Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-09
GEN. AND MRS. WASHINGTON.
Interesting Recoliections OF a Woman
VINO Knew Them in Her Youth.

Aneeresune tSecoftectfons OF a Woman
VINO Knew Them Ina Her Youth.
An interesting view Of the private life ana
personal characteristics Of Gen. and Mrs. WASH
inston is contained in q letter printed I'm the
New York Tribune Of SUNDAY. The letter WINS
written in 1864 by Mrs. John NJ Bowers 20 Mrs
Edward Clarke, and is made public through
the courtesy of Mrs II. J. Bower. OF Coopers-
town, n. Y, and yice-President Morton. The
letter is as follows:
NY earliest recollection of Gen. Westminster
was in the spring of 1881. when a guest Of NV
mother at Hackettstown, y. J. Although but
three years Of age at that time. distinctly
remember the grand appearance Of that
great and good man. The brillsscy Of HIS
epaulettes, and his peculiarly cooked hat
and plume. made an impression ON INV infant
mind never to be effaced. August and digni-
ned as he was, however, he could condescend
TO amuse children. During interval Of a
few minutes absence of my mother from the
parlor, the general placed me on his knee.
ana trotung me merrily thereon. sang the fol-
lowing ludicrous lines
There was an old. old man, and an old. old woman.
Sps.e iva alike from wind and nom weather
repeating the last line several times for A cho-
rus. When my mother returned 20 the parlor
the general alluded 10 what had occurred in
her absence. saying: The little Jade wished
70 know how the old people escaped from the
bottle, and before had time TO reply to her
question she had anticipated me by saving: Il
guess, general they knocked III the neck"
We're any proof wanting 10 illustrate the
reverence inspired by the dignity and superior
Ky OF the presence OF the general I might cite
an anecdote of a Mrs. Graffe-an ignorant
woman, foreigner by birth, an inveterate
tory, who resided near my mother She had
been accustomed since the commencement of
the war to speak Of George Washington as
George. the rebel, !" until at length curiosity
predominating over prejudice. induced her 10
catch a glimpse Of HIM as he passed through
our hall, when she burst into tears and ev-
claimed, involuntarily: "Elealeh, Elealeh,"
meaning Godlike, and from that instant became
a confirmed whig.
When nv mother resided at the Union. i'm
Hunterdon county. n. J., Mrs Washington was
her guest two nights and a day while on her
way from New Windsor TO Philadelphia She
came In her chariot, attended by Col Washing
ton "a nephew of the generaD and two servants
(colored)-a coachmsn and waiting-mAid Nv
mother was greatly pleased with the affability
and simplicity of the manners of Mrs. WASH
ington, from whom she learned much of the
economy and good management of the Virginia
housewives. To show her own idea of economy
Mrs. Washington remarked that in view Of the
high price OF the goods at that time she had
raveled some old and almost worn-out crimson
SATIN damask chair-coyers which had descend
and spun. and by the addition of cotton yarn.
woven with a narrow stripe of silk and a WIDE
one of cotton alternately. Out of this fabric she
had two morning dresses for herself. one of
which she exhibited to mamma, who thought
1t quite pretty.
In the year 1876, when myself on a visit 70
Philadelphia, was presented TO Mrs. Washing
ton at her drawing-room by Mrs. Jasper Nov
Ian "a sister-in-law of Gen. Moylan) particu-
lar friend of my mother. as also of Mrs Wash
MOy-lan laH for in h..rn
riage at about o'clock pm. Mrs. Washington
then resided in the house owned by Robert
Morris. On entering the room We were led to
Mrs. Washington by Mr.. Hamilton grandson
OF Gov. Hamilton. of Pennsylvania. who was
master of ceremonies that evening. 1 distinctly
remember seeing the key of the bastile hang
ing over the mantel as passed TO the far ex-
tremity of the apartment, where Mrs. Washing
ton sat and received us very graciously. She
was still very attractive. although quite adj
yanced in years. There something very
sweet and feminine in the coantenance. The
dress was of black satin. with white crepe
inside. handkerchief lain in folds. cap Of the
same material with double-quilled borders. and
tied under the chin with white satin bow. Ca
the right of Mrs. Washington sat Mrs. Robert
Morris, a Understanding woman dressed in u
rich white satin, with white Grape handkerchief
and turban. Next 90 Mrs. Morris was Mrs.
Judge Peters, distinguished for her beauty and
elegance of manner, and arrayed in peHrl-col-
ored satin, with Grape handkerchief and head
dress. Ny friend Mrs Moyland was seated by
Mrs. Peters, and was attired in white satin,
with white Grape handkerchief and turban.
Most of the young ladies. both married and
single, stood or promenaded the ROOM Nearly
all wore Grape or book-muslin dressed over silk.
some OF them being embroidered with silver
and others with gold thread. the waist being
short and the train long and graceful. Grape
cushions for the head were much worn by
married ladies. The young ladies wore their
hair frizzed and thrown into curls, with
black velvet bandeaux richly studded with
steel and paste. with graduated plumes Cfrom
three to FIVE white ostrich J, making handsome
head-dress when tastetully managed. The sill
yer flowers covering the stems OF the feathers
added much TO their briliancy. Powder was
much used by both ladies and gentlemen. L
recollect the dress of one young lady on that
occasion. 1t consisted of very fine null mus
lin over white mantua silk moderate train
trimmed with broad white satin ribbon. orna-
mented with black silk velvet waters. richly
spangled. Below this quilting OF deep
Brussels lace, and a quilting of the same about
the neck and sleeves, a white satin sash with
long ends. spangled. long-armed white Kid
gloves. with silk stockings and white satin
shoes, brown powdered hair. with black BAN
deaux and white plumes, pret;ily arranged.
These. together with miniature, handsomely
set and suspended by a gold chain from the
neck and a large gold chain. with a chatelaine
on the side, from which depended various rings
and charms, completed the toilette.
Among the distinguished guests / observed
Governor Ross and wife, the latter magnif-
Gently attired; also James A. Bayard and wife,
of Delaware. the latter a beautiful woman.
General Harry Lee was one of the most fasci-
mating persons in attendance. both in regard
to appearance and colloquial powers. No one.
however, could vie with the President who
stood unsurpassed in grandeur and dignity.
About fortnight after this Mrs. Moylan ac-
companied me in a morning call on Mrs. WASH
ington. 1 then met Mrs. Nightingale and her
sister, Miss Greene, daughter Of General
Greene. Mrs. Washington was very sociable;
said she had just been making purchases at a
new English store in Market street; among
other articles she had bought one dozen pocket
handkerchiefs for the general and like num-
Der for herself, remarking, she produced
them for our inspection, that she paid IL each
for those of the general, but she would not go
higher for her own than 81 y cents.
/ Although not the usual custom of Mrs.
Washington TO make calls on young ladies,
she was so kind as TO make me an exception.
probably in grateful remembrance Of my moth
er's hospitality TO herself and the general dur
ing the war Of the revelation.
The Favorite Novels of Certain Novelists.
From Belfords Magazine.
should say that the "yicar Of Wakefield"
surpassed all English tales If did not remem-
havt hat Eialdino haI rraota1 parsan Adams.