Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-03-11

celebration of Washingtons birthday
in New York Feb I'D, the following in
teresting description of the person and
character of Gen. Washington, written
by an American in 1893, and published
in London paper of the year named,
was read:
Gen. Washington is now in the forty
seventh year of his age He is a tall,
well-made man, rather large-boned, and
has a tolerable genteel address. His
features are manly and bold; his eyes of
blush cast, and very lively; his hair
deep brown; his face rather long, and
marked with the smallpox his COM
plexion sunburnt, and without much
color; his countenance sensible, COM
posed and thoughtful. There is a re-
markable air of dignity about him, with
a striking degree of gracef1lness. He
has an excellent understanding, without
much quickness; is strictly just, vigi-
liant and generous an afectionate hus-
band, a faithful friend, father to the
deserving soldier, a gentleman in his
manners, in temper rather reserved, and
total stranger to religious prejudices,
which have so often excited Christians
of one denomination TO cut the threats of
those of another In his morals he is
irreproachable, and he was never known
to exceed the bounds of the most rigid
temperance. In word, all his friends
and acquaintance allow that no man
can centre in his own person more per-
feet alliance of the virtues of philoso-
pher with the talents of General. Can
dor, sincerity, afability and simplicity
seem to be the striking features of his
character, till an occasion offers of dis
playing the most determined bravery and
independence of spirit. AS he always
refused to accept of any pecuniary APP,
pointment (O for his public services, no
salary has been annexed by Congress to
his important command, and he only
draws weekly for the expenses of his
public table and other necessary de-
mands. Gen. Washington, having new
er been in Europe, could not possibly
have seen much military service when
the armies of Britain were sent to sub
due as; yet STILL for variety of rea-
sons, he was by much the most proper
man on this continent, and probably
anywhere else, to be placed at the head
of an American army. The very high
estimation he stood in for integrity and
honor, his engaging in the cause of his
country from sentiment and conviction
of her wrongs, his moderation in poll
tics, his extensive property. and his ap-
proved abilities as commander were
motives which necessarily obliged the
choice of America to fall upon him.
That nature had given him extraordina.
ry military talents will hardly be con
troverted by his most bitter enemies
and, having been early actuated with {
warm passion to serve his country in the
military line, he has greatly improved
them by unwearied industry and Close
application to the best writer's upon tao
tics. and by a more than common meth
cd and exactness; and, in reality, whel
it comes to be considered that at first b,
only headed body of men entirely un
acquainted with military disciple or OPP
erations, somewhat ungovernable in tenn
per, and who at best could only be stylet
an alert and good militia, acting unde
very short enlistments, unclothed an,
at all times very ill-supplied with am
munition and artillery, and that wit
this army he withstood the ravage ant
progress of near 10000 veteran troops
plentifully supplied with every necessa
: ry article, commanded by the bravest Of
fcers in Europe, and supported by a yer
powerful navy, which effectually pre-
vented all movements by water; wher
l say, all this comes to be impartial
considered, | think | may venture t
pronounce that General Washington wi
be regarded by mankind as one of tn
greatest military ornaments of the pres
ent age, and that his name will con
mand the veneration of the latest POI
terity."