Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-12-10

fathers farm, met with an old unknown
book, which told the story of farmers
son, who went away to seek his fortune.
and came home after many years absence, a
rich man, and gave great sums to all his re-
latlons. From that moment George was
uneasy, till he set out on his travels TO
initiate the adventurer He lived over
again the life he had read Of, and actually
did return millionaire, and paid all his
fathers debts Robinson Crusoe has sent
10 10 sea more sailors than the press.gang.-
The story of little George Washington tell
ing the truth about the Ratchet and plum
tree has made many a truth teller. We
owe all the Waverly novels TO Scotts early
reading OF the old traditions and legends.
The Republican Court I'm the DAYS OF the
| First President.
&. w. p. Custis furnishes some interest
ing facts respecting the Republican Court,
during the Presidency of WashingtoR:
The Presidential Mansion in Philadel-
phia, was the property of Robert Morris,
aud had been the headquarters of Sir Will
liam Howe during the occupation of PhiIa-
delphia 10y the British in I777J7S. The
situation was eligible, being in an airy and
pleasant part of the city, with a consider
able area adjoining it, and contiguous
to the public buildings Considerable ad-
ditionS and improvements were made to
the original building with view to its ac-
commodatiOn of the Presidents household :;
still the rooms were small, and the whole
establishment but indiferently fitted for
the purposes required.
The equipages of the President were
we'll provided for, the stabling for twelve
horses being extensive aud eommodious,
and the coach-bouses large and convenient.
Washington's unmitigated, untiring en-
| ployment and labor made it necessary that
he should have some mode of public recep-
ton for the many visitors who were contin-
ually seeking opportunities of paying their
respects and presenting their letters of in
PRODUCTION hence the Presidents Levee
on Tuesdays, commencing at three and end
ing at four o'clock. At these receptions
there was no shaking of hands, the Chief
receiving his visitors as President of the
United States and not as General Wash
ington. The Foreign Ministers attended
the Ievee in full costume, and often intro
duced persons of distinction from their re-
Spective countries All strangers of dis
tinctlon embraced the opportunity of the
Ievee to pay their respects to the Chief
Magistrate. The President was plainly
but handsomely dressed, his hair in full
powder, and wearing dress sword He
was attended by his principal secretary
Mr.. Lear, by Major jackson, and the 9TH
er gentlemen of his family. He addressed
n few words of nonrtaSy to tIa r;e;tor, a,
they were presented. The company then
formed in groups for conversation, and on
the stroke of four o'clock retired the levee
being at an end.
The DRAWING ROOM. When Mrs Wash
ingtOn received company it was on Friday,
commencing about seven and ending about
ten o'clock. Two rooms were thrown open
The furniture that was thought handsome
in those days would be considered barely
decent in modern times. The principal or
nament was glass chandelier in the largest
room, burning wax lights. The chair of
the lady of the President was plain arm
chair, lined with green morocco leather
The ladies visiting the drawing room
were always attended by gentlemen. 1t
was not the habit for very young girls to
be present in the drawing room, but only
those of the age when it is proper for la.
dies to go into company. Upon the ladies
being introduced they were seated, and the
President, who always attended the draw
ing rooms, passed round the circle paying
his respects to each in succession, and it
was common remark among the chitchat
of the drawing room that the Chief was no
inconsiderable judge of female beauty, since
he was observed 10 tarry longer than usual
when paying his compliments to Miss Sophia
Chew, a charming belle of Philadel phia
in that time time.
Refreshments were handed round by
servants 10 livery, and about that period
first appeared the luxury, now so universal,
of ice cream. Introductions to eminent
persOnages, and conversation formed the
entertainments Of the drawing room. =
Cards we're altogether unknown.
But the leading and most imposing feat
nre OF the drawing room was the men of
mark, the "Revolutionaries," both civil and
military, who were to be seen there. The
old officers delighted to pay their respects
to the wife of Washington and to call up
the "reminiscences of the headquarters and
Of the "times that tried mems souls" These
glorious old cheValiers were the greatest
beaux of the age, and the Recollection of
their gallant achievements together with
their elegant manners, made them accepta.
BILE to the ladies every where They form
ed the elite of the drawing room. General
Wayne, the renowned "Mad Anthony"
with his aides de camp, Lewis and DeButts,
frequently attended, with Miffiin, Walter
Stewart, Colonel Hartley, and many others.
Indeed, there was often to be met at the
mansion of the First President an assem-
blage of intellect and honor, public virtue
and private worth, exalted merit and illus
trious services, such as the world will never
see again.
Among the foreign officers of distinction,
visitors Of the drawing room, were the VII
compte de Noailles, of the French, and
MaioF Reckvith nf the Rrftieh orraias