Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-28
General w ashington.

The Oracie, published In 1891, writes
thus, as to the personal habits of General
Washington: "He is very regular, tenn
perate and industrious; rises in winter and
summer al the dawn of day; generally reads
or writes some time before breakfast:
breakfasts about seven o'clock on three
small Indian hoe cakes, and as many dishes
of tea, and often rides Immediately to his
different farms, and remains with his
laborers until little after 2 o'clock, then
returns and dresses. At o'clock he dimes,
commonly on single dish, and drinks from
half pint TO pint of Madeari wine. This,
with one small glass of punch, a draught
of beer and two dishes of tea (Which he
takes half an hour before the setting of the
SUM constitutes his whole sustenance until
the next day. But his table is always fur
nished with elegance and eXuberance: and
whether he has company or not he remains
at the table an hour in familiar conversation,
then every one is called upon to give some
absent friend a toast. After he has dlned,
he applies himself to business, and about 9
o'clock retires to res; but when he has
company he attends politely upon them till
they wish to withdraw
But it is of interest to observe the impress
sion Washington made upon another class
For this purpose let us take the description
of one who evidently knew him well, and
understood exactly how he ranked in the
estimation of those best qualified to Judge
of his character and worth. This description
perhaps contains one statement that may
strike some as new, yet more than one
prominent biographer has prepared us for it
in saying that i'll his youth Washington had
the smallpox. Upon the whole, it will not
appear much newer than the fact brought
out upon the last 22d of February as very
new, namely, that throughout the revolu-
tion he served his country without pay, an
astounding fact in the eyes of Office holders
and politicians. The writer in The PhiLd-
detphiG Monthly of June, 1898, speaks as
follows: General Washington is a tall,
well-made man, rather large boned, and
has tolerably genteel address. His feat
ures are manly and bold, his eyes of BLUSH
cast and very lively; his hair of a deep
brown; his face rather long and marked
with the smallpox; his complexion SUM-
burnt and without much color, and his
| continuance sensible, composed and thought
| full; there is a remarkable air of dignity
about him, with a striking degree of grace
fulness. He has an excellent understand
ing without much quickness; as strictly Just
vigilant and generous; an affectionate hus
band, faithful friend, father to the de-
serving; gentle in his manners, in temper
rather reserved; total stranger to religious
prejudices; in his morals irreproachable; he
was never known to exceed the bounds of
most rigid temperanCe-in word, all his
| friends and acquaintances universally allow
that no man ever united in his own person
a more perfect alliance of the virtues of a
philosopher with the talent of a statesman
and general. Candor, sincerity, affability
and simplicity seem to be the striking feat
ures of his character
In opening the old magazine in which
the foregoing sketch is preserved, the read
er feels well nigh like one who comes upon
some forgotten album, and finds the photo
graph of an old and familiar friend. Wash
ington here appears, not in cloud of in
cense, not as deml-god, and yet not as a
common man. Here we have, in fact, very
nearly the traditional or, it might be said,
the 'Immortal Washington" of the average
appreciative American. The vindication OF
Washington, therefore, would consist SIM
ply in presenting the man as he was.
The brief sketch quoted furnishes many
a topic upon which it would be pleasant tC
ldwell The statement that Washington was