New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-10
Ntw31mk Daily Gibn,re
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MEMOIRS OF WASHINGTON By Ms C. ~ KIsaLAsp.
limo PIP SIG d. Appston Co
IN preparing this vslusse, Mira. Kirkland has
On ed at furnishing biography Of Washington, iess
elaborate in ifs character than those which aspire
70 historic dignity, and especially adapted to the
comprehension and tastes Of the younger class Of
readers. She has accordingly glded rapidly over
The details Of war and craftsmanship which occu-
pied the public life Of. W Arlington, and dwelt with
| HpgeriDg reverence and enthusiasm on the familiar
features which distinguished the personal ana do.
| nestle character Of the hero. The picture which
she has drawn Of Wash'ngton's private life is most
attractive. She has brought together variety Of
incidents and anecdotes, which had not before OBJ
taned general currency, and even those which
better known to the public lose nothing by repe
tision m her fehcltous narrative Although modest
in its pretensiops, and claiming no rivsshp with
he established classics in this depar ment Of Amer
can history, Mrs. Kirkands work viii End an
honorable place in our biographical literature By its
animated and lucid style, its picturesque defines
tons its sympathetic tone and its admirable appre
ciatien Of the softer and more winning aspects Of
the character of Washington.
The description of the hero's early home, affor3s
an excellent specimen Of the graceful ease with
which the writer porsrays famihr scenes, and am
ply justfes our commentator Of the volume:
The family lived very plainly and the newcomers
opeIed bis dark blue eyes scene grander than
NAV be found in the planest Virginia or Vermont farm
house of our own day. There was, we msy be sure q
low eeH &; gieat wide, brick or tile fire. place;
well saved carpet, with few strss oottomed chalr,
and tail old bedsiead with posts like soop mas,s -
such Wsshif gton slept IN to the end OF bis MS
Perhaps these ste supported white dimity curtains,
Tor bed curtains had not then been voted unhealthy
md very likely there were come curious, old, black
framed eugravings, of fsvorte heroes or preachers,
hanging h'sh up on the WALL and almost surely
A vun.bed ioeE that licked behind the door
We could fancy, from the punc.ualty Of Washington
Ee habits that the ticking OF clock must have been
enc Of the earliest sounds that caught his ear.
He was baptized April 5, Ms. Mildred Gregory
being his godmOther, aud Mr.. Beverley Whiting aud
| Captain Christopher Brooks, godfaihers. His early
home probably almost as rough and simple as
Hakespearts. The farm houses at the South PLAIN
enough, even now, and there arc some still eItAnt
which retain good many of the old frugal features OF
Washington early day. The ehinneys OF such are
very generally built on the Ousde, aud it is not
s.mmon 10 brick oven in the open air, Little
moved from the dwelling for fear Of fire. Abou. these
primitive homesteads are to be found harlgolds,
Princes Feathers and IIollyhocks fenoee lined with
suuapt bushes and door yards onamented with sweet
srer but no Dallas or Csmeilss, or rolled gravel
walks or privet hedges. Utility dominstes over al
beauty soInes il at all, moetly by chance. Generally
8. old black looking palng keeps out the less enter
pr.ipp of the pigs but over it and under il fowls
nerabe End their way, whenever grain is aoOu
the barn. Yet there air of and freedom, and
fess always sure OF hospitality, the cardinal virtue
Of he South. The house Is the of quiet aud
nous business nature out of doors be at play
and leisure and INT associated 10 the nds
Of the Inhabitants, very much with the sunshine and
| ire open sky. In 6ne weather some Of the homsly
household occupations which pride and taste love 10
keep b. hind the scenes, are carried under the
of The farm house. but this is only that good mother
Earth may take care Of what must within doors be
cleared up with promptness and toll, neither of which
cur Southern brethren are very fond of. The dask.
cUmple1ioned people, who are neverfalng feature Of
The Virginia home landscape love the sunshine,
IN July, and they never stay under roof when they
can help II. Thus occ AioDs those shflh long dra Va
aits and Objurgations which Is apt TO hear in
passing such An old fashioned dwelling we are
peal ing Uf Bells Not being thought Of and travellers
OF Fl, Quept family affairs are largely expedited by
kmnn screenings which help TO enhven the general
sei'ariness.
Wsshington's private tastes are well commented
on in the following paragraph:
Washingtons cary writings show plainly that he
knew and felt what sentiment was and his original
susceptibility TO tender emotions testified in particular
guilty offs proved by the general tone Of his remarks
on the young ladies that he met with. Is certain that
here were times when he fancied himself very I'M
fortunate fellow, because certain fair damsels did not
self TO busness and begun to feel tho hardening of hs
sDess, mentally and booily hear more of his
being undoIe" because young lady will not prove
kind" He bad by that time attained the robuster trans
which says
What care how fair ,be 10
IL she b. not 80 for ne
He was awaysfo VI ladies society, enjoyed female
conversation, and Interested in little matters th 1t
interested women, We find by many of his letters
He had great deA Of taste, and showed it in dress
furniture and equipsge TO which be gave, through his
whole life, such attention a. only man whose taste
formed an important part Of his nature could have given
undsr the circumstances. Old people in Philadelphia
say that when he rode through the streets il no
6ced IN the universal attention whc his splendid
appearance excited that his horse hoofs BACKED
| and polished ss thoroughly ~ his own boots
He loved children and hey loved him, although they
held him in awful This reverence did nt
always please him, and be sometimes evinced good
deal Of snnoyan when he found that his entrance in
rrupted the childHh sports that he would have liked
10 witness. He has been for quarter Of hour
hooking through the crack of the door party Of
young people, rompng apd playing blind man $ bun.
The closely study Washingtons writings, the
more prevailing will be the impression thst the sscri
6ce Of much indulgence Of the softer emotions must be
counted among the immense ones which lie m sdo To
duty Ii be could have lived The life he chose for him
sel-hst Of intelligent and enterpriZing farmer
head Of family generous host kind neighbor, faithful
friend good ciIzen, guardian Of the young proteor
Of the aged that Providence threw il bis way-there
would, doubt, have been great modidcatIon IL nis
manners, becaufe there would necessarily have -on
one in his thoughts and feelings. Uotl the necessity
for sternnees aIoee, bear nothing OF ~
While hs was Q private gentetn Al nooody seems TO
have thought of IL HIS IeDos We iad BY hie papers,
tale al eorte Of Lberies With ms hoasc bis table,
his horses, his time. He has 8 6slcins school at
Mount Vernon for the little Custises and some
Of the neighbour children, and be keeps the dancing
master and most Of the scholars not only to dinner
but till the next day, even longer. he invites bis
miller and his mllsrs wife to dine and goes every day
10 visit bis negroes when they Ill. In short there
are few gentlemen OF fortane accessible % unyer
sally hosptable 90 careless Of any exclusive dignity
q Washington ct home and we know that it was !,