The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-21

took great pleasure. in this form Of entertain
inent. He frequently had teas at his quarters
in camp. and while.president was often NJ such
parties, both in New YORK and Philadel pha
lIis diary and letters refer to delightful teas
A. this or the other home. where lie met TWEEN
ty, OF At one time seventy charming ladies'
There II something IN the adulatiOn of women
,or great man to which the coolest have not
oesn insensible. and Washington was very sus.
ccptibic. With these attractive and brilliant
colonial James pressing him To cake another
and Just one more cup of tea II II q wonder that
nIfcent constitution and horseback riding ena
BLEED him to endure this trying form OF mia
dissipation with cver-increasing hoalth ana
MIR. and Mrs. Washington liked the play and
went 10 the theatre very often. lie love- 70
have good company with him and evidently
filled his box TO It's utmost capacity. This en-.
try is found In his diary while he was Presi-
went 10 the play 10 the evening, sent tick.
cts 10 tho following ladies and gentlemen and
INVITED them Ia. seets II my box; VIZ. Mrs
Schuyler and lady. Mr.. King and lady. Major
Butler aud lady. Col, Hamilton and lady. and
Mrs. Green. all OF whom accented and came eN.
cent Mrs. Butler. who was indisposed.' Tho
General and his.wifc con, planned when In Phila-
dclpha andlNew York that the social attentions
were 40 urgent that they dned out every night.
The Presidential dinners OF Gen. Washington
are described by his contemporaries as very
formei affairs. They narrate that there was
very little conversation, that all OF tho guests
seemed awed hy the majestic presence and great
dignity OF the hOst. that his Efforts to break up
the silence and promote conversation met
with very little response. One OF the guests
relates that ut tho close OF one OF these dinners.
which was long. and. Judge. very dull, Wash.
inRton arose aud proposed the health OF one or
the ladies In good old Madeira, whercupon one
" tho gentlemen trose aud proposed tho health
Of another ono Of the ladies' and then the men In
great rapidlty got M and proposed the health
o. this lady and hat lady until there was 2
general fusilladc of your health. madam" and
your health. SIR" and the tension was no.
licyed. At his own table at Mt. Vernon ten.
Washington eNcrted himself To the utmost 10
make his guess happy and the entertainment
agreeable. Some OF those dinners. especially
when his old comrades in arms were present.
aud particularly when the French ofilrers were
here, were memorable for re niniscence nnd
good times. But the custom seems 10 have
been with the General, whenever there was
lull In the conversation, To break the awk ward
pause by Immediately proposing somebody 8
health accompanied by a sentiment lie was
very happy in this and very quick. AT din-
ner which lie gave to Lord CORVALLIS and his
stan after the surrender at Yorktown the
French officers seemed rather determined To
rub /. into tho British for their misfortmnes.
Was ington quickly turned everj such ef'
fort aud used his cxertions TO spare the feelnI
OF his conquered foes. a toast was proposed to
the King of France. which was drunk. and
then CORVALLIS offered n toast, ITO I y King"
Wash ngton quickly said:
General. add to the King OF Great Brit
am and thea We join with all our hearts
Corn wallis never forgot tho courtesy, for,
hcarance, and Kindness OF Washington. and
conducted n cordial correspondence with him
up to the tmo Of the Generals death.
! have thus. ladies'. In the brief space allow
able for an evening ike this. underworld by an
excursion into lie fields seldom explored "a
rive n human view of the human ma .ure side OF
the best and the mol lest and the greatest man
whom God ever created.