Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-02-14
WASHINGTON.
From Lord Mahon's History of the American
F.la Revolution.

lies oil an independent country gentleman
Field sports divided his time with the culi-
vation and improvement Of his land, and the
sales of his tobacco he showed kindness 10
his dependents, and hospitality 10 his friends
and having been elected one of the House of
Burgesses in Virginia, he was, whenever that
House met, exact in his attendance. To
that well regulated mind nothing within the
course of its ordinary and appointed avoca-
tions seemed unworthy of lis care. His led
gers and day-books were kept by himself
he took note of all the houses where he par
took of hospitality, SO that not even the
smallest courteses might pass by unremem-
bered and until his press of business in the
Revolutionary War he was wont every even
ing TO set down the variations of the wealth
er during the preceding day. 1t was also his
habit through life, whenever he wished 10
possess himself perfectly of the contents Of
any paper, TO transcribe it in his own hand
and apparently with delberation, SO that no
point might escape his notice. Many copies
of this kind were after his death found
among his manuscripts.
We may observe, however, that in the mind
OF Washington punctuality and precision did
not, as we often find them, turn in any de-
gree of selfishness. On the contrary, he was
rather careless Of small points where only his
own comfort was concerned. Thus he could
seldom be persuaded TO take any remedy, or
desist from any business, when he caught
cold, but used TO say, 'let it go as il camel"
Nor yet was his constant regularity of hab-
its attended by undue formality of manner.
! In one of his most private letters there APP
pears, given incidentally, and as it were by
chance, golden rule upon that subject: -
GAS 10 the gentleman you mention | cannot
charge myself with incivility, or what in my
opinion is tantamount, ceremonious civility."
in figure Washington was thin and tall
(abovs six feet hgh,) in counlenance grave
unimpassoned and benign. An Unborn
worth, an unaffected dignity beamed forth
in every look as in every word and deed.
His first appearance and address might
not convey the idea of superior talents
such at least was the remark Of his accom-
plished countryman, Mr. Galla,in but no
man, whether friend or enemy, ever viewed
without respect the noble simplicity of his
demeanor, the utter absence in him Of every
arifce and every affec,alion.
It has been Justly remarked ,ha, Of Gen.
eral Washington there are fewer anecdotes
10 tell than perhaps OF any other great man
OIL record. So equally framed were the
features of his mind, so harmonious all lis
proportions, that no one quality rose salient
above the rest. There were none of those
chequered ques, none Of those warning emo
tions, in which Biography delights. There
was 10 contrast of lights and shades, no
Pickering OF the fame it was mild ligh,
that seldom dayzled, but that ever cheered
and warmed. His contemporaries or his
close observers, as Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.
Gallaiin, assert that he had naturally strong
passions, bu, had attained complete mastery
over them. In self-con,tol, indeed, he ha.
never been surpassed. II sometimes on rare
occasions, and on strong provocation, there
was wrung from him a burs, OF anger, il
was almost instantly queled by the domin
ion of his will He decided surely, though
he deliberaled slowly; nor could any urgen
cy or peril move him from his serene com
posure, his calm and clear headed gooc
sense Integrity and truth were also eve
present in his mind. Not single instance
as | believe, can be found in his whole
career, when he was impelled by any bu
an upright motive, or endeavored TO oblair
an object by any but worthy means. Sucf
are some of The high qualities which have
Justly earned for General Washington The
admiration even of the country he opposed
and not merely the admiration but the graf
titude and affection Of his own. Such wa
the pure and upright spirit to which, wher
its tolls were over and its earthly course hat
been run, was offered the unanimous HON
age of the assembled Congress, all clad il
deep mourning for their common loss, as Il
o.lhe man first in war, first in peace, ant
first in the hearts Of his fellow.citzens. ~
At this day in the United States the reveT
eace for his character is, as it should be
/, deep and universal, and not confined a
!. with nearly all our English statesmen, I
J. one party, one province, or one creed. Sue
!. reverence for Washington is felt even b
n those who wander furlhest from The paths i
y which he trod. A President when recon
= mending measures Of aggression and inva
sion can still refer to him whose rule wa
ever to arm only in self-defence az 10 9Th
n greatest and best of men % States whic
=. exult in their bankruptcy as proof of the
d superior shrewdness, apl have devised ar,
"a pudialionn as newer and more gracef
3. term for it, yet look up to their great gener
n. the very soul OF good faith and honor
"a with their reverence unimpaired !
UpAs TREE ON THE IsrHMrs.--The p
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