Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-09-19
GBoiee Mlistfllanp,
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF
GENERAL WASHINGTON.

From the Note Book of the late Mr..
Horace Binney Wallace, of Philadel-
phia, l am permitted to transcribe rec
ord of some conversations with his moth
er, Mrs. Susan Wallace, in which that
lady-so eminent for whatever is beauti
full and noble in her sex-disclosed her
recollection of Washington's habits, per-
sonal appearance and manners. On the
removal of the government to Philadel-
phia, Mrs. Mary Binney, mother of Mrs.
Wallace, resided n market ssreet, oppo-
site General Washington's-the door of
the house few PAGES farther east. 1t
was the Generals custom, frequently,
when the day was fine, to come out to
walk, attended by his Secretaries-Mr.
Lear and Major William Jackson-One
on each side. He always crossed direct
ly over from his own door to the sunny
side of the street, and walked down. He
was dressed in black, and all three wore
cooked hats. She never observed them
,onvt rising she often wandered and
watched, as child, to see if any of the
party spoke, but never could perceive
that anything was said. 1t was under
stood that the aids were kept at regal
distance. General Washington had large
family coach light carriage, and car
rage, all alike--cream colored, painted with
three enameledfgures on each panel-and
very handsome He drove in the coach to
Christ church every Sunday morning,
with two horses drove the carriage and
four into the cOuntry-to Landsd .wne,
The Hills, and other places. In going
to the Senate, he used the chariot with
six horses. All his servants were white,
and wore liveries of white cloth, trimmed
with scarlet or orange. Mrs. Wallace#
Mrs. Wallace, widow. Of the late John Bradford
Wallace, and sister of Mr. Horace Binney, died the
9Th of July, 1854. The Rev. Herman Hooker D. D.. in
eloquent and appropriate iibute to her memory,
says not speak of her in terms suitable to my
conceptions No praise BELTS the character the taste
of such person truthful and grateful mention Of
her virtues These were Numerous and SO marked,
that Just mention of them will seem to border on
exaggeration-she a model Of a woman Her ele-
vation was such, that seen through the distance of
slight formal acquaance, it might be mistaken for
pride or austerity But there are many persons Of
humble condition. who testify with whst ease and
readiness she cud appreciate the feelings and merits
ofan. So various were her accomplishments. so pro-
found. dy and discerning her mind, that whether
approached by the most learned and fashionable
most intelligent and learned persons, she a
suitable to their taste aul position. Her mind was
cOnrersant with prni and from these she coulC
start out any subject, detect its and dens
its limits. She always entertaining and nstruc
tive Nothing could be said in her presence which she
would fail to appreciate justly She severely just
severely conscientious. She had all the mpulsivenesl
OF woman, all the sensibities Of cultivated naure
all were under discipline ght CONTROL and thus ad
ded grace, worth and certainty, to all the virtues
hfe- Mrs Wallace was born on Washingtou's birth
day. le and was just entering society in the last yea
his administration. Her husband was a pepbew q
Mr. Bradford the second Attorney General Of the Uni
tel States. He was described - Daniel Webster a
" of the Oldest, truest. and most valued by hi
friends"