Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-08-22
Gen. Grants Habits and Tastes.

The following is extracted from Dana's
"Life of Grant" Grants personal habits
and tast, are exceedingly simple. He de-
spises the pomp and show of empty parade,
and, in his severe simplicity and manly pride,
he scorDs all sdventitions aids to popularity.
He lives plainly himself, and cannot tolerate
ostentation or eXtravagaDce in those about
him. His mess was never luxuriously,
though always bountifully, furnished with
army rations, and such supplies as could be
transported readily and easily in the limited
number OF wagons that he permitted to
follow his headquarters. His appetites are
al under perfect control. He is very alb
stemious, and during his entire Western
campaign, the officers Of his staff we're FOR
hidden to bring wines or liquors into camp.
He has been represented rs one of the most
taciturn Of men, and in one respect he is
such. He never divulges his thoughts until
they are matured, and never aspires to
speech, making, and in private conversation
he falls into silence if he suspects that he is
likely to be reported.
He is the most modest Of men, and moth
ing annoys him more than loud parade of
personal opinion or personal vanity; but
with his intimate friends, either at home or
around the camp fire, he talks upon all sub
jects, not only fuently and copiously, but
in the most charming and good natured
manner. His life has been too busy to read
history or technical works, but he has always
been a close and careful reader of the news,
papers. lie has retentive memory, and is
deeply interested in all matters which con-
Germ the interests of humanity, and partic-
ularly his own country. Upon all such sub
jects, in fact, upon all the vital questions of
the day he thinks carefully and profoundly,
and expresses himself with great ease and
good sense His understanding is of that
incisive character that soon probes ques-
tion to the bottom, no matter how much the
politicians and newspapers may labor to
confuse it while his judgment is so delib-
crate, honest and truthful in its operations,
that it may be implicitly relied upon to
arrive at fair and unbiased conclusion.
His memory is stored with personal Incl
dents illustrative of men and manners in all
parts of the country, showing that he has
evidently been profound student OF human
nature throughout life; his appreciation OF
men and character has never been surpassed
THIS was we'll shown in the reorganization
of the army after he became Lieutenant
General. It 10 well known that he did moi
fail in single instance where change was
made IN putting the right man IN the rlgh'
place. This was due neither to chance mol
snap Judgment, but to his habit of careful
observation. He warns towards a bold
outspoken, and loyal nature full of aIdo
and zeal himself, he naturally sdmirs
these qualities in others. He has no patisnc'
with weak, complaining and selfish dis
position, and cannot endure double dealing
or indireotness of any sort. Straightforward
and frank in all things himself. he respects
thoss qualities wherever they are found
Indeed, the most striking peculiarly OF hit
nature, both a. Q man and General, is
profound and undoviating truthfulness II
all things. Those who have known hin
best will bear willing tsstimony to thu
statement that he never told fslseaoed, o.
made voluntary Misrepresentation of fact
and will believe US that 1t would be almos
"a impossible for him to do so a. for th'
needle to forget its fGelity to the pole.