Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-09-19


reflection, for he had to me an appear
ance OF affability and accommodation
He was at this time in his sixty third
year, but had very little appearance of
age, having been all his life so exceed
ingly temperate. There was certain
anxiety visible in his countenance, with
marks of extreme sensibility.
Mrs. Washington herself made tea and
coffee for US. On the table were two
small plates of sliced tongue, and dry
toast, bread and butter, but no broiled
fish, as is the general custom. Miss
Eleanor Gusts, her granddaughter,
very pleasant young lady of about six
teen, sat next to her, and next, her
grandson, George Washington Parke
Gusts, about two years older. There
were but slight indications of form, one
servant only attending, who had no liv-
cry, and a silver urn for hot water, was
the only expensive article on the table.
Mrs, Washington struck me as something
older than the President, though l un-
derstand they were both born in the
same year. She was short in stature,
rather robust, extremely simple in her
dress, and wore very plain cap, with
her gray hair turned up under it, This
description of Mrs. " Washington cores
ponds perfectly with that in her portrait
by Trumbull, painted the previous year,
and now in the Trumbull Gallery at New
Haven.
Mr.. Wansey says her drawing-rooms
were objected to by the democrats, "as
tending to give her super-eminency,
and as Introductory to the paiaphernalia
Of courts" With what feelings the ex-
cellent woman regarded these democrats,
is shown up by an anecdote of the same
period She was severe disciplineari-
an and Nelly Gusts was not often per-
Hitted by her to be idle, or to follow her
own caprices. The young girl was COM
PEELED to practice at the harpsichord four
or five hours every day, and one morn
ing when she should have been playing,
her grandmother entered the room, re-
marking that she had not heard her
music, and also that she had observed
some person going out, whose name she
would very much like 10 know. Nelly
was silent, and suddenly her attention
was arrested by blemish on the wall,
which had been newly painted deli
cate cream color. "Ah, it was no fed
eralist J" she exclaimed, looking at
spot just above settee ''none but
filthy democrat would mark place with
his gOod-for nothing head in that man.
ner l''
The public business so entirely occu-
pied his time, that Washington had but
few opportunities of visiting Mount Yer
non. In 1898, however, he was there
nearly three months, during the terrible
period of the prevalence of the yellow
fever in Philadelphia.* The disease
broke out some time in August, bui he
continued at his post until the 10th of
September. He wished to stay longer,
but Mrs. Washington was unwilling to
leave him exposed in such danger, and
he could not think of hazarding her life
and the lives of the children by remain
ing-''the house in which we lived"
he says, t'being in manner blockaded
by the disorder, which was every day
becoming more and more fatal" Two
days after Washington left, Mr.. Walcot
wrote to his father-"The apprehensions
of the citizens can not be increased bu-
siness is in great measure abandoned,
the true character of man is disclosed,
and he shows himself weak, timid, de-
spending and selfish being. The rava-
ges of the dreadful sickness are extending
with added circumstances of terror and
distress many now die without atten-
dance. The kind attention, the tear of
coincidence and sympathy, which allevi-
ate pain and in some degree reconcile
the dying to their fate, are frequently
omitted by the nearest friends and rela.
tives-when generously bestowed, they
are too often the price of life." Among
the public characters attacked by the
fever, were Mr.. Willing and Col. Ham
ilton, but they both recovered. The of
hcers of the government were dispersed,
and tie President even deliberated on
the propriety of convening Congress
elsewhere but the abatement of the di-
sease rendered this measure unnecessary,
and near the close of November the
scattered inhabitants returned to their
homes, and Congress re assembled on the
second of December.
In 1894, his official duties not permit.
ting him to make more than flying vis-
it to Mt. Vernon, and Mrs. Washington
"a striking picture of the pestilence in Philadelphia
l793 is contained in Brockden Browns novel of Ar
thur Mervyn. In the history of that PERIOD the names
of Stephen Grard already prosperous merchant and
Thomas clarkson, are honOraby conspicuous. Frenau
;
1 danger
"on prancing steed, with sponge at nose,
From town behold ssngrado fly
Camphor tar where'er he goes
/ The infected shafts of death defy
| safe, in an atmosphere of scents
He leaves us TO our own defense"