The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-04-06
Personal Traits 0f washing
ton.

| A volume of recoIIecuons and private
memories of Washington, by his adopted
son with a memoir o. the author, by hi
daughter, is just out. There is much il
it that will be read with great interest:
now WASHINGTON RODE AFTER HIS HOUNDS
Daring the intervals between 1889 anc
l774, the time which Washington coulG
spare from his agricultural improvement!
was devoted, in great measure, to the
pleasure of the chase. He appears to have
had no taste for fishing or shooting; bu
! tox-hunting was a sport in entire accord
ance with his athletic habits and lis fond
ness for equestrian exercises His kenne
was situated near the family vault, il
which his remains were at first deposited
1t was arude structure, but afford comfort
able quarters for the hounds. The pack
was very numerous and select Every
morning and evening Washington Yizite:
ana lnsPee,e1 .ne AenueIs, il the same
manner that he did the stables. lie took
pride in the discipline Of his houuds
in running one of them lost the scent, an
other was at hand Immediately to recover
it, and thus when in full cry, in sporting
phrase, you might cover the pack with a
blanket. lie kept a register OF his horses
and hounds, in which might be found the
names, ages, and marks of each, aud with
these companions Of the chase he was q:
punctual in his attentions, as to any ether
business of his life.
At the commencement of the season
Mount Vernon became crowded with
guests from the noighborhood, from Mary
land, and elsewhere. Their visits were
prolonged not on Y for days but for weeks,
and they were entertained with the exu.
berant hospitality of the Old Dominion
Washington was al ways superby mount
ed, and in the genuine costume of the
chase. lie wore il blue coat, scarlet waist
coat, buckekin breeches, top boots, ans
velvet cap. WIKI his long -thonged whir
III hand, he took the field at daybreaA =
VIII Lee, his hun!sman, and brave array
Of friends and neighbors, followed in the
train, but none rode more gaiantly in the
| chase, or with more CHEEKY voice awoke
the echoes of the woodland, than the host
Of Mount Vernon.
After the close of the Revolution, the
hunting establishment, which had gone
down during the war, was renewed by the
arrival Of a pack Of French hounds sent
by Lafayette. These dogs were of grea,
| strength, and fierce courage. They would
have been able to encounter the wolf OF
bear, eyen to grapple with the lion on his
native sands, as we'll as to pull down the
stag in the American forest. 1t was nee.
essary to keep them in close confinement
as from their forocious disposition, they
would not hesitate to devour stranger
who might pass their kennel after hight
fall, should the gates be unclosed.
The huntsmen always presided at their
meals, and it was only by the vigorous
use Of the lash that any degree Of law and
order could be preserved among these say.
age animals. If the weather permitted
| there was hunt three times week.
Breakfast was served on those mornings
by candle light. Washington, as usual
took nothing but an Indian cake and q
bowl of milk. Before sunrise, the whole
cavalcade would often have left the house
and unkenneled the fox. Washington was
one Of the most accomplished Cavaliers
lie roIe with ease, elegance, anI power
lie took 10 account OF any vicious propen
sitics Of his horse. The only quaIil,
which he demanded Of horse, was tha
he should 90 along, and riGiculed the ides
that he could be unseated, provided tha
the animal kept on his legs. Indeed, witt
| his sinewy frame and iron muscles, lie haC
such tenacious grip with his knees, tha
a horse might MS easily throw off his sad
die as such a rider. His favorite anima
for the chase was a horse called Blueskin
Of a dark iron gray color, approaching t,
blue. This was fine, but fiery steed, anc
Of great endurance in long run. Th'
huntsruan VIII, better known in Revou
tionary lore as Billy, rode horse Gale,
Chinkling, wonderful leaper, and yer,
much like its rider, low, but sturdy, ant
of great bone and muscle. The only dat,
Of VIII was to keep with the hounds
GaIlanty did he perform his task. Mount
ed on Chinkling, throwing himself almos
full length on the animal with a Trencl
horn at his back, and his spur in flank, thi
ODIl I4Ntl NOu4A lu9I, eiL iili rpSCt
through brake or tangled wood in a styl
at which modern huntsmen would stan
against.
There were roads cut through the WOO
in various directions, By which timii hunt
ers and even ladies could enjoy the exhil
Grating cry, without risk Of life or limb
but Washington rode gaily up to his dog
nor spared his impetuous steed, as the dis
tended nostrils of Blueskin would ofte
show lie was always in at the deaf
and yielded to no man the honor Of tn
brush After the chase the party woul
return to the mansion house, where at tn
Widespread board and with .he howin
glass, the incidents Of the field were dis
cussed; while, Washington never devia,
ing from his orderly habits for the sake G
conyiyiaI pleasures, would, after fer
glasses of Madeira, retire supperless to be-
AZ nine O'Clock.
HOW wAsHI CROSS HORSES WERE CEooNEl
WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT.
Burning the whole Of his Presidency
Washington preserved the habit of risin.
at four o'clock and retiring to bed at nine
! On SATURDAYS he restnl -hr,a,ubot fro,,