The Trinity times., 1855-08-04
The Loves of Washington.

In on. of these manuscript memorials OF
his practical studies and exercises, we have
come upon some documents singularly in
CONTRAST with oil that We have just cited and
with his apparently unromantic character.
In word, there are eVidences in his own
hand writing that before he WAS fifteen years
Of age, he had conceived passion for some
Unknown beauty, so serious ms TO disturb his
otherwise well-regulated mind and to make
him really unhappy, Why ihis juvenile at
Ischnent was source Of unhappiness we
have no positive means OF fa,certainng. Per
haps tire object Of it may lave considered
him mere school boy and treated him as
ouch cr his own shyness may have been in
lis WAY and his "rules for behavior and
conversation" may IS yet have sat a~kwardly
on him and rendered him formal and un e
ganly when he sought to please. Even in
later years he was apt TO be silent and en-
harrassed in female society. Z" He was a very
hashfull young man, "said an old lady whom
he used to visit when they were toth in their
homage. e used often to wish that he
would talk more "
Whatever may have been the reason, this
carly attachment seems TO have been source
Of poignant discomfort 10 him. II cIung "a
MIN httcr lie loOk Ii1al IeHNe OF scHOOI III
the autum of l747 and went to reside with
his brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon
Here he continued his mathematical studies
and his practice in surveying. disturbed al
times by occurrences Of his unlucky passions
Though by no means of poetica tempera-
ment, the vast pages of his Journal betray
several attempts to pour forth his amorous
sorrows in verse. They are mere common
place rhymes, such as lovers OF his age are
apt TO write, in which he bewas his " poor
restless heart, wounded by cupid's dart,
and bleeding for one who remains pitlest
of his grefs and woes"
The tenor Of some of his verses induces us
10 believe that he never told his love; but
rs we have already surmised, was prevented
by his bashfulness.
All, wo is me, that should love aad con.
ceal;
Long ha>eI wished and never dare reveal"
II is difficult TO reconcile ones self to the
idea of the cool and sedate Washington, the
great champion of American liberty, woe
worn lover in his youthful days, sighing
like furnace" and indting plaintve verses
about the groves of Mount Vernon. We are
glad ofan opportunity, however, Of pene,ra
s"s '" hIs hatve feelings and hndlng tha
under his studied dceorum and reserve he
had heart Of flesh, rhrobbing with the warm
impulses OF human nature.
The merits OF Washington were know
and appreciated by the Fairfax family
Though not quite sixteen years Of age he n,
longer seemed a boy, nor was he treated a,
such. Tai, athletic, and manly for his wears
his early selt training and the code Of con
duet he had devised, gave gravity and de
csion to his conduct; his frankness anc
modesty inspired cordial regard, and tn,
melancholy of which he speaks may hav'
produced a softness in his manner calculated
10 win favor in ladies' eyes. According Il
ais own account, the female society bv whicl
he was surrounded had a soothing effect OF
ihs, melancholy. The charms Of Miss Cary
she sister Of the bride seem even to hav
caussd 81 gtt Auttering 10 his bosom which
hnweyer. Was constantly rtbnked by the re
Fneinbrance Of his former passon-so at lras
ve Judge from letters 10 his youthful conf
dents, rough drafts Of which are still 20 b
- tSe2 j - C" :s'e -:-al