Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-05-31
Personal Traits of Washington.

A volume of recollections and private me.
moirs of Washington, by his adopted son,
with memoir of the author, by his daughter,
is just out. There is much in it that will be
read with great interest.
HOW WASHINGTON RODE AFTER HIS HOUNDS.
During the interval between 1859 and ls74
the time which Washington could spare from
his building and agricultural improvements
was devoted in great measure to the plea
no taste for shooting or 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
family vault, in which his remains were at
first deposited 1t was a rude structure, but
afforded comfortable quarters for the hounds.
The pack was very numerous and select
Every morning and evening Washington Wis.
tied and inspected the kennels, in the same
manner as he did his stables. He took pride
in the discipline of bis 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 cover
the pack with a blanket. He kept register
of his horses and hounds, in which might be
found the names, age, and marks of each, and
with these companions of the chase he was as
punctuai in his attendance as to any 'other
business of his life. At the commencement of
the season, Mount Vernon became crowded
with guests from the neighborhood, from Mary
land and elsewhere. Their visits were pro-
longed not only for days but for weeks, and
they were entertained with the exuberant hos
pitaIity of the Old Dominion. Washington
was always superbly mounted. and in the gen
uine costume of the chase. He wore blue
coat, scarlet waistcoat, buck skin breeches,
top boots, and velvet cap. With his long
thonged whip in hand he took the field at day
break Will Lee, his hGntsman, and brave
array of friends and neighbors, followed in the
train, but none rode more gaantly 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 establishment, which had gone down during
the last war, was renewed by the arrival of a
pack of French hounds sent by Lafayette
These 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
with the lion on his native sands, as well as to
pull down the stag in the American forest
1t was necessary to keep them in close confne-
ment, as, from their ferocious disposition, they
would not hesitate to devour a stranger who
might pass their kennel after nightfalI, should
the gates be unclosed The huntsmau always
presided at their meals, and it was only by the
vigorous use of the lash that any degree Of
law and order covld be preserved among these
savage animate. If the weather permitted,
there was a hunt three times a week. Break
fast was served on those mornings by candle
light. Washington, as usual, took nothing
but an Indian-cake and bowl of milk Be-
fore sunrise the whole caVacade would often
have left the house and unkenneled the fox
Washington was one of the most accomplished
cavaliers He rode with ease elegance. and
power he took no account of any vicious
propenstIes of his horse. The only quality
which he demanded Of horse was that he
should 60 along, and rdculed 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 tena-
cious grip with his knees that horse might
as easily throw off his saddle as such rider
His famous animal for the chase was horse
called BIueSkiG, Of dark iron gray color APP
preaching to blue. This was fine, but fiery
steed of great endurance in long run. The
huntsrnan Will, better known in Revolution
lore as Billy, rode q horse called Chinkng, a
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 al.
most 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 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, with
out 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 house, where, at the well spread board
and with the flowing glass, the incidents of
the field were discussed, while Washington,
never deviating from his orderly habits for the
sake of convivial pleasures, would, after few
glasses of Madeira, retire supperlesS to bed
at nine o'clock.
MANLINEsS.-The purpose of life is to form
o manly character, to get the best. development
of body and spirit-of mind, conscience, heart
and soul This is the end all elseis the means.
Accordingly, that is not the most successful
life in which man gets the most pleasure, the
most money or ease, the most power or place
honor or fame but that in which man gets
the most manhood, performs the greatest
amount of human duty, enjoys the greatest
amount of human right, and acquires the great
est amount of manly character 1t is no IN
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