New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-28

her minority" endowed with considerable
share Of her mothers estate. The latters VIII
is set forth at length in this book From IL we
learn that little Mary Ball inherited certain gold
rings a capacious bed with zone suit of good
curtains and fallens. one Rugg, one quit one
pair Blankets" and divers other Items. Inc VIII
also states that zone young likely negro woman
is to be purchased and delivered unto MARY
when she reaches her eighteenth year. Nothing
IS known OF her from her Childhood until her
marriage TO Augustine washington Her por-
,rs,, has been lost. on the strength Of tradition
Mrs Pryor feels justified in describing her as
..tardsou1e and distingue-a superb woman
g., or,ar,, ,,articular . . fearless and ex-
merit horsewornan" II is tolerabiy certain lhae
she played leading part among the cohieiy anu
popular young women of her neighoorhood' Niis.
r9-z-or disuaisses as false the romantic story OF
her having made the acquaintance OF her Iutuie
husband through his suffering an ACCIDENT IN
front OF her brothers gate. and being brought
IN to be put under her care Mary Ball prooa-
his, knew Augustine Washington WELL" she says
long before he was a widower," and the story
Of their courtship she surmises 20 have been
"a nlain story of propinquity and old fashioned
-eipbborbood friendship" She lost her hus-
land after thirteen years Of the happieSt family
life. and then, with the common sense and reso-
luton so characteristic Of the women OF her
cav gave herself up to the care OF her hiie
estate and the training Of her children enc
ruled them with a kind but determined hano'
and when ordinary persuasion did not answer
she picked I'D with energy the next instrument
Of discipline, "a bundle Of keen rods, gathered
daily from the friendly beech tree"
Henceforth Mary Washington pursued the
even tenor of her way, sedate and strong. gen.
tleness itself in most of the relations of lfe but
no. chs
unon and carving herself with all the state
illness of a matron whose position in the world
is unouestioned. She had her little crotchets
one Of them was a passion for punctuality.
which was shared by the way, by her famous
son. Method" says Mrs. Pryor. became with
her almost a mania. Her neighbors set their
watches by the ringing Of her bells. She was
never the fraction Of minute too late at church
She was punctually exact in her observance or
all appointments and prompt to the minute In
meeting those appointments. By the well regu-
lated clock in her entry-the clock which is now
preserved at 'Kenmore'-an the movements Of
her household were regulated. Her ilustrious
son had also such a clock He graciously al
lowed at dinner five minutes for the possible
variation of timepieces. After they expired he
would wait for no one. If apologtzing guest
arrived after the dinner was advanced, his ex-
cuses were met with the simple announcement,
Sir have a cook who never asks whether the
company has come. but whether the hour has
come His mother had taught him the value
Of time"
She taught him the importance Of truth as
well. and altogether fulfilled the duties of
mother. doing her best to form his character
along the right lines. If she was severe she
was also lovabIe. If. Mrs. Pryor states on
the authority OF a contemporary observer, Mrs.
Washington, while receiving visitors with cor
diality, never asked them twice to stay, and
always speeded the parting guest by affording
every facility in her power" she also. by the
excellences Of her nature and the charm Of her
deneanor, made herself host Of friends long
before her sons fame was established A good
woman, with no brilliance of intellect, but well
qualified to be the mother Of great man. Mrs.
Pryor portrays in these pages. They are writ
ten in a smooth and interesting strain, and
they are lavishly illustrated with portraits and
views.