New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-26


ton to tho Presidency Washington rode TO
fredericksburg to take leave Of lis mother ana
ask her blessing. She was then much eufeebled oy
a cancer, and size died four months afterward at
the age Of eighty-three. Madam Washington as
she was called was OF full height well proportloned
and robust Her features were strongly marked
and her manner to strangers was somewhat DIS
tant but she wore pleasant expression. her voice
was sweet, and her disposition was cheerful.
OF Washington's wife the "reminiscences are
ample and she has been a favorite parsonage IN
American history. In her mature years she had
great deal of the digniied and precise demeanor
which distinguished her mother-in-law. but she
was much the less oppressive presence of the two;
and in the sketches Which Mr.. Losing has col
lected covering the long stretch of years from the
marriage of the beautiful young widow Custis and
the stalwart provincial officer to the last scenes
at Mount Vernon, we have succession of society
pic ures in which she Is one OF the most attractive
figures. Washington was rich when he married.
and she brought him what was for those days the
considerable additional fortune of 100000. The
wedding took place January 8, 1859, at st. Peters
Church, near the Gusts mansion known as the
White House. on the Pamunkey River, when the
bride was twenty,seven years of age, three months
Younger than her husband. She wore white
satin Quilted pet:icoat and a heavy white corded
silk oyerskirt: high-heeled shoes of white satin
with diamond buckles; rich point-lace rufiies
pearl necklace earrings and bracelet; and pearl
ornaments in her hair After the ceremony the
bride and her three bridesmaids returned to the
White House in a coach drawn by SIX horses. with
black positions in livery while Colonel Washing
ton on a magnificent horse richly caparlsoned, rode
by her side with brilliant cortege of gentlemen.
Martha Washington at this time was very hand
some with a good hgure little below medium
height lair complexion. dark eyes. rich brown har'
regular features. and bright beamine expression.
She was sprlghtly, witty, Intelligent. moiest
winning IN her manners, pretty well euuca'eu iol
her time. and an expert performer Oh the spinet.
Both she ami her husband were fond OF amuse-
ments anu they used TO take brilliant part IN the
gaytties of Williamsburg during the sess ons OF the
Colonial Assembly. Mount Vernon became famous
for its refined and generous Inequalities AMI was
n resort for all the best people OF Virginia and
MARYLAND The taste OF its new mistress added 10
ITS elegance and its Injuries, while lavish display
was scrupuously avoided. While Mrs. Washing on
was n queen Of society," she was also notable
housewife: she managed the domestic aifalrs WIN
great care and greatly beloved by the Servants
and the poor and sick OF the nelgnboraood. L.
these dependent classes she gave ahectlonate
persoral attention. 1t was her custom 70 retire 10
her chamber Immediately after breakfast, ana
nrenare herself for the duties of the day by prayer
meditation. and reading OF the bible. This pracuce
she continued as long as she lived.
During the war Mon1t Vernon remained MIS-
WasbingtoD's home. although she was often Win
h, husband at the headquarters OF the army lie
sort for her to loin hlm at Cambridge during the
sege of Boston. She set ont from Nount vernon
ahout the middle of November, IN chariot drawn
hoy will N.
John Parke Custis aud his lovely wife and maid
servant At Pnila iephia they were received by
Washiucton's military secretary. Joseph Reed. and
Inv \ number of oeicers aud detachment OF troops.
There was SO much TOryism IN PhiIadeiphia that
worry few ladies' venfured TO call on MIS- "ashihe-
ton and wien it was proposed to give oaIi III nei
honor there were threats OF disturbing the enter
tajcment The pr0ect was abandoned III ~
dnrDg mis- Phil adcphia visit that we hrst near OF
the THO LADY Washington populary apple
to the Generals wife during the war ana WINE he
was President. The travellers avoided New torK
IN consequence of the rancor OF the LoyalSts there
crossed the HUDSON at the Kings Ferry NEAR
Uaverstrawl, and rea ehed Cam bridge on tie llth
~ Dexrmber Mrs Wasn.ngtOn's arrival wholly
unexpecfel In the camp. was cause OF general
a.touishment ana rejoicing. She was hal ell as "A
heroine and Ter PRESENCE had most fortunate
eject upon the troops. dispeihng encouragement
and stimulating rc-enlIstments There were many
other officers wives N camp. and soc!e'y az heal.
quarters the same house occupied 10 our IH4e o'
loupte,loyl became very pleasant. one VI Mrs
va ,hlngfon's particular friends VAS the accom-
pilshei wife OF CO.Onel atterward General Knox
Another with whom she formed an intimacy AZ
Cambridge was Mrs. Mercy Warren, sister OF James
| Otis and historian OF the Revolution. , .
During the terrible winter al alley Forge MIS-
Washington was again with her husband. riding
behind him piliion to tue camp, and nndlhg
shelter ID a small house belonging TO quaker
.Df fnn n
tent until the troops were hutted and then moved
into the house. An old lady who lived III tne
neignborhood at that time Said 10 Sl. LossIh
| woman so busy from early morning until late al
night as was Lady Washington providing comforts
Tor the sick 50 diers. Every day. excepting
sundays. the wives of officers in camp, and some
| times other women were invited TO Mr.. Pottss 10
| assist her NJ knitting socks patching garments
| and making shirts tor the poor soldiers when
| materials could be procured Every tar day she
| might be seen, with basket In hand ana w'th
sug e attendant. going among the nuts SEEKING tht
| seenest and most Deedy sufferers. ana giving al
| the comfort TO them In her power sometimes
went with her, for | wa, stout girl sixteen years
| old On Que occasion Sue went 10 the nut OF
| diving sergeant whose young vile WAS Win uim
Ills case seemed part cuar.y To touch tle AeaT' VI
the good lady, and after she had gwen INN some
who esome foOd she bad prepared with her owl
| hands she klelt down by his straw pallet ant
prayed earnestly lor uim and his wife with he
sweet and so crnu voice" Lady Washing on's late
camp experiences were less painful AT Morris
town at New Win lsOr. aud especially at Newburg
sue had her part n many pleasant ehter,a'n men :
| As the PROSPECTS, of the patrots frightened: lh
French officers often eDiIvened the society OF he al
| quarters. and MANY OF them wrote of the wiie
| inc Command r-ln Chief with enthusiastic hd'nrs
ton. go,
The return of the iustrous pair 10 private life n
| Monnt Vernon, after Washington had resigned III
| cpmmissiou was the occasion )f a great demcustra
| ton OF attachment oy their friends and servants
| People came from distance 70 welcome then
home. aud one of the guests Miss Lewis, o
| Frelrrcksburg wIote thus TO friend mus
tell YOU what charming day | spent at MOun
| Vernon with Mama and Sally. The Gem an
| a racket the Sery ants made for they were glad u
their comIng Three handsome young Uiilcer
came with them. All Christmas afternoon psopl
| came to pay their Respects and Duty. Among then
we're stately Danes and gay young Women. III
Gen seemed very happy, and Mistress Washingto
WAS busy from Day brake making everytnIns a
agreeable as possible for Everybody" Wien Slr;
Washington travelled from Mount Neroon TO New
York TO ION her hus5and after MS inauguration a