Spirit of the age., 1859-12-14
firtsiAt Stabing,
From the New York Ledger.
THE YOUTH OF WASHINGTON.

A year or two since, paid visit to
singular-lookiug old building in the valley
of Virginia called "Greenway Court" A
hundred years ago it was the residence of
Thomas, sixth Earl of Fairfax, who owned
by royal grant the whole vast territory
lying between the Rsppahannock and Po-
tomac rivers, from Chesapeake Bay to the
Alleghaneys. Lord Fairfax was an eccen-
tric old nobleman, and 'Greenway" is Gu
rious structure, with its long veranda, its
dormar windows, and two belfrics in which
were once placed bells probably intended
TO sound the alarm, in case Of an Indian
attack. But Fairfax would long ago have
been lost sight Of by all save the dligent
student Of history, had it not been for a
single incident in his life. He happened
to makethe acquaintance of a Virginia boy,
whom he employed to survey bis posses
sions, and in fact educated for the great
career which he WAS TO run. The name Of
this boy was GEoRGE WASHINGTON.
This odd old nob.eman had been cruel
" disappointed in love affair in England.
Weary with fashionable life in which he
had shonc as a "ine gentleman" Of the
first water, and soured by his experience of
the fair sex, he emigrated to his possessions
in Virginia, and took up his abode at 'Bel-
voir;" the country seat of his cousin, Sir
William Fairfax, on the Potomac. Sir
William had married one Of the Washing.
ton family, who lived at Mount Vernon
not far from Belyoir, and this circumstance
led TO an acquaintance between the Ear
and young George Washington, then sixteei
years old. lie was wcll-grown youth, o
an athletic frame, agreeable manners and ad
vanced character for one Of his age. Th
tradition is at this time, he was like tn
Earl, disappointed in love; and longed 70
some active employment. The two pei
sons shared the same tastes. Both wer
extremely fond Of the sports Of the field, e.
pecially Of fox hunting. Many time th
noblemau and his youthful companio
dashed on, side by side, in pursuit Of re,
nard aud when they were not thus a
lively engaged, George sat by the fresd
and listened to the conversation of tn
Earl, drinking in with deep interests, anc
dotes Of Addison, Bolingbroke, Swift, al
the great men Of the DAYS of Queen Ann
with whom Lord Fairfax had lived {
terms Of intimacy. A strong friendsh
thus grew up between the man of fifty al
the boy Of sixteen Fairfax soon discov'
ed the youths strength of character
resolution, prudence and reliability. II
result was that he proposed to you,
A. tho Of lorI Ic
yond the Blue Ridge. This propositi
was at once accepted. 1t jumped with I
humor Of the boy who longed for adv'
turc, new scenes, and regular employme
His preparations were soon made, and
the month Of March, l74s, he set out "
a young relative of Fairfax, for the W
lands of the West. have frequently '
ted the scenes Of his sojourn in the vail,
and never behold them without realiz
as i. we're, the actual presence of the
dent boy. sec him crossing the Shen
doah, at what is now Berry's Ferry
Ashby's Gap, and no trait Of his appC
ance is wanting. | see the bright-fa
youth with his curling hair, his clear @
his erect form, and firm lips. He carr
his rife, surveying instruments, and kr
bdCA stIdppCu Oenlnu MS saQuIc-KceI
sharp lookout for Indians or other ga
and wended thus his way, toward L
Fsirfax's,' as he calls it in his brief iou
that is, the old house of Greenway
which | have referred. After sholt
journ here, where he laid down some
veys, and admired the splendid trees
proceeded towards the Potomac. As
ding the banks OF that stream, he went
the South Branch valley and after
veying the region, returned to Green
Court. Here, after bis various expediti
he seems to have met Lord Fairfax,
had removed west Of the Blue Ridge,
taken up his residence in the wilder
never to return to England more 1t
wild life, and singular character, "
the youthful Washington now lived
looked npon. Lord Fairfax was
Ninrod. He had brought to the new v
the English passion for hunting; and
taste he was now in condition to q
10 any extent. The mountains ar
Greenway Court were filed with bear,
elk, pauthcrs, foxes, and every speci,
gamc--and to destroy these denizel
The woods, soon became the regular
ploymcLt Of the Earl. His s1rroun