Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-12

Gossip About George WashinetOn-
His House and Habits In PhiIa.
delphia.
From contribution to Hearth and Home, by
Grace Greenwood.
Awhile since, in looking over Phila-
delphia Directory for 1897, my heart gave
a great bound as came upon this entry:
Washington. George. 100 High street,"
To the disgrace of Philadelphia, that
house, second only in historic interest to
Independence Hall, was many years ago
demolished
But, for few charmed hours of mid
summer evening, that mansion has stood
again for me, and Washington has walked
before my eyes in his habit as he lived;"
and yet the only magic coDjuratien was
the clear memory of gracious old man,
who, in his early childhood, was neigh
Dor of Washington, his parents living, /
believe, on Sixth street, near High.
At the house of friend in Philsdel-
phia, was so fortunate as to meet Mr..
Robert E. Gray, man past fourscore,
but wonderfully we'll preserved--looking
much younger than his years-a gentle
man of the old school in courteousness
of manner, in elegance and neatness of
dress, stately in figure, with fresh and
handsome countenance. In person and
demeanor, he reminded me strongly of
Walter Savage Landor, as saw him in
his eighty-first year.
When | asked this noble relic of the
past for his recollections of Washington,
he said: BLESS you, have little to tell
l was 80 very young at the time when |
knew him, that | have only childish
recollections, mere trines, which will
scarcely interest you" On my assuring
him that these were just the things |
wanted to hear, he talked modestly, and
with much questioning, of the old days OF
Philadelphia, and of the great President
and his household.
In his childhood, he said, the place
where we then we're, on Tenth street near
Arch, with the roar of the great city
about us. was quite in the rural districts.
He remembered going to bathe in the
little pond, near the corner of Sixth and
Arch streets, secluded and shaded spot.
High street, the fashionable avenue, was
only paved as far up as Ninth, but it was
planted with rows of the Lombardy
poplar nearly out to the Schuylkill, and
was the fsvorite Sunday promenade of
the citizens.
Washington's house" said Mr.. Gray,
" was thought very fine mansion. II
was what was called a house and half,
that is, the hall was not in the middle,
but had two windows at the right, and
one window at the left. 1t was two
stories and half high, with dormsr
windows. 1t was rented for the Presi-
dent, of Robert Morris, but originally
to Galloway the Tory"
"Was Washington the stately and for
NAL parsonage he has been represented ?"
"Yes, he was very dignifed gentle-
man, with the most elegant manners
very nice in his dress, careful and punc-
tual. ] suppose he would be thought a
little stiff nowadays.
"Did you ever hear him laugh heart
"Was he always grave, as yon re-
member him, or did he smile now and
them 2"
"Why, bless you, yes, he always smiled
on children He was particularly popu-
lar with small boys. When he went in
state to Independence Hall. in his cream
colored chariot, drawn by six bays. and
with positions and out riders. and when
be set out for and returned from Mount
Veraon, we boys were on hand; be could
always count us in, to huzza and wave
Dur hats for him, and he used to touch
bis hat to US as politely as though we
had been so many veteran soldiers on
parade"
Were you ever in his house, as a
child ~
"Obl yes, after bis great dinners he
used to tell the steward to let in the lit
lie fellows, aud we, the boys of the i'm
mediate neighborhood, who were never
far off on such occasions, crowded about
he table and made quick work with the
remaining cakes, nuts, and raisins.
Washington had bad habit of pac-
ing up sBd iozn the large front room on
he first floor, in the early twilight, with
ais hands behind him; and one evening
} little boy, who had never seen him, in
attempting to climb up to an open win
low TO look 10 upon him, fell and hurt
himself. Washington beard him cry,
.ung for a servant, and seat him to in
,uirs about the sooident-,-for, after ell,
ie was very soft-hearted, at least toward
The servant came back and
aid: The boy was trying to get look
It you SIR Bring him in, said the
General, and, when the boy came in, he
,stied him on the head and said; You
vsnied 70 see General Washington, did
Iou2 Well, am General Washington.
Bot the little fellow shook his head and
aid: No, you are only just a man, ]
rant to see the President.
They say Washington laughed, and
old the boy that be was the President,
nd a man for all that Then be bad the
ervant give the little fellow some nuts
nd cakes and dismissed him"
/ asked Mr., Gray if be remembered
be Curtis chiiareH.
Yes" be said 81 often saw then at
be windows, or driving out with Mrs.
in her English coach.
They did not seem to have left very
ivid and hs@an Impression on his
lemory. With their tne clothes aud {
ompany manners, With their attendants, I
iioFs, dsneiDg aud music masters, they I