Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-07-07
A Life Portrate of George Wash.
fnston.

j We are Indebted to The excellent h.cra-
AIRY proaicai, To-day, published weekly al.
4 Boston, for a translation from the Courier
i des Etat- unis Of some portions of the
1ionrnal OF IA. De Broglie recently publish
'scd, and continuing an interesting account
q of his visit to this country in 1882, and Of
& the aspect OF things at that time. One Of
s. these fragments shows The degree Of re-
q spect and carjo,ity which the character and
fame Of Washington had inspired even at
J! that early period. The, Pnnce De Broehe.
.s,t win be recollected, came TO The United
States, with letters Of Introduction from
3 Benjamin Franklin, lot the purpose fjoin-
dina the army OF Goaat de Rochambeau. In
4 .he writings Of Washington, published by
4 Mr.. Sparks, will be tonnd letter to Dr..
y Franklin, written about the date of the IN
y teryiew de cribed in this fragment, in which
& Gen. Washington Acknowledges the receipt
8 of two letters one presented by the Count
& de Segur, aad the other by the Prince De
q Brogtle, which, he remarks, "were render
II ed doubly agreeable by the pleasure had
in receiving them from the hands of two
a such amiabIe and accomplished young gen.
q 18th, 1892. De Broghe's description Of
4 "Patar Patrie'w will be universally accepted
q by all Americans as Delightfully."- accurate
: portrait. Il is as follows:
y I'll pressed VI. de Rochambeau, who re-
y ceived me with kindness, to add that of
4 making ne acquainted with Washington
3 He assented and the day after my arrival
2 he went with me to dine with this famous
4 man. gave him letter from my father,
Z aud after slight 'Skqkehana' he was kind
I enough to say a Thousand batteries and po-
8 lite things to the. Here Is his portait,
4 which / have formed from what have
8 been able TO see of him myself, and from
a what the conversation which / have had
4 with regard to him have taught ne.
y The General is about forty-nine years
q Of age he is large, finely made, very well
i proporhoned. His figure is much more
4 pleasing than the pictures represent 1t. He
D was fine looking until three years aso, and,
& although those who have been constantly
y wrh him since that time say that he seems
y to them 10 have grown old fast, it is unde-
Z nieble that the General is still fresh and &C
\ tive as ysang man.
y His PhySiognomy is pleasant and open;
y his address is cold though polite his pen
4 sIge eye Is more attentive than sparkling ;
q but his countenance is kind noble, and
n composed. lie maintains in his private de-
8 pertinent, that polite and attentive decorum
q which satisfies all, and that reserved dig
q NIFTY which does not offend. He is the en-
q my OF cstentatlon and vain glory. His
q manners are always equable; he has never
q shown the lcas! temper. Modest even to
81 hrmlhty, be seems not to estimate himself
q duly; ne receives with good grace the de-
q ference paid to him, but rather shuns than
q courts It. His society is agreeable and
s pleasing. Always serious, never constrain-
81 ed ; always simple, always free and afable,
s without being familiar, the respect which
q he inspires never becomes painful. He
q talks little in general, and in very low
e tone of voice: but he is so attentive to
q what Is said to him that you are satisfied,
s that he understands you, and are almost
a willing TO dispense with reply.
a "rhiS conduct has often been Of advan-
= tage TO him IN various circumstances no
3 one has more occasion than he to use Cir
y cumspection, and to weigh well his words
q He unltes to an unaterabe tranquility of
q soul fine power Of judgment; and one can
~ seldom reproach him for a little slowness in
"a determination, or even in acting, when he
8 has formed his decision. His courage Is
s. calm and brilliant; but to appreciate in a
- sure manner the extent Of his talents, ard
81 to grant to him the name Of great warri-
y or, think it would be necessary to have
81 seen him At the head of greater army,
al with more means, and in face, of less su-
9perior ensmy. One can at least give him
- the title Of an excellent patriot, wise. vir-
Il tuous man; and one is tempted to grant him
Il all qualities, even those which circumstan-
q ces have not permitted him to develop
y Never was there man more fitted to lead
q the Americans, nor one who has evinced in
q his conduct more consistency, wisdom, con,
81 stancy aud reason