Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-06-08
George Washington and u. S. Grant
at Home.

What was the old republican sim
pliclty when you get to it? | sup
pose this socially corrupt Washing
ton, which so needs reformation, 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 and
granddaughter we learn that single
servant combed and tied his hair in
the prevailing fashion, which was to
let it grow long, powder it with a
puff bali made OF cotton yarn which,
with the powder, was carried in a
dressed buckskin pouch-and tie il
up in long bunch with ribbon, be-
h!nd. | believe that General Grant
gets his hair combed with more re-
publican simplicity. Washington's
every day dress when riding about
the farm was plain drab, but when
president his style and equipage "cor-
responded with the dignity OF his ex-
allied station His ordinary dinner
dress was a suit of black, his hair
powdered aud tied in black queue,
and very elegant dress sword
Who ever saw President Grant carv-
ing his roast beef with an elegant
dress sword When he addressed
the hall of congress in Philadelphia
he vas dressed IN a full suit OF the
richest black velvet, with diamond
kn e-buCkles, and square silver buck
les set upon shoes japanned with the
most scrupulous neatness, black silk
stockings, his shirt ruffied 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 silk bag or
namented with large rose of black
riband. His cooked hat had large
cockade on one side of 1t. When
President Grant delivered his last in
augural, bare headed, in the bitter
cold and savage wind, he was not
only denuded of diamonds, velvet,
ruffles aud buckles, bat he had not so
much as silk bag about his frozen
earsl Washington's carriage was of
q light cream color, painted on the
panels with beautiful groups by Gil
priani representing the four seasons.
He was preceded oy two gentlemen
with long white wands who kept
back the crowd. His stables at
Mount Vernon were furnished With
thoroughbred horses. When be APP
peared on horseback it was always
with fne equipments, accompanied
by his servant. For Mrs. Washington
be kept chariot and four horses,
with black Positions in livery. The
following order, sent to his London
agent for ou.-of.door equipage, aavors
OF republican simplicity which would
cause stare in these later days:
Mans riding saddle, large plated stirfups,
and everything compete.
A very neat and fashionable @ Fewmarket
saddle cloth.
A large and best q portmanteau, saddle,
bride and pillion.
Cloak-bag surcngle; checked saddle-cloth
A riding frock of handsome(l) drab colored
broadcloth, with plain double gilt Cd buttons.
riding waisteoat of superfne scarlet cloth
and gold lace, with buttons like those of the
coat.
A blue surtout coat.
A neat switch whip, silver cap.
Black velvet cap for servant.
He was very fond of horses, and
his equipages were always of supe-
rior order. He kept register of
both horses and hounds, and in hunt
ing was always superbiy mounted,
wore blue coat, scarlet waistcoat,
buckskin brooches, top boots and vel
vet cap His pack of hounds were
very numerous and select. and he
ased TO hant three times a week
When he broke up his kennel he
formed a deer park OF hundred
acres. For brea fas., the custom of