Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-02-23
DAILY VIRGINIAN.
The Portraits Of Washington.

The writer of this once saw, about twenty five
years ago quite u young looking man horse
back, in Fourth of July procession in Pha-
delphia. He was dressed in the military uniform
OF General Washington blue and buff and, with
the old 80 cooked hat; he was selected to per-
senate the General Tho resemblance was so
striking to those, who at the day were numerous,
who had known Washington intimat, ", that il
occasion quite outburst of mingled ioy and
emotion. lie had been selected ON account of hi
personal resemblance the dress, no doubt, aided
the effect.
amented Judge Hopkinson, author of "Hail Co
lumbia,' who was quito enthusiastic when this
extraordinary figure approached. "ileavens!"
he exclaimed, show like! There is Washington
as | last saw himi" and he raised his hat and
ohcered with the crowd. his eyes filled with tears.
Why said |. .'Judge,.that young looking man
can't look like Washington, except in dress:
Washington old looking man" "Old-look
ing man. exclaimed the Judge. 'he may look
on sign boards. lie was as fresh and young
looking at sixty-fyo as most mer now look at
thirty five or forty
by the way, the lIopkinson fnmly has Mt this
day an original portrait cabinet size) for which
General Washington sat expressly for Francis
lIopkinson, father of the late Judge above men
toned This picture painted before the
General adopted falso front teeth, and looks as
unlike the portraits copied from Stewart especial
ly about tho mouth, as can be we'll conceived;
and it was pronounced Mt the time perfect like
ness.
Among the most eminent and successful por-
frat painters in Philadelphia at TINT day-that is,
during the residence of General Washington
was Wurtmuer, Dane or Swede his style
accurate aud pains takng.
Three portraits Of Washington by this pain
ter nnd bearing his well remembered signature,
are now known To eXlst-one il in Paris and two
ARE in this city. One of the latter has but late
" arrived here. 1t was obtained few months
since in Switzerland, where, for the last sixty
years it has been hanging in the gallery of the
fnmily of Cazanovo. This portrait was given by
Gen. Washington TO the elder Cazanove, who
visited this country Mt tho close of the revolution
This distinguished and amiablo Swiss gentleman
was largely Interested in land operations in the
State of New York; he had the honor of nameing
the Lake of Geneva after his own native lake,
and now the town Cazanovia was named after
him.
This portrait, by its date painted when
the General was IN his sixty second year, nnd il
perhaps, among the best hkenesses now, rNtnnt
1t seems to have been executed with great care
and lis cooring gives evidence of n master skill
aud knowledge of that art which has the pecu
liar privilege of ''robbing the grave of that por-
ton of its terrors which it derives from oblivion
Evidences of the authenticity of this valuable
picture are fully secured by its present owner.
II has been in possession of the family of Cnzanove
from its original owner down to his grand daugh-
ter, the present Baroness Saladn.) The present
owner here obtained it, in September last, at
Geneva Switzerland. 1t is among the few por
traits of Washington which marks i'll an eminent
degree. the leading features of his true character
dignity milIness, intellectually, and the hear
ing of n perfect gentleman.