walt
ing maid were all dressed in domestic
cloth. She was economical, without be-
ing niggardly, and this from principle.
She knew that, in consequence of her
station, she was looked upon to be imlta-
ted; and she wished TO show an example
ofmoderation. Even when Washington
was President, she continued this praise
worthy conduct. .
Her ease and grace of manner, joined
to her affabIity, rendered her, when wife
Of the Chief Magistrate, beloved by all.
Mrs. EIlet says Of this period of her life:
/" The establishment ofthe President and
Mrs. Washington was formed at the seat
of government. The levees had more Of
courty ceremonial than has been known
since; but it was necessary to maintain
the dignity of office by forms that should
inspire respect. Special regard was paid
TO the wives Of men VINO had deserved
much of their country. Mrs. Robert
Morris was accustomed 10 sit at the right
of the ladv of the President, at the draw
ing-rooms and the widows of Greene
and Montgomery were always handed to
and from their carriages by the President
himself; the secretaries and gentlemen
of his household performing those services
for the other ladies'. In this elevated sta
ton, Mrs. Washington, unspoiled by dis
lincuon, still learned on the kindness of
her friends, and cultivated cheerfulness as
a duty. She was beloved as few arc in a
superior condition. Mrs. Warren says,
in reply to one of her letters, 'yOur OBJ
Servalion may be true, that many younger
and gaver ladies consider your station as
enviable; vet know not one who by
general consent would be more likely
to obtain the suiIrages Of the sex, even
were they 1o canvass at election for the
elevated station, than the lady who now
holds the first frank in the United Stales.' ,"
She did not long survive her august
husband Less than two years after his
death, she was attacked by fatal illness,
and feeling her end approaching she called
her grand children around her, discourscd
to them of religion, and amid the tears of
her family, quietly resigned her life into
he hands of her Creator. Her death took
place on the 22d day of May, 1902; and
she was buried beside her husband.
Lady Washington is a model for the
imitation of her sex. Her abilities were
superior, her heart kind, and her conduct
under the control of Christian principle.
The gentle dignity of her manner inspired
respect without creating enmty. In her
youth, and even in mature womanhoOd
she was distinguished for personal love
illness. ~-Ladies' Nafionm