Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-12-20
NO. 49,.

Dr. sI,esnm, parSna o( the parish, attended in
fall canonicals and the pair advanced follnwcd
10y bev,y Of beauties and groomsmen. WASH
inston was clad in suit Of bae-ani-s!vcr,
lined with rel silk his waistcoat WAS enbri
dercl his knee aud shoe buckles were Of gold;
his hair was powdered aud he wore a dress
sword. The bride was dressed in white satin,
with rich poutcd-hce ufllcs; had pearl orna-
mcn,s in her hair; pearl necklace, earrings.
and bracelets; white satin shoes, with high
heels and diamond buckles; and was followed.
as has been said, 10y an array Of beautiful and
richly dressed girls, leaning upon the arms Of
sroomsmcn, in costume as imposing. The vice.
regal Governor Of Virginia, ina suit Of scarlet,
embroidered with gold, with huge bag-wig and
dress-swori, was seen in the midst Of num-
bcr of officers Of the English army and navy
and a grca, crowd Of what were then called
.'the gentry "-fricnds aad relations Of the
bride and groom-flci tie church, all intent
upon the interesting ceremony One person.
age has been forgotten Bishop. the old body
servant. lie, too was present. With foldcl
arms, and much emotion on his aged face, ho
gazcd at the ceremony with the rest.
1t soon ended, and the brilliant crowd flowed
forth from the old church. Tradition relates
that the bride aud as many of her fair atten-
dants as could DO so entered the great chariot,
which rolled of, drawn by IFS six spirited
horses while the bridegroom, fcnder Of horse
back, mounted the splendid English charger
bequeathcd to him by Braddock, and cantcrcd
after tie coach, attended by number Of gal
liant youths.
Such was that picturesque scene in the life
of the " Father Of his Country We see SO
much of the great soldier, statesman, aud ruler,
that it is pleasant to catch glimpse Of the
lover and bridegroom. Why not? One phase
of the indiyidlal-thc pubic and Official
phase-prescnts only the profile to obtain
the full likeness, tho other phase must be de-
liueatcd, too. The unreasonable theory has
been to regard George Washington as an ab-
straction Of patriotism and virtue, when ho
was man like other men, with strong pas
sions ard human sympathies aud infrmiiies.
The result has been that he has failed in
measure to impress The heart. Men admire,
but are chilled by him-by that grand bronze
statue under which a heart never beat. Such
an idea is a flllacy. Few human beings have
ever felt more deeply than Washington He
loved warmly, aud, if he did not hate bitterly,
it was because his moral nature royolted from
hatred, the sister Of Injustice, and hisimmensc
Self-control enabled him 10 rule himself.
But this moral discourse is apart from the
aim of the little sketch here pcsented. If that
sketch he wilhou. historic Importance it
may claim, perhaps, the merit Of being charac-
teristic The contrast at least is something
Few men are left of that mans mould, and
cur weddings to-day are prosaic. Blue and
silver coat, with red silk lining, are not the
fashion. Six-horse chariots have disappeared
All that brilliant life Of the past has faded into
the unpicturesque nineteenth century, aud the
p,elry, splcndor, and romance, have all turned
to prose.
But the great oaks and old church, lost in
tue wilds of New Kent, are still there. Be-
meath the trees flashed that brilliant cortege cf
old days--in that building George Washing
ton placed the ring on the finger Of bis bride.
All has passed away now tie stately and
beautiful figures have long lain down in their
tombs, but the stubborn trunks, with their
ancient inscriptions, remain 30 recall the life
Of the past-Ffom Appleion's Journal.