Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-04-13
personal Traits of washington

with d memoir of the author, by his daugh-
ter, is just out There is much in it that
will be read with great interest.
now WASHINGTON. RODE AFTER HIS HOUNDS.
During the interval between 1859 and
1771. the time which Washington could
spare from his. building AID agricultural i'm
provements was devoted in a great measure
to the pleasures of the chase He appears
to have had no lasts for shooting or fishing
but fox hunting was a sport in entire accord
ance with his athletic habits ard his fond
ness for equestrian exercises, His kennel
was situated near the family vault in which
his remains were at first deposited. ~ It was
rude structure, but afforded comfortable
| Quarters for the hounds. The pack was
very numerous and select. Every morning
and evening Washington visited and inspec-
ted tie kennels, in tie same manner as he
did his stables He took pride in the dis
cipline Of the hounds If in running, one
of them lost the scent, another was at hand
Immediately to recover it, and thus when in
full cry, in sporting phrase, you might COW
er the pack with blanket. He kept reg
lister Of his horses and hounds,in which might
he found the names age and marks of each,
and with his com anions oftse chase he
was as punctual in his attentions as to any
other business of his life. At the commence
ment of the season Mount Vernon, became
crowded with guests from the heighborhood
from Maryland and elsewhere. Their WIS.,
its were prolonged not only for days but for
weeks, and they were entertained with the
exuberant hospitality of the old Dominion.
Washington was always superbly mounted,
and in the genuine costume of the chase
He wore blue coat, scarlet waistcoat, buck
skin breeches, top boots and velvet. CAP
With his long thonged whip in his hand he
took the field at day break. Will Lee. his
huntsman, a brave array of friends and neigh
bors in the train, but none rode more gall
lantly in the chase, or with more CHEEKY
voice awoke the echoes of the woodland, thar
the host of Mount Vernon. ,a,,,
After the close of tie. Revolution, the
limiting establishment, which had gone down
during the last war, was renewed by the ar
rival of pack of French hounds, sent by
Lafayette. These dogs were of great strength
and fierce courage. They would have been
able to encounter, the wolf or BEAR. or even
to grappls with the lion on his native sands
as well as to pull down, the stag in the A
merican forest. 1t was necessary to keep
them in close confinement, as, from their
ferocions disposition, they would not hesitate
to devour stranger who might pass their
kennel after nightfall, should the gates be
Enclosed The huntsman always presided
at their meals, and it was only by the vigo-
rous use Of the lash that any degree of law
end order could be preserved among these
savage animals. If the weather permitted,
there was hunt three times week. Break
fast was served on those mornings by candle
light. ~ Washington, as usual, took nothing
but an Indian-cake and bowl of milk -
Before sunrise the whole cavalcade would
often have left the house and uukenneled
the fox. Washington was one of the most
accomplished cavaliers. He rode with ease,
elegance and power he took no account of
any vicious propensities of his horse. The
only quality which he demanded of a horse
was that he should 60 along, and ridculed
the idea that he could be unseated, provided
that the animal kept on his legs, Indeed,
with his sinewy frame and iron muscles, he
had such a tenacious grip with his knees,
chat horse might as easily throw off his
saddle as such a rider. His famous animal
fer the chase was horse called Blueskin,
of dark iron grey color, approaching to
blue This was fne, but fiery steed, of
great endurance in long run. The hunts
nan Will, better known in Revolution lore
IS Billy, rode horse called Chinkling, q
wonderful leaper, and very much like its
rider, low, but sturdy and. of great bone
and muscle. The only duty of Will was to
keep with the hounds. Calamity did he
perform his task Mounted on Chinkling,
throwing himself almost at full length on
the animal, with French horn at his back.
and his spur in flank. this bold rider would
rush at full speed, through brake or tangled
wood, in style at which modern huntsmen
would stand aghast. There were roads cut
through the woods in various directions, by
which timid hunters. and even ladies, could
enjoy the exhilarating cry, without risk of
life Or limb, but Washington rode gaily up
to his dogs, nor spared his impetuous steed,
as the distended nostril of Blueskin would
show. He was always in at the death. and
yielded to no man the honor Of the brush.
After the chase, the party would return to
the mansion hoJse. where, at the we'll
spread board and with the flowing glasses.
Tie incidents of the field were discussed,
while Washington, never deviating from
bis orderly habits for the sake of convivial
pleasures, would, after few glasses Of Ma
aeiara, retire supperless to bed at nine o.
clock -astt1 s3g4 slalt
How BABIES kEE FUr TO SLEEP IN INDIA,
Springs of water are abundant, and near
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