The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-01-08
Misfellauenns.
A LoYE sToRr OF GEORGE WASH
'INGTON.

gave the hero Of Naseby to English histo-
ry, and In the last century was associated,
In the person of the sixth Lord Fairfax,
with the early life of George Washington,
to examine collection Of letters with
dates ranging from 1896 to 100. There
had been publication In England (Bcnt-
ley, London, lSiS,) of Fairfax correspon-
dence, being the contents of an old oaken
chest sold as rubbish of Leeds Castle In
1922, and upon examination of his Virgin
ia treasure.trovc, Mr.. Neill was gratlilcd
to find that the letters were an Interesting
supplement to the series which had been
edited and published in England. AS the
dates progressed, the correspondence be-
came more and more American. or rather
Virginian, until their chief interest relates
to the young surveyor Of the Fairfax es-
tate In the Shenandoah valley.
Joel Munsell, of Albany, assumed the
publication of the letters, as edited and
annotated by Mr.. Ncill. They constitute
a very attractive volume Of 232 octave
pages.
We have no space for the many refer
cnces to business, local politics, or the
western campaign under Braddock, which
we find scattered through this publication
lin connection with Washington, aud
which have. become familiar to- the read.
ers Of Sparks and Irving; but Mr.. Nell
brings light n pleasant episode--nothing
less than love letter of the young yir-
ginian, and the editors industry helps us
to the appreciation of its full Significance
The Fairfaxes had wealth, title, dis
tinguishcd ancestry-accessories nowhere
held in greater estimation than In the Old
Dominion. George William Fairfax had
married a Cary, and at his residence Young
Washington met younger sister, Miss
Mary Cary. Bishop Meade, in the History
of Old Churches In Virginia, says that
Washington asked permission Of old Mr..
Cary to. address the daughter before heI
ventured to speak to herself. The reply
of the old gentleman was, "If that Is yope''
4 business here, sir, wish yoa-to leave the
house, for my daughter has been accus-
toned to ride In her COACH" The Bishop
speaks of rejection by the young lady
but there Is evidence that the somewhat
insolent rebuff of wealthy colonial aris-
tocrat was the real obstacle to u success
full suit. In 1867, when Washington. with
the rank of Colonel, was absent upon the
expedition against the French post of Dr.
auesne, since Pittsburg, we find him adj
dressing a letter to Miss Mary Cary, which
Edward Everett has Incorporated In his
article in Appleton's eyclopedi~ on WASH
|ington, but erroneously supposed by him
TO be addressed to Martha Curtis, whom
he afterwards married. Mr.. NELL has es-
tabllshed that the letter was written to tho
lady whom he calls "the first love OF
Washington" Mary Cary. Itcommenced
thus:
DEAR MADAM-Do we still mlsunder-
stand the true meaning OF each Others
letters? think It must appear so, though
| would fain hope the contrary, rs can
not speak palmer Without, but I'll
say no more, and leave you to guess the
rest"
Then followed the general news of the
campaign, given with much detail, and
including the particulars of disastrous
repulse of Major Grant OH the 10Th Of
September, 1853. The letter then resumes
its personal interest:
Il should think our times more agreea-
bly, spent, believe me, In playing a part In
Cato with the company you mention,
and myself doubly happy IN being the Jubd to
such a Marcia as you must make 49,.
We place sentence In Italics which
might pass unoticed by the reader, except
for the research of Mr.. Neill. At this
point the editor appends the following
note
Addson's tragedy of Cato must have
been full of interest TO the young military
officer In love with fair maiden, and yea
debarred from being her husband because
her father looked upon him as without
fortune and without fame.
Many passages in the play are exceed
appropriate to one in his position,
but only few can be given: ~
Arl.- scsrS.
Jrr,-o Marcia, ict me hope thy kind concerns
AM gentle wishes lo,low me & 70 1ssu hssh' hail 49,,
| tent p'"' "''' '"''
The friends.of Rome, the glorious cause ofvitue,
| And men approved q the gods and Cato. i
JrsI-rh.o viHaea' maid In aa''en 20 my i,cops
And In the shack os charging Aosss remember -.
That rIoriou, deeds should grace the man who hopes
for Marcias love.
ACT Nv. scrxs1. -
| MiRaA-laha b all the bravery c hero
Adds sonest love and than female sweetness, -