Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-02-02
Gen. and mrs. Washington,

Gen. and Mrs. Washington,
AS SEEN AND DESCRIBED BY MRS. JOHN MUIR.
RAY, WIFE OF 1.-THE FATHER OF UNIVERSAL
ISM IN AMERICA"
[E1tracs from letter written from New York In
About six o'clock we took a coach for the
Presidents. At the door of the great hall
we were met by a well ell-looking and more than
commonly well-dressed servant l, however,
recollected myself, and neither bowed nor
curtsied. Col Humphreys offered his hand
and ushered US into the drawing room. A
number of ladies were with Mrs Washing
ton, and her matron-like appearance and Ia.
dylike condescension dssipated every idea of
distance. Taking my hand, she seated me
by her side, and addressing herself particu-
larly to me, as the only stranger present, she
engaged me in the most familiar and agreea-
BILE conversation. She inquired respecting
my journey, if my acquaintance in New
York was extensive, and in what part Of the
city l lodged. She informed me that she had
the pleasure of being acquainted with my
brother, and she spoke of his late marriage,
and of the sudden death of his companion,
as events which had interested her feelings.
l cast my eyes round the room, and l read
also in the countenances of the ladies a kind
of pleasing respect. Mr.. Murray was engaged
with Col. Humphreys, who likewise regarded
me with hattering attention.
Thus were we disposed of when Gen.
Washington entered the drawing room. My
eyes had never before beheld him, but it was
not necessary that he should be announced
that diRnifed benignity, which is SO remark
able in his air, could not belong to any other
man. Mrs. Washington herself introduced
me. l arose, and with countenance that
bespoke not my heart if it was not impressed
with an anectionate respect aud the highest
degree of veneration and in the most marked
and expressive manner of which was capa-
BILE, performed my duteOus salutatons.
smile of kindness illumined the features of
the President He requested me to be seat
ed, and taking place by my side, proceeded
with peculiar ahability to question me rela-
tive to my health, to Philadelphia, to my
brother, etc, etc. TO descant OIL the virtues
of Gen. Washington, however exhaustless
the theme, frequently as they have been ex-
plated upon, and inadequate as / am to the
task, l shall not essay yet | SO far indulge
myself as to state that his figure is elegant
beyond the most l have seen his counte-
nance is good, and there is a kind of venera-
BILE gravity inscribed upon every feature.
Homer's Nestor, as I sat by his side, fire.
this know, that no Grecian dame could
have more admired the hoary sage, or held
him in higher estimation than my heart ac-
| knowledged for this uniform hero. His
dress was of purple satin, but his figure
needed not the aid of this regal dye to inspire
these sentiments which are commonly con-
sidered the tribute to royalty only. Majestic
aud commanding, his appearance must ever
insure the love and reverence of every un-
! L -
the President, the Vice President says "is
impossible. No painter will ever be able to
do him Justice, for that which he possesses
beyond any other man. the art of the lSmner,
or the language of the panegyrist however
glowing, can never reach 1t is grace in
every movement, q manner an address, an
inimitable expression, especially when the
sedate dignity of his features is gilded by a
serene smile in short, nameless something
in the tout ensemble which no skill can delin-
cate, no art can catch, and which, therefore,
no portraiture can ever transmit.
Mrs. Washingtons face is an index Of a
good heart and the virtues which l am told
she eminently possesses are impressed upon
! every feature. Need ! then add that her
countenance is prepossessing and charming?
In the course of two hours which we passed
| at the Presidents, various topics of conversa-
ton were introduced. Mrs. Washington was
condescendingly attentive to me. As a stran-
ger, l was constantly at her side. Address
ing me in a 10 y voice she spoke of her fam
| lily. She has been a happy mother, and has
had one son and one daughter by former
husband. They now, however, both sleep in
| the narrow house.
Mrs. Washington's grandson is about nine
| years old. We but just saw him. Her daugh.
ter is hardly eleven. She is fine, sprightly
! girl. The President and his lady both com
| planned that she was not sufficiently indus
| trous, and that she was much too viyacious (;
but she played to us at the first word, and her
performance evinced that she had her hours
of application. She is, am told, a child OF
very extraordinary capacity attention only be-
ing requisite to her acquiring attainments
deemed beyond her years.
MRS WASHINGTON RETURNS MRS. MUBRAY's
CALL.
Thursday very unex pectedly opened anoth-
er scene. | was sitting in my little apart
ment alone, and buried in thought Strange
that possessednot the smallest presentiment
of the distinction that awaited me but so it
was when loud rap at the door reused my
attention. l cast my eyes towards the pas
sage where a servant plentifuly adorned
with gold lace, etc, appeared, and inquired
for Mrs. Murray.
was on the point of answering that he
| hau the advantage OF tnRt lhdy, hs sue ulu not
remember meeting him before but fortunate
ly, on extending my views, gay equipage,
elegant beyond what l had ever imagined,
presented itself; and 1 was at home, you will
not doubt. Mrs. Washington and Mrs. Lear
were Immediately ushered in. If anything
could exceed my surprise it was the charming
freedom with which Mrs. Washington took a
seat. The unmeaning fopperies of ceremony
seemed to make no part of her character. In
born benevoence beams upon her counte-
nance it apparently points her address, die
tating to her lips the most agreeable expires.
sions One hour she condescendingly dovot-
ed to me, and so much of friendship did heI
salutations wear, SO interested and animated
was our conversation that bystander would
have lost all idea of the distance between US
and would hardly have supposed that We met
but for the second time Thus beniguly good
and thus adorned with social virtues, is ouI
lady Presidentess. l confess that in a way