, 1886-12-26
HOW WASHINGTON ENTERTAINED.

HOW WASHINGTON ENTERTAINED.
Lecturing His steward on the Evils of
Extravagnncc-The First Shad.
Gen. Washington entertained very
freely before he became president, and
the milk of 100 cows was not enough 10
supply the butter used mt his Mount Yer
non home. He was more economical III
the management of his presidential table,
and George Washington Parke Gusts re-
lates how severely he lectured his steward
on the evils of extravaganza in looking
over his expense accounts. which he made
him present to him weekly. The steward
was II man by the name of Fraunces, who
loved Washington greatly, and who had
a high idea of the state he should main
tain. At the md of Zach weekly lecture
he would go off crying and promising
amendment, but at the same time he
would mutter: ..Wcll, he may discharge
me if he will, but while he is the presi-
dent and l am his steward his establish
ment shall be supplied with the best the
whole country can afford"
President Washington was n great lover
of fish. He always ate Goldfish on Satur-
day while he was the executive, to com
pliment New England, whose fishing in
dustry ut that time played Il much more
important part in its economy han it
does now. Certain New England ladies,
Of Philadelphia, who had a special way
of cooking Goldfish, were accustomed to
send him enough for his table on this day
of every week. They would wrap it up
in cloths as soon as il was taken from the
fire and hurry it off to the presidents
house. so that it arrived MS hot as though
from his own kitchen.
One February n large shad was caught
in the Delaware in advance of the season
and was brought to the market. Fraunces
saw it, and, regardless of cost, at once
seized upon it for the presidents table.
When it was brought into the dining
room Washington, noting its savory odor,
asked:
"What fish is that
IA shad!' replied Fraunces, excitedly,
"a very fine shad! | knew your excel
lency was ex~travagantly fond of this fish
and was so fortunate as to procure this
one in the markell solitary one, sir.
and the first of the season."
''The price, sir? The price? The
price, sir?'' demanded Washington.
sternly.
'.Three-tlrce-three dollars" STAN
mered the steward.
Take ii away. Take it away sir!''
said Washington. 1T shall never be
said that my table sets such an example
of luxury and Extravaganza
And so the SO fish vas taken from the
room, to be devoured by the servants.
President Washington's cook was IA
character of the time. He was Il handy
legged negro, named Hercules. who made
5000 a year out of his perquisites of the
slops of the presidents kitchen. Every
afternoon he would strut forth from the
front door, " says Mr.. Gusts, dressed as
e-xtravagantly as any dandy of the time,
and would take a promenade on the fash
ionable thoroughfare of colonial Phila-
delphia. He wore a blue coat with a
velvet collar, u pair of fancy knee breeches
and shoes with %extravagant silver buckles.
Thus attired, with "A cooked hat upon his
head and a gold headed cane in his hand.
lie strutted up and down among the beaux
and bellies until the stroke of the clock re
minded him that he must hurry off to the
kitchen and prepare the evening meal. ="
President Washington's dinners were
rather stiff affairs. But little extra prep
aration was made for transient guests.
An English traveller. who breakfasted with
Washington in 1874, during the latter
part of his second presidential term, says
the breakfast consisted of sliced tongue,
tea and coffee, dry toast and bread and
butter. The only expensive piece of fur
niture upon the table was a silver urn for
hot water. There was but one servant,
and Mrs. Washington made the tea and
coffee herself. Throughout his life
Washington ate but light breakfasts. and
in his old age this meal was made of In
dian cakes. honey and tea. He always
dressed for dinner, and dined about 3.
He ate heartily, but was very careful of
his diet. He always had wine ut dinner,
and drank at dessert four or five glasses
of Madeira. His only toast was. "All
our Friends He ate a light tea, but
no supper, and was usually in bed by 10
o'clock.-Frank G.. Carpenter in lippin-
cott's Magazine.