Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-13
From the Southern Literary Messenger.
Character OF wasAinR1on

Oh w
The following obituary Of Washington ap
Peared in London newspaper, in January, 1900
few weeks after his death, should like Il
know who It's author was. For finished elegance
and for business of portraiture it has never beer
surpassed, il ever equalled, by any other sketch
OF our matchless countryman. Could it have
been an Englishman, who SO justly appreciated
or SO happily portrayed his characteri If al
Englisman, who was he | can think of no one
then living in Great Britain, Burke had died
nearly four years beiore,) who had at once
heart, mind, and pen for such work; except
Erskine. Fox had the heart, mind, and tongue
for IT perhaps; but not the pen. IL is found in
Kingston Life Of Washington, modest and
well composed octodecimo of 224 pages, pub
lshed at Baltimore in 1913. Kingston does not
tell the name of the London newspaper.
This mastery portrait should be laid on every
parlor table, and studied by every person in
America. The traits which it describes, and
truly attributes to Washington are traits OF
which the frequent contemplation would do more
than thousand lectures to make nobly useful
men. M
:" The melancholy account of the death of Gen
" uSftHSioH was brought by q vessel rom BALI
more, which has arrived OFT Dover.
General Washington was, we believe, in his
6Sth year. The height of his person about
hive ieet eleven his chest iull; and his limbs,
though rather slender, well shaped and muscular.
His head was rather small; in which respect he
resembied the make OF great number of his
countrynen. His eyes were Of light grey
color; and in proportion to the length OF his face,
his nose was long. MIR. Steward, the eminent
portrait painter, used TO say, there were features
III his face totally different IRON what he had OBJ
served in that Of any other human being, the
sockets OF the eyes, for instance, were larger
than what he ever met with before, and the
upper part Of his nose broader. All his features
he observed, were indicative Of the strongest pas
sions; yet, like Socrates, his Judgment and great
seli-conmand have always made him appear a
man OF different cast in the eyes of the world
lie always spoke with great difildence, and some
times hesllated tor word; bat it was always TO
find one particularly well adapted 10 his mean
ing. His language was manly and expressive.
AT levee, his discourse with strangers turned
principally upon the subject of America; and if
they had been through any remarkable places,
his conversation was tree and particularly inte-
resting; Tor he was intimately acquainted with
every part Of the country. He was much more
open and free in his behavior at levee than in
private; and IN company OF ladies still more
than when solely with men.
Few persons found themselves for the first
time III the presence of General Washington,
without being Impressed with certain degree or
yeneratlon aud awe; nor did those emotions sub
side III a closer acquaintance; on the contrary,
his person and department were such rather
tended 10 augment lhem The hard service he
had seen, the important and laborious offices he
had filled, gave kind of uusterty to counte
nance, and u reserve To his manners; vet he was
the kindest husband, the most humane master,
the steadiest friend.
The whole range of history does not present to
our view a character upon which we can dwell
with such entire aud unmixed admiration. The
long life of General Washington is not stained
by single blot. lie was indeed man Of such
endowments, and such fortunate tempera-
ment, that every action he performed was eq ALLY
exempted from the charge of vice weakness.
Whatever he said or did wrote, was stamped
with striking and peculiar propriety. His
qualities were SO happily blended, and SO nicely
harmofizec, that the result a great and
perfect whole. The powers Of his mind, and the
disposition of his heart, were admirably suited
TO each other. II was the union Of the most per-
feet prudence with the most consummate mode
ration. His views, though large and liberal,
were never extravaganza; his virtues, though
comprehensive aud bcnefcent, were discriminate
ing, judicious, and practicable
Yet his character, though regular and uniform,
possessed none oil the lttleness which may some
times belong TO these descriptions of men. 1t
formed majestic pile, the effect Of which was
not impaired, but improved by order and sym
metry. There was nothing in the dazzle by
wilderness, or surprise by eccentricty. IL was
Of q higher species of moral beauty 1t contained
everything great and elevated, but it had no false
and tnsel ornaments. IL was not the model
cried by the fashion and the circumstance; its
excellence was adapted to the true and Just moral
taste, incapable of change from the varying acci-
dents of manners, opinions, and times. General
Washington was not the idol of day, but tho
hero of ages
Placid IN circumstances of the most trying diff
hculty at the commencement Of the American
contest, he accepted that situation which was
pre-emincnt in danger and responsibility. His
perseverance overcame every obstacle; his mode
ration conciliated every oppositon; his genius
supplied every resources; his enlarged view could
plan, revise, and improve, every branch Of civil
and military operation. lie had the superior
courage which can act or forbear 10 act, az true
policy dictates, careless Of the roproaches Of
gnorance-either in power out of power. He
knew how TO conquer by waiting, in spite Of OBJ
loquy, for the moment Of victory; and he merited
true praise by despising undcserved censure. In
the most arduous moments Of the contest, his
prudent frmness proved the salvation of the ca
which he supported
His conduct was, on all occasions, guided by
the most pure dsinterestedncss Far superior to
low aud grovelling motives, his seemed even to
be unnfuenced by that ambition, which has
Justly been called the instinct Of great souls. He
acted even, as If his country's welfare, and that
alone, was the moving spring. Ills excellent mind
needed not even stimulus Of ambition, or the
prospect Of fame. Glory but a secondary
consideration lie performed. great actions, lie
persevered in a course of laborious utility, with
an equanimily that neither sought distinction,
nor was fattcred by IT,. His reward was in the
consciousness Of his own rectitudc, and in the
success of his patriotic efforts.
As his elevation to the chief power was by the
unbiased choice Of his countrymen, lis exercise
Of il agreeable TO the purity Of its origin.
As lie had neither solicited nor usurped dominion,
he had neither 10 contend with the oppositions u
rivals, nor the revenge Of enemies. As his an.
thorty was undisputed, so il required 10 jealous
precautions, no rigorous severity His govern.
rnent was mild aud gentle; it was benefcent and
liberal; it was wise and just. Ills prudent ad
ministraton consolidated and enlarged the do
minion Of an infant republic. IN voluntarily 70.
signing the magstracy which he had filled with
such distinguished honor, he enjoyed the un-
equalled satisfaction OF leaving 10 the State he
had contributed to establish, the fruits Of his
wisdom and the example of his virtues
II IL some cOnsOla tion, amidst the yiolenrp az