Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1886-02-25

them honor For fifteen successive years
Washington was a member of the legislature
of his state His wife always accompanied
him to Williamsburg, then the capital of
Virginia And SO, treading on flowers time
slipped away noiselessly for these happy peo-
pie Then came a time at last when for
eight years the boom OF cannon and the roar
OF musketl ) shook every home in the land.
The happy family at Mt. Vernon suffered
disruption with the rest, for its head was
the leader of the old Continentals, who fall
tered not
Every year in October Mrs Washington,
loaded with supplies, visited her usband in
camp and spent the winter with him. Each
year she hoped would end the and con-
clude his long absence AT last, when peace
vas declared and the country for which the
fathers fought became really their own,
Washington was once more called from his
home to assume the presidential chair, which
he filed conscientiously for eight years. and
then refused a third nomination
The seat of government was then In New
York The presidents house was elegantly
furnished, and almost formally conducted
as tho home of a king. Mrs. Washington
was aristocrat by nature, and, in accord
ance with the custom of the times con-
Quoted her receptions after the manner of
English and French drawing rooms. The
Republican court, then located at No. 3
Franklin square, New York, called together
the most elegant and estimable of the
country. Very different from the present
method of receiving the public were those
receptions. The most rigid rules governed
them, and access was not easy. Dress, too,
was consideration. Certain requirements
in that particular must be observed.
The second year of Washington admin
istration the seat of government re-
moved TO Philadelphia, where the same
nIc va6 in, fhn ont
of the presidents household at New York.
The house chosen was on Market street, be-
tween Fifth and Sixth, The south side,
and it was handsomely furnished. No house
was provided for the president by the gov
ernment then, now. The first president
rented and furnished his own
Mrs Washington held her receptions, or
drawing rooms, as they were called, on Fri
day evening of each week. The guests
assembled early, and left before 1880
These occasions said to have been ex
ceedingly stiff, solemn and awkward The
atmosphere of awful dignity that radiated
from the great Washin gton rather over
| powered the guests. 1t was honor to be
| admitted Tut it was also fearful trial to
| any addicted to naturalness OF manner OF
Euoyancy of spirits
The lady of the mansion sat at the head
| of the room, and the guests were placed in 6
circle around which the president passed
| speaking tremendously to each one. There
| is nothing to tell US what Mrs. Washington
| wore on these occasions, or how she looked
| The society reporter had not then been in
| vented, as it was the age of bronze moi
tinsel We know, however, that the presi
| dent powdered his hair and never offered
his hand to any of his guests, and that he
| wore the old Continental uniform.
| At this time Mrs. Washington was So year.
| old, as was the general, both having beer
| born in the same year. Mrs. WashiDgtons
| children Martha and John Parke Custis
| were cherished and guided by Washington
| as tenderly as if they had been his own
! Both died after reaching maturity. Ths
! son, who was a colonel in Washington
| army, was married, and left a widow ano
four children. Washington adopted two o
| the children at once, and reared them will
the most conscientious care.