Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-20
HE WAS A DANDY.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GEO.
wAsHINGTON's YOUTHFUL DAYS.
though Born 20 Command, He
Spurned Not the FrivolIties of Life.
Meeting of the Two Georges I'm
spOokIand.
spookIand.

spOokIand.
sharp and decisive was the line or de-
narration that separated the youth or
George Washington from his manhood.
Washington the boy ceased TO exist at an
carly age Washington the man took his
place. Not that Washington was an
enigmatcai prodigy in the smooth-chin-
ned period of life. lie had his rancies
and his love affairs like other men. but
De was a man who early showed that
fate had fitted him TO command men.
Even IL II detracts from the spirit OF
reverence for the memory of George
truth compels the statement that hc
dearly loved social gatherings. ne Sc
yelled in picnics, and was quite a spor
when it came to cards and billiards. Inc
pleasures Of the table were keenly en-.
joyed by Washington. and for women ne
always had a warm spot in his heart.
Washington had bees the hero or innu-
merable love affairs before he met MS
fate in the person Of the Widow Gusts,
who became Martha Washington. George
was then a. and dandy. Tall and
graceful, with handsome features, some
what marred by the fact that smallpox
had left its mark there, he had shone
Tor some time in the best social circles
OF America.
AS A SOLDIER.
As a soldier, Washington has been de-
cared by one Of the greatest generals
that ever lived to have been the greatest
general the world ever saw. Concord,
Lexington. Bunker Hill, the mastery re-
treat from New York, the decisive VIC
tory gained by crossing the Delaware at
critical period Of the struggle for inoe-
pendence. and the glorious ge1eralsnip
that carried the patriots from valley
Forge 10 Yorktown, are all enduring
monuments to the greatness OF Washing
toms military genius.
Then Washington. the President. Tne
man that had made the country free ruled
80 as a free people should be ruled-wltn
firmness and discretion-building the
foundation-stones of the structure that
has risen TO its present vast dimensions,
sOlidy ana well, so that it should stand
like tbs everlasting rocks. Through diplo-
matte difficulties and home troubles ne
steered the ship OF state with the same
uneering judgment that he had exhibited
IN the heat Of battle Washington, the
man. the soldier. the statesman, was
clearly destined for the great part ne
played IN each scene OF life.
DOGGED BY PORTRAIT PAINTERS.
Washington detested to have his pOr-
trait painted. Yet the many pictures OF
him that are scattered through the cOun-
try. show that the painters were able to
overcome his objections. He even, In or
der that Trumbull should get his pose in
the saddle correctly for the picture to
be called Capture Of the Hessians at
Trenton" mounted his horse and rode
through the streets of Philadelphia. Por-
trait painters logged his footsteps. They
sketched him as he sat in church and
tried TO draw him as he passed through
the streets. Alexander Campbell, OF VIII
liamsburg Va, accomplished this latter
task and the grotesque result is still
preserved by the Historical Society Of
Pennsylvania.
An ivory miniature, showing Washing
ton 40 the age Of Is. is supposed to be the
earliest picture in existence. It has been
attributed 70 Copley, and is now in the
Metropolitan Museum Of New York.
Charles William Peale painted the first
Oh painting OF Washington. More than
hundred copies Of II have been made. The
original IS now IN the possession Of Gene
raj Gusts Lee Of Lexington, Va Peale
painted Washington's picture fourteen
times In 1872 Labatut, the French artist,
painted portrait that is now In the pos
session OF Miss +. T. Watson, OF New
York. James Sharpless. OF England,
painted the last life portrait Of Washing
ton.
HIS NEAREST LIVING RELATIVE.
The nearest living relative OF George
Washington is Mr.. Il. y. Ball, who was
horn IN LOudoun county, Virginia, In 1917,
and now keeps a cigar stand in the Pen
sion Office. His grandfather Ball was a
cousin OF Mary Bail, who was the mother
of Washington.
Washington relics are as thick as leaves
in autumn. Richmond prizes an account
OBJ the city record Of a visit paid after the
wear. with a full description OF the en-
thusiastic reception accorded him. Mrs.
GOuldsbee, a southern lady, possesses q
yellow petticoat, covered with golden-rod'
that was once worn by Martha washing
ton. The Lenox Public Library, OF New
York. treasures thirty-two pages Of
Quarto letter paper. sewed together as q
book which Is General George Washing
toms farewell address 10 the people OF
the United States. written IN his own
hand at Mount Vernon, and published
September 10. 1896 The house In which
the farewell address was written has
fallen into bad hands since then, mot
ley crowd OF Italians now occupying II,
but II was g fine old residence In those
days.
A GHosTLY JOKE
The following Incident is printed with
apologies 20 the two Georges mentioned
10 Is hardly true, az It appears from the
context. that an Engishman got on a
Joke.
"Goofes" snapped raspy voice In the
land o. soirits.
The shade OF the father OF his country
.for IL was IN truth, the ghost OF george
Washington az whom was hurried tne
cnristian-naMe salutati0n) started ne
stopped almost as soon as he started, Tor
dhrry must be maintained az par, even
'r ne region where the only shades are
shadows.
Then be repeated IN his turn;
"Geofger
A bslafed ghost who was Fastening