New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-03

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and brave array of friends and neigbbos, follow
ed in the train but none rode more gsilanty 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 tue
war; was renewed by the arrival of pack OF French
hounds, sent out BY Lafayette. These dogs were
of great strength, and fierce courage. They wouia
have been able to encounter the wolf OF Dear Ut
even to grappe with the lion on his native sands aS
well AS to pull down thestag in the Americaniorest
II was necessary to keep them in close connnemeht
as from their ferOcious disposition, they would not
hesitate TO devour stranger, who might pass their
kennel after nightfa should the gates be uncosed.
The hun;sman always presided at their meals, and
il was only by the vigorous use of the lash that any
degree of law and order could be preserved among
these savage animals. If the weather permitted,
there was q hunt three times week. Breakfast
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
eavacade would often have left the house. andunken
nelled the fox Washington was one Of the most ac
cOmpshed cavaliers. He rode with ease, elegance,
and power He took no account of any vicious pro-
pensties of his horse. The only quality which he
demanded of horse, was that he should go along,
aud ridiculed the idea that he could be unseated,
provided the animal kept on his legs. Indeed with
bis sinewy frame and iron muscles, he had such
tenacious grip with his knees, that horse might
IS easily throw off his saddle as such rider. His
favorite animal for the chase was horse called
Blueskin of dark iron-gray color, approaching to
blue. This was fine, but fiery steed, aud of great
endurance in long run. The huntsman WILL bet
ter known in Revolutionary lore rs Billy, rode
| horse called Climbing, wonderful leaper, and
made very much like its rider low, but sturdy, aud
of great bone and muscle The only duty of Will
was 10 keep with the hounds. Calamity did he
perform his task. Mounted on Climbing, throw.
ing himself almost 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 a style at which modern hunts.
men would stand sgbast There were roads cut
through the woods in various directions, by which
tmid hunters and even ladies could enjoy the e1-
bilarating cry, without risk Of life or limb; but
Washington rode gaiy up to his dogs, nor spared
bis impetuOus steed as the distended nostrils OF
Blueskn would often show. He was always in at
the death, and yielded to no man the honor Of the
brush After the chase the party would ret i'm to the
mansion. house. where, at the Widespread board
ard with TIE flowing glass; the incidents of the
| field were discussed; while Washington, never de-
yatrg from his orderly habits for the sake of con-
viva pleasures, would after few glasses Of Ma
deria, retire supperless to bed at niue O'Clock.
WasbnHOns last hunt with his hounds was in
l7S5. His time was too much absorbed in bis pri-
yate affairs and in public business to allow him to
! indulge in field sports His fOndness for agricul-
tural pursuits, and the number of visitors at Mount
Vernon, induced him to break up his kennels, give
away his hounds, and to take a final leave of the
pleasures of the chase. He then formed an extern
siye deer-park below the mansion-house, at first
stocked enly with the native deer, to which was
afterward added the English fallOw deer, from the
park of Gov Ogle of Maryland. The stock of
deer increased very rapidly, but though always
herdBg together, there never was perceptible the
slightest admixture of the two races. On the de-
cay of the park paling, and the dispersion of the
deer over the estate, as many as fifteen or twenty
were often to be seen in herd. Washington was
very tenacious of his game, and would suffer none
to be killed, until being convinced that the larder Of
an extensive hotel in a neighboring town was
abupdsnily supplied by poachers with plump
launches from the Mount Vernon stock, he at
length consented that stag should die. The order
was given to young Gusts to fire with ball, to
no hounds, and to kill no one but an old buck.
After lively hunt, gallant veteran yielded up his
| life, and was carried in triumph to the mansion
house, to await the masters inspection. Punctual
at quarter to three, Washington arrived from his
morning ride Upon the announcement that fine
buck had been shot, he strobe away TO the spot,
where the "antlered monarch Of the herd" had
been placed. Examining the deer that had been
triced up TO tree he saw that his orders had been
Obeyed TO tle letter. gave nod of appreciation, and
according TO his custom, retired to his room to
dress before the second bell for dinner. The next
day, Feyeral guests having assembled, the haunch
was served up in the family dining-room at Mount
Vernon, and the deer was long remembered as the
Washington stag, having been killed by his special
order and served at his table in the very last year
of his ilustrious life.
During the whole of his Presidency, Washington
preserved the habit of rising at four o'clock and re-
firing to bed at nine OnSsturdays, he rested some
what from bis labors by either riding into the cOuu
try attended by groom, or with his family in his
coach drawn by six horses. His stables were al
ways in the finest order, and his equpage excellent
| both in taste and quality. WaehinnOns master of