Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1855-09-28
From the southern Literary Messenger.
Ch,-,,,4.r oF washington.


an Engiis Imam, who so Justly appreciated, or so
happily portrayed his characters II an Eugltsl-
man, who was he? can think OF no one then
living in Great Britain, Burke had died nearly
four years before,l who had at once heort, al
mind, and pen Tor such WORK; except ErsSinc.-I
Fox had the heart, mind, aud tongue for il perhaps;
but not the pen. Its found in KipgstOn's Life
of Washington, modest and well composed
octodecimo of 224 pages, published at Baltimore
in 1913. Kingston does not tell the name OF the
London paper.
This mastery portrait should be laid on every
par!oE table, and s,udiedby every person in Amen
ca. The traits which ii describes, and truly at
tributes to Washington, are traits oil which the
frequent contemplation would do more than
thousand lectures to make nobiy useful men.
"The melancholy account of the death of Gen.
Washington was brought by vessel tom Balll-
more, which has Arrived of Dover.
"GeneraI Washington was, We believe, in his
6Sth year. The height of his person was about
five feet eleven; his chest full; aud his limbs,
though rather slender, were well shaped and
muscular. His head was rather Small-ln which
respect lie rrSemhled the make of great number
Of his counlrymen. His eyes were OF llght
grey color; and in proportion to the length OF his
face, his nose was long. Mr.. Steward The emf
nent poitTut painter, used 10 say that there were
features in his face totally different lrOn what he
had observed i'll that OF any other human being.
the sockets oil 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 Oh
served, indicative OF the strongest passions;
yet, like Socrates, his judgement aud great self
command have always made him appear man OF
a different Cast in the eyes OF the world. de al
ways spoke with great difidence and sometimes
heStated tor word; but it 10 find one we'll
adapted 10 his meaning. His language was manly
and expressive. At evee, his discourse with
strangers turned principally on the subject vi
America; and il they had been through ANY Te-
markable places, his conversation was Tree and
particularly Interesting; for he was intimately ac
quaInted with every part oil the country. He was
much more open and lree III his behaviour ut levee
than in private; aud when in company Of ladies'
still more so than when Soley with men.
Few persons ever found themselves Tor the FIRST
time in the presence OF GzneTHl Washington,
without being impressed with certain uegEee oil
veneraLion aud awe; nor did those emotions sub
side III closer acquaintance; on the contrary
his person and department were such rather
tended to augment them. The hard service he had
seen, the important and laOOrlouS Offices he haii
filled, gave kind Of auSterty 10 his cuuntenamce,
and reserve TO his manners; yet he was The
kinIleSt husband, the most humane master, Tile
ste0dieSt friend.
The Whole range Of history does not present 10
our view character upon winch we can dwell
with such entire aud unnixed admiration. The
long life of General Washington Is not stained by
u single blot. DE was indeed man Of such
rare endowmentS, and such fortunate temPer1-
nlent, that every action he performed was equally
exempted from the charge Of vice or weakneSS.-
Whatever he said or did OF wrote, was stamped
with peculiIr and striking Prop.lety. His quail
tiles were so happily blended, aud so nicely har-
InonIZrd, that the result was gTEat and perfect
whole. Tile powers of his mind, and the dlSpO-
StlUn Of the heart, were admirably suited 10 each
other. twas the union OF the NEST perfect Pru-
tlence with the most co'summate moderation. His
views, though large anu ii5eIal, were never ex-
travagnnt; his virtues, i Oush comprehensive aud
benefcenl, were discriminating, iudIcIUuS, aud
practicable.
Vel his character, though regular and uniform
possessed none os the bitterness which may SOne-
tunes belong 10 these descriptions of men,
Il formed majestic pile, the elect OF which was
not Impaired, Tut improved by order aud SYN.
metTy. There nothing IN the dazzle by wilder
ness. or surprise by eccentucly Ii was uI higher
species Of moral beauty. 1t contained everything
great aud elevated, but it had no false and tinSel
ornaments. 1t was not the model cred by fashion
and the Circumstance; its excellence was adapted
to the true aud Just moral taste, incapable of
change from the varying accidents Of manners,
opinions, and time. General Washington was
not the idol Of day, but the hero Of ages!
| Placed in circumstances Ut The me st trying diff
| fculty at the commencement Of the American con-
| test, he accepted that situation which was pre-
eminent in danger and responsibility. His per
SeveIaHceS OveTcame every obstacle; his mode
ration cnnciIIated every opposition; his geulusSup
piled every Resource; Ills enlurgel view could plan
revise, aud improve, every branch NJ civil and
military operation. He had the superior courage
which eau act or fnTbear tn act. true policy die
tAt,s, c"releSS of the reprOachrs OF ignorance
either in power OF out Of power. He knew how
to conquer by waiting, in spite Of ObloQuy, Gur
moment ut vct"ry; and lie meTlle'i true praise by
deSpiSlng undeSeEvet! cenSure. In the most ardu-
UmS moments of the contest, his prudent firnneSS
proved tie salvation oil the cause which he support
ed.
His conduct was, on all occasions, guided by
The most pure diSintereStelneSS. Far superior 10
low and er0vellng motives, his seemed ever TO
| be unnhuencel by that ambition, which has Just
| ly been called the instinct Ot great souls. He
:cted even, as If his Country'S wcIfaIe, and that
alone, was the moving spring. His excellent mind
needed not even stimulus of ambition, or the
prospect of fame. Glory was but secondary con-
slderation. He performed great actions. he pre-
severed i'll course Uf laborious utility, with an
equanimity that neither SOugh distinction nor was
flatGered by it. His reward was in the conscious
ness of his Own.recIitude, aud III the SUCCESS Of
his patriotic Efforts.
As his elevation 10 the chief power was by the
unbiased choice Of his cUuntrymen, his exercise
Of it was agreeable 10 the purity of its origin
As he had neither solicited nor uSmrper DOMINION,
he had neither 10 contend with the oppositlous of
rivals nor the revenge Of enemies. As his author
lty was undiSpted, SO it required no jealous pie
cautions, no rigorous severity. HIS government
was mild and gentle; it was Genfcent and liberal;
it was wise and just. HIS prudent administration
consolidated and enlarged the dominion OF an in
FAINT republic. In voluntarily resignny the magis-
:racy which he had filled with such distinguished
honor, he enjoyed the uneYuaI!ed satisfaction Of
leaving 10 the State he had contributed 10 eslab-
llsh, the fruits Of his wisdom and the example OF his
virtues.
II is some consolation, amidst the violence of
ambition and the criminal thirst Of power, of
which SO many instances occur around us, to find
a character whom it is honorable TO admire, aud
vIrtuOuS 10 initiate. A conqueTor, fur the free
dom of his country: A Legislator. torits security!
a magistrate, lor its happiness. His gIoriss were
never sulIied by those excuses into which The
highest qualities are apt tOhegeneTate. With the
creates; virtues, he was exempt from the cores
| nondIng vices He was man in whom the ele-