The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-03-06
MA, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH g. 1856
Washington's Personal Habits.

Washington's Personal Habits.
He was an early riser, often before day
break in the winter when the nights were
long. On such occasions he lit his own
fire, and wrote or read by candle-light. He
breakfastcd at seven in summer, ut eight in
winter. Two small cups Of tea and three
or four cakes Of Indian meal, (caIled hoe
cakes,) formed his frugal rcpast. Immedi-
ately after breakfast, he mounted his horse
and visited those parts Of the estate where
amy work WAS going on, seeing to every
thing with his own eyes, and often aiding
with his own hand.
Dinner was served at two o'clock. lie
ate heartily, but was no epicure, nor critical
about his food. His beverage was small
beer or cider, and two glasses of old Ma
deria. lie took tea, of which lie was very
fond, early in the evening, and retired for
the night about o'clock.
If confined to the house by bad weather,
he took that occasion to arrange his papers,
post up his accounts. or write letters-pass-
ing part Of the time in reading occasionally
reading aloud to the family.
X 4
Washington delighted in the chase. In
the hunting season, when he rode out early
in the morning to visit distant parts of the
estate, where work was going on, he often
took some Of the dogs with him for the
chance Of starting a fox, which he occa-
sionally did, though he was not always
successful in killing him. Lie was bold
rider and an admirable horseman, though
lie never claimed the merit of being an ac-
compli>hed fox hunter. In the height of
the season, however, hc would be out with
the fox-hounis two or three times a week,
accompanied by his guests ut Mount Vernon
and the gentlemen of the ncghborhood,
especially the Fairfaxcs of Bclvoir, Of which,
estate his friend George William Fairfax
WAS now the proprietor. On such occasions
there would be a hunting dinner ut one or
the other Of those establishments, at which
convivial rcpasts Washington is said to
have enjoyed himself with unwonted llar-
i.y.-Iroings Washington.
n Thought for Iothers.-When the
mother gathers her little flock around the
evening fire for instruction or social inter
coui,c, she knows not but she may he pol
ishins the gem that may glitter in the f,,-
ture history of our country. She knows at
all events that if the SONS live to manhood,
they will become citizens upon whose intel
ligrnce and virtue viii mc,s,lr,by depend
the future prosperity of our country. 1t is
the custom Of monarchical nations to etlu-
cate the heir apparent of royalty with cspe-
cial reference to his future rank and destiny.
And is it OF less importance that the heirs
apparent of American greatness be cduca-
ted with especial reference to the peculiar
duties and privileges that await them -
Should they bc permitted, as it is often the
case, to grow TO manhood in utter ignor-
ancc of these duties and then be allowed
blndly to exercise the right Of suffrage,
upon which SO much depends! Let the
mother then strive by every means in her
power to have her children prepared for
their duties as American citizens.
Niagara Falls IN IVintcr-The Buffalo
Express publishes IL communication from
correspondent ut Niagara, describing the
present beauties Of the Falls. The follow
ing is an extract -
The spray, drifting over the adjacent
shores, has transformed the commoncst ob-
jects into shapes Of such fairy like beauty
AS is elsewhere only conceived Of in dreams.
Ali things are enveloped in cleaning ice.
The Islands are inlaid with pavement as
pure and solid as the most stainless Parian.
The rocks that shoot up from the far depths
of the precipice are hooded and wrapped
up in the vast brcadths Of ice, like monks
doing homage to the genius Of peace. The
trees arc bowed down to the earth with
their snowy vcstments, like worshpping
choir Of white nuns. Everywhere but in
the immediate channel of the swollen and
surging river the Ice King reigns supreme
Under his magic touch Nature is visibly
ilealized. Stalactite groves, and towers of
crystal, and forests glittering with brilants
and pearls, seem no longer fgment of
genius, but beaming reality. If you
would witness this dazzling scene, come by
all means soon. The visit will not be re-
GREETED"
Disconeerting an Orator.-It is an as
tonishiug thing how little matter will
sometimes disconcert man who is accus-
toned to speak in public, and to have his
thoughts about him, and ready at command