The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-02-18
A TRUE GENTLEMA AN,
! Some of the Many Pleasant Things Known
| About George Washington.

TRUE GENTLEMAN.
some of the Many Pleasant Things Known
About George Washington.
1t has been said by ardent biog.
raphers that George Washington came
the nearest to being a faultless man OF
any known to the world. He was
gentleman in the truest meaning OF
the word. Much stress is laid upon the
simplicity of his life and manners, and
some would make us believe that he
dressed like plain farmer and ate
only the simplest viands.
But Washington was a man who had
been reared in elegance and knew how
to maintain the dignity of his position,
and he dressed and lived consistently.
In the Young Americans Library Of
Famous Generals we are given this
description of the Father of our Coun
try in the words of Mrs Washington's
relative, Mr.. Custis:
You will meet an old gentleman
riding. along in plain drab clothes, a
broaosorimmed hat, hickory switch
in his hand and carrying an umbrella
with long staff, which is attached to
his saddle-b bow; that, sir, is Gen. Wash
ington."
That is one picture of the general
and very likely true one, suited to his
surroundings Here is another, which
is charming and chivalrous counter.
part:
cat the presidential reception Gen.
Washington wore his hair powdered
and gathered behind in silk bag. His
coat and breeches were of plain black
velvet. He wore white or pearl-col-
ored vest and yellow gloves, and a
cooked hat in his hand, with silver
knee and shoe buckles, and long
sword with finely wrought and gilt
tering steel hilt. The coat was worn
over this and it's sea bbard of finely
polished white leather"
In regard to his diet there was the
same diversity. We are told that he
rose at day break, lit his own fire and
wrote or read by candlelight In sum
mer he breakfasted at seven and in
winter at eight, when he drank two
small cups of tea and ate three or four
cakes of Indian meal (hoe cakes). Din
ner at two, when he drank small beer
or CIDER and two glasses of old Madeira.
Why Gen. Washington should make
his own fire does not seem very clear
The house was we'll supplied with
servants, dover slaves. who had been
raised by Martha Washington's family.
In 1897 Washington wrote:
1x,;cl, fro,,, eor,1 that bo lorr;c
lature of this state could see the policy
of a gradual abolition of slavery. 1t
might prevent much future mischief :"
Prophetic words indeed!
Washington was inclined to be cour-
teously sarcastic. One speech of his
to the English officers who represented
the enemy at the battle of Bunker Hill
is characteristic. The American army
was short of ammunition at Prospect
Hill and for some time the cannonad-
ing of the enemy was answered by an
occasional rally which seemed to be-
token weakening. This was the an.
swer Washington made to storm of
cannon balls: Our poverty in ammu-
milton prevents our making a suitable
return"
1t is said there are only two portraits
| of Gen. Washington that represent the
man as he really was. One is the
equestrian portrait by Trum bull in
! 1870, a copy of which is in the city hall
of New York. The other an engrav-
ing by Loisler from painting by Cog
! MET, both French artists of distinction.
The head of the portrait was copied
from Stuart, but the linn bs are believed
| to be the most perfect of any repre-.
| sentation
1t is said of Washington that not one
act of cruelty was ever laid to his
charge.
At the age of twenty-seven Washing
! ton was married to the beautiful and
amiable widow GUSTS, the earliest rep
resentative among the ladies prominent
in our republican society. We are told
of Martha Washington that her supe-
rior mind and education, her virtues of
character. and her majestic grace COM
maEded general respect She read a
great deal; Milton and the Scriptures
were her constant companions
An incid ent is related which is illus
trative of Washington's religious hab.
it's A visitor in the halls of congress
asked how he could distinguish Mr.
Washington, of Virginia. The reply was:
You will know him easily when con.
gress is at prayer. Mr.. Washington is
! the gentleman who kneels down.
Washington was elected president OF
the United States March 4, 1889, but in
accordance with the slow movement OF
affairs in those days, he was not in.
formed of it officially until the 14th oi
April following. He served second
term, to which he was unanimous
elected, but on no consideration would
he accept a third term.
When Napoleon met one of our cour
| trymen abroad, he was sure to ask
GLOW is the great American, Washing.
ton?'-Mrs. NJ. L. Rayne, in Detroi,
| Eroo praSS