The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-04-06
Personal Traits Of Washington. i.

Souume OF recoiioeHons ana private me-
moirs Of Washington, by his adopted son, with
memoir OF the author, by his daughter is
lust out. There is much in 1t that will be read
with great interest
HOW WARRINGTON RODE AFTER HIS HOUNDS.
During the interval between 1859 and f77a,
tne time which Washington could spare from
MS building and agricultural improvements Is
was devoted In great measure to the plea
no taste for shooting CT fishing but fox hunt
ing was sport in entire accordance with his
athletic habits and his fondness for equestrian
exercises His kennel was situated near the
iamtIy vault in which his remains were at
hrst deposited. 1t was rude structure hnt
anorded comfortable quarters for the hounds
Inc pack was very numerous and select
Every morning and evening Washington visit
ed and inspected the kennels. IN the same man.
nef as he did his stables. lie took pride in the
discipline OF his hounds. If in running one of
them lost the scent, another was at hand i'm
mediately to recover ii, and thus when in full
cry, in sporting phrase you might cover the
pack with blanket. He kept 4 register OF his
horses and hounds, in which might be found
me names, age, and marks of each, and wifh
these companions of the chase he was as pune.
tual in his attentions as to any other bus mess
OF ms life. At the commencement of the sea-
son Mount Vernon became crowded with
guests from the neighborhood, from Mary land
ana elsewhere. Their visits were prolonged
not only Tor days but for weeks, and they were
entertained with the exuberant hos tality of
the Old Dominion. Washington was always
superbiy mounted, and in the genuine costume
OF the chase. He wore a blue coat, scarlet
Waisteoat, buckskin breeehes toI, boots and
velvet cap. With his hong thonged whip in
hana he took the field at day break. Will Lee,
and neighbors, followed in the train, but none
rode more gallantly 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 hunt
ing es establishment, which had gone down dur
ing Inc last war, was renewed by the arrival
~ pack OF French hounds, sent by Lafayette.
Ihese dogs We're OF great strength and fierce
courage They would have been able to en-.
counter the wolf or bear, or even to grapple
win the lion on his native sands, as we'll as to
pun down the stags in the American forest.
II was necessary to keep them in close confine-
ment, as, from their ferociOus 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 Dy 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 a hunt three times
week breakfast was served on those morn
lDgs by candlelight Washington, as usual,
took nothing but an Indian cake and a bowl of
milk. Before sunrise the whole cavalcade
would often have left the house and unken-
neled 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 go along, and ridculed the
idea that he could be unseated, provided that
the animal kept Oh his legs. Indeed, with his
sinewy frame and iron muscles, he had such
a tenacious grip with his knees that a horse
might as easily throw Off his saddle as such a
rider His famous animal for the chase was Il
horse called Blueskin of u dark iron grey
color approaching TO blue. This was a fine
but fiery Steed, of great endurance in a long
run. The huutsman Will, better known i'll
Revolution lore as Billy, rode a horse called
Chinkiing, 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. Gallantly did he
perform his task. Mounted on Cninklng,
rowing himself almost full length on the
animal, with a 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 huntslnen would
stand aghast. There were roads cut through
the woods in various directions, by which
timid bunters, and even ladies, could enjoy
the eXhilara:ing 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 ~ the mansion house
where, at the we'll spread board and with the
flowing glass, the incidents of the field were
discussed, while Washington, never devia,ing
from his orderly habits for the sake of convi-
vial pleasures, would, after a few glasses of
Madeira, retire supperless to bed at nine
O'Clock.