Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-06-07
Republican simplicity.

aEuhOH WAsWfNnIUN ANu O.. s. GRANT Az uOME.
What was the old republican simplicity
when you get TO it ? | suppose this socially
corrupt Washington, which so needs refor-
nation, may safely stand by the example
Of the man who gave it his name. With
what republican simplicity did he dress and
live From the private memoirs by his
adopted son aud granddaughter we learn
that a single servant combed and tied his
hair in the prevailing fashion, which was to
let it grow long, powder it with a puff ball
made of cotton yarn--which, with the pow
der, was carried in a dressed buckskin pouch
and tie it up in long bunch with rib
bon behind. ! believe that General Grant
gets his hair combed with more republican
simplicity. Washington's everyday dress
when riding about the farm was plain drab,
but when President his style and equpage
"corresponded with the dignity of his ex-
ated station" His ordinary dinner dress
was suit of black, his hair powdered and
tied in black queue, and a very elegant
dress sword. Who ever saw President Grant
carving his roast beef with an elegant dress
sword? When he addressed the Hall of
Congress in Philadelphia he was dressed in
a full suit Of the richest black velvet with
diamond knee buckles and square silver
uAthlfN HfN ulfNl Ntltt0 INltNifu NlAu Nilt
most scrupulous neatuess, black silk stock
ings, his shirt ruilled at the breast and
wrists, light dress sword, his hair profusely
powdered, fully dressed so as TO project at
the Sides and gathered behind in a silk bag
omamcnted with large rose of black ribbon.
His cooked hat had large cockade on one
side of it,. When President Grant delivered
his last inaugural bareheaded, in the bitter
cold aud savage wind, he was not only de-
nuded of diamonds, velvet, ruflles and buckles,
but he had not so much as a silk bag about
his frozen ears Washngton's carriage was
of light cream color painted on the panels
with beautiful groups by Cipriani repre-
senting the four seasons. lie was preceded
by two gentlemen with long white wands,
who kept back the crowd. His stables at
Mount Vernon were furnished with thorough
bred horses When he appeared on horse
back IL was always with fine equipments,
accompanied by his servant. For Mrs
Washington he kept a chariot aud four
horses, with black postillions in livery
The following order, sent TO his London
agent, for out-of-door cquipage, savors of
republican simplicity which would cause n
stare in these latter days Mans riding
saddle, large plated stirrups and everything
complete; a very neat fashionable O New
market saddle-cloth; large and best @
portmanteau, saddle, bride and pillion cloak
bag, slucingle, checked saddle-cloth a rid
ing-frock of handsome O drab-colored broad
cloth, with plain double gilt O buttons a
riding waistcoat and superfine scarlet cloth
and gold lace, with buttons like those Of the
coat blue surtout-coat; a neat @ switch
whip, silyercap black velvet cap forseryant."
lie was very fond Of horses and his eqpui-
ages were always of a superior order. lie
kept q register of both horses and hounds,
and in hunting was always superbly mounted
and wore a blue coat scarlet waistcoat, buck
skin breeches, top boots and velvet cap.
His pack of hounds was very numerous and
select, and he used TO hunt three times
week. When he broke up his kennel he
formed deer park Of hundred acres. For
breakfast the custom of his time and soci-
ETY. was tea and coffee roast fowl, ham. ven
ison, game, and other dainties. Never was
there a more generous hospitality than his.
House and apartments and servants were at
the disposal of the guest. At dinner the
center of the table contained five or six large
silver or plated walters, those at the end
oval on one side TO correspond with the shape
of the table. The walters were filled with
NEUROLOGICAL alabaster figures. On the out
side Of the oval formed by the walters were
the dishes. He had silver mug of beer by
his plate, and he drank several glasses OF
Madeira wine. His wines were always the
best that could be obtained, and nothing
could exceed Che order with which the table
was served. Every servant knew what he
was to do, and did it in the most quiet and
rapid manner The dishes and plates were
removed and changed with a silence and
| speed that seemed like enchantment. The