The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-03-05
Prom the Southern Literary Messenger
CHARACTER or WASHINGTON.


like 10 know who its althaf was. For mn
ished elegance, and for justness of portrait
turc. Ii has never heen surpassed, ~ ever
aaualled. by any other sketch Of our match.
less coantryman. Could it haze been an
Enciishman, who 50 Justly appreciated. o. 50
happily portrayed his character. u an Eng
iishsnan, who was her can think Of no one
then living in Great Rriiain, tBurke had died
nearly four years before, who had at once q
heart. mind, and pen for such work. ex-
cent Erskine. Fox had the heart. mind, and
tongue for it, perhaps; but not The pen. 1t j.
found in Kingston's Life OF Washington,
modest, and we'll composed otodecimo Of 2a4
pages, published ait Baltimore in isl3 King
ston does not tell the name Of the London
newspaper.
This mastery portrait should be laid on
every parlor table, and studied by every per-
son in America. The traits which i describes
and truly attributes to. Washington, are traits
&c which the frequent contemplation would
do more than a thousand lectures to make
noby useful men. ~.
THE melancholy account of the death OF
General Washington was brought BY vessel
from Baltimore, which has arrived of Dover.
aGeneral Washington was, we believe, II
his 6sth year. The height Of his person was
about Ave feet eleven; his chest full; and his
limbs, though rather slender, weli-shape.l
and muscular His head was rather s.nall;in
which respect he resenbled the make OF a
great number Of his countrymen. His eyes
were Of light grey color; and in proportion
10 the length DC his face, his nose was long.
Mr. Steward. the eminent portrait painter.
used TO saw, there we're features IN his lace
totally different from what he had observed
in that nf any other human being, the sockets
nf the ewes, for instance, were larger than
what lie ever met with before. and the upper
part Of the nose broader. All bis features,
ne observed, were Indicative OF the strongest
passions; vet, like Socrates. his judgmentand
great selfcommand have always made him
appear man Of different cast in the eyes
ri the world. He always spoke with great
diffi,lence, and sometimes hesitated Tor a
word; bat it was always To find one particular
" we'll adapted 10 his meaning. Ills Ian
guage was manly and expressive. AT leyee.
Ills discourse with strangers turned principal
IL upon the subject Of America; and if they
had been through any remarkable places, his
conversation was free and particularly in
terestng, for he was intimately acquainted
with every part Of the country. lie was much
more opeu and free in his behaviour at ieyes
than in private; and in company Of ladies' stiil
more 50 than when solely with men.
/" Few persons ever found themselves for
the FIRST time in The presence Of General
Washington, without being impressed with a
certain degree of seneratinn and awe, nor
did thuse emotions subside in closer ac-
euainiance; on the contrary. his person and
deporiment we're such as rather tended e
augment them. The hard service he had seen.
The important and laberioas offices he had
oiled, gave kind Of austcrity 10 his conn
tenance and reserve 10 his manners; yet he
VAS Inc kindest husband, tile most humane
master, the steaJiest friend.
uThe whole range Of history does not pre-
sent to our view character upon which We
can dwell with such entire and unmixpi
admiration. The long life Of General WASH
ine;on Is not stained BY single blot. lie was
indeed man Or such rare eninwmsnts, and
such fortunate Temperament. that every ac-
ton he performed was equally exempted from
the charge &c vice Or weakness. Whatever
be said or did or wrote, was stamped with a
striking and peculiar propriety. Ills qaali-
ties were so happily blended, and 80 nicely
perfect whole. The pnwers Of his mind aH,l
The disposition Of his heart, were admirably
suited TO each other. Il was the union d the
most perfect prudence with the most cum
summated moderation. Ills views, though
large and liberal. were never extrasagani;
his virtues. though comprehensive and beue-
1icent. were discriminating, judieipus and
practicable.
.Yet his character, though regular and
uniform, possessed none Of The bitterness
which may sometimes belong to these des.
criptions 81 men. II formed a majestic pile,
the elect Of which MS nor impaired. but IN.
proved by order and symmetry. There was
nothing IN il 10 dazzle by Sildness, Or sur.
prise by eeeeniFicity. II was 81 j higher
species of moral beauty. II contained every
thing great and elevated. bul il had 10 false
and iinsei ornaments. II was not The mode
cried " Tie fashion and tie Circumstance; il,
Excellence vas adapted ID Tie true and las
mora taste. incapable II change from III
varying accidents u manners, opinions. AMI
times. General Washington uas not the ld0
81 4 Las, bal tie hero II ages
aPlacsd ii Circumstances 81 lie most try
ing difficulty, at Tie commencement d II,
AMeftkaH A0HtFs1s IL hthtPtsu s3tat 1tt4a
zion which VAS pre- eminent in danger an,
responsibility. III. perseverance, nfrrcin'
every obstacle; lis moderation cunciliater
every opposition; Ii. renius supplied ever,
resource; lis enlarged siew enald plan, resisi
and impnse every branch u civil and mill
tary operation. he Lad Tie superior cOurag
which can aci uf fotbeaf to aci, "a true polio
dictates, careless d The reproaches ~ isng
ranre--either II power Or ut u power. u
knew how IL conquer bs waiting, n spite q
oblsquy. fyr tie moment of sictors; aud b
rnerlied TINE nrai.r liz ae.nIsinr mnhesefAel