The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-16
GEORGE AND MARTHA.
Personal Habits of the Parents of Their
Country.

character OF Washington and his con-
Probably no person in the
country has rendered more assistance to
the Centennial committee in their prepar-
atoms for the forthcoming celebration
than she. Mrs. Lamb has studied the
history OF George and Martha, not the
idealized man and woman, but the people
of flesh and blood-the man who liked his
bitters in the morning and the woman
who mended and darned and kept close
eye on the children.
was sitting in Mrs. Lambs office the
other day, chatting about the coming
Centennial Celebration, when she touched
on the topic.
''There has been SO much fiction about
George Washington that II would be In
teresting to know just how much OF flesh
and blood man he was" began. what
sort OF man was hep
ut is not possible for Washington to be
30 idealized as to lose sight oil the man.
He was OF well-rounded character, and by
no means illiterate, although his education
was obtained in the usual way at that
time. He is known to have had q good
tutor, and he was reared in home
where the absence OF moral ana
religious training would have been es-
teemed disgrace. He stepped into pub
lie life absolutely free from and untram-
meled by troublesome and deteriorating
habits. His breeding was that OF gentle
man. He was never sent TO any collegiate
institution, as some OF the Virginians were,
but he made use OF his many opportuni-
ties, and became well informed on n great
variety OF important subjects while yet
mere boy. His mother was u wo-
man Of wide reading, and great
breadth and strength OF charge. His
brother Lawrence was traveller
to many parts OF the world. In
his early life he was exceedingly active and
very much in the open air. The GRANTEES
and responsibilities OF his career took pos
session OF him early. In field sports, in
skilled horsemanship, in surveying, with
its attendant fatigue, exposure and ex-
pedients, in the use OF the rifle and in the
care Of u rural domain, all his facilities and
his manly qualities, both physical and
mental, were evenly developed. lie had the
best trimming possible for military life in a
new country. In his intercourse with the
British officers that came over, and with
the old Nirginian families who were peo-
pie OF culture, he became much more
thoroughly educated than he has ever had
the credit OF being"
"Is the estimate OF history in dealing
with Washington a correct oncY'
"llislory, in the main, has dealt very
fairly with him. II would hardly lie pos
sible 10 over-estimatc his greatness His
military abilities are best known by their
results"
"what Of washington's peronal habits,
Mrs. Lamb?'
"As to his personal habits, he was O
very early riser all his life; he was very
methodical and extremely industrious,
never allowing q moment TO be wasted,
and yet lac never seemed 10 be in n hurry.
| lie was regular attendant nj church, 90.
ing once day, in the morning. He was
very fond OF horses and OF exercise in the
open air, aud during the time he
resided in New York rs the first
President OF the United States, he
/ went out two or three times a day-in the
morning and afternoon. Sometimes he
drove in the post-chaise with Mrs
| Washington, and sometimes in the chariot
as he tells us himself aud sometimes on
horseback, and lac walked around the Bat
terry almost daily. When he drove, hi,
favOrite route was the fouftcen-mil,
round which took him over the oil
Bloomington road that came out in view
VI the Hudson very near where Granti
tomb Is now, and then in returning h,
came down over the central part Of thu
island and via the old Boston post road
lie Is represented rs being very atiablI
and easily approached by those who knew
him best, but his manners were stately"
among the many stories told OF Wash
ingion Is one that lao was illitcrate."
Ellis voluminous correspondence show
that he was not an illitomte man. II,
writes equally well us any oil the educate,
men OF that day"
"Can you describe Martha Washing
ton2'
"Mrs. Washington was about the sam
age ~ her husband, although she seemed
older by reason Of the dress prescribed b,
the fashion at that date for ladies owe
fifty. She always obcyed the cdicis O
fashion. Size was regarded with grea
interest because OF her hcroism in tn
Revolution, when she travelled ON horse
hack In all weathcrs 10 visit her HUSBAND
ut headquarters She became, on thi
! account very much endeared 20 the sol
dicrs Of the country. She was well in
formed on general topics without an
| special culture. she was oDacrNant AM
J critical, easy and self possessed. She neyo
expressed her opinions upon public qnes
lions. nor permitted political discussion
In her presence. She was slatucsqul
and dignihcd, but does not seem 4
have had any particular yivaciiy or hu
NOR. She was philanthropic in be
character. always courteous. aud converse
we'll. She was evidently fond OF dress Il
her younger days, and while she lived Il
New York ~ the vito OF tho President, sh
might be said TO have been the leader {
society. Among other society leaders !
New York ut the time she resided her
were Mrs JAY, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Hamil,o
: and Mrs. Landon, also Lady Kirby an
several others
} aaaHaasa aaaaa=a=====s
The area Of the Dominion OF Canada
given nj 100000 square miles. That {
I the United states, including Alaska,
3,002, 700. But tic iillabe land OF th
. Dominion Is estimated 10y British author
ity 10 be 100000 square miles, while tbs
, OF tho United States is nearly 3,OO0,0OO
Al Canada above tho sixiieth parallel
cold and barren.
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The custom OF roughly preparing N
a l.. 4. II. A