Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-02-18

- AZ " DoAN 81
although every inch a king over
looked the disregard OF established
forms into which his wouId-be hosts had
Been betrayed by their patriotic zeal, and
made the following answ in his own
handwriting:
Gentlemen; J thank YOU for your hos
pitable invitation ara the gratifying terms
n which You have expressed your desire
rat ] should attend a banquet which YOU
propose to give IN celebration Of Gen.
Washington's natal iay. But you must OK.
ctISe me from uniting with you to honor
tie memory Of your ilustrious country
man. since ! could lot DO so with sincerity.
for Washington scorned a crown, and I'D
more to bring royalty into contempt than
al. men wEo have ever lived, and I am q
king by trade
On December I Washington took final
leave Of the officers OF the army in the
dining room Of the old Fraunces tavern,
al the corner Of Pearl and Broad streets,
New York.
Pouring out a glass Of wine, he re
quested them to fl their glasses, and
after giving his habitual first toast, "To
ell our friends" he said;
with a heart full of love and gratitudr
| now take my cave CT you, most GcvoteG-
- praying that your latter Gays may Eo a.
prosperous ana happy as your former ones
have been honorable ard glorious | car
not come TO each OF you. but Will be glad n
every one OF you will come forward anJ
a Inc by TIE hand
The following a%necdote, narrated BY
Mr., Watson, presents Washington not
in his additionally austere attitude.
habitualIy poised to be pedestalled IN
bronze or marble. but as the kindly TEN
pered mar and cGnSiGerate host. beneat!
whose native dignity Of manner there
glowed the mes, tender sympathy witt
the sufPerings Of others, suggesting tt,
pinions Of the eagle folded around tht
warm heart Of the love:
Although | had frequently seen Gen
Washington in the progress Ct Tie rev.
o%lution, ard had corresponted with him
from France in 81 and 49,, this was tht
first occasion on which | had coutem-
plated him IN his private relations. /
observed a popularity in his smile which
seemed 70 illuminate his eyes: his whole
counteEauce beamed with intelligence
while it commanded confidence and re.
spect. | found him kind and benignan;
in the domestic circle, revered and be-
loved by ali around him. agrecably socia.
without ostentation, d%elighting in anec-
dotes and adventures without assump-
ton; his domestic arrangements harmo-
nious and systematic. His servants
seemed 10 watch his eye, and to anticl.
pate his every wish, hence a look was
equivalent to a command. His servant
Billy, the faithful companion OF his mil
itary career, was always at his side:
smiling content animated and beamed
on every c~Ountenance in his presence.
Tho first evening | spent under the wing
Of his hospitality We sat a full hour Al.
table by ourselves, after the family had
retired. ! was extremely oppressed with
q severe cold and excessive coughing,
and he pressed me to use some remedies.
but | declined dong so. AS usual after
retiring, my coughing increased. When
some time had elapsed the door OF my
room was gently opened, and or drawing
my bed-curtains, to my utter astonish-
ment | beheld Washington himself
standing at my bedside with a bowl CT
hot tea in his hand. | was mortified and
distressed beyond expression. This lit
tie incident occurring in common life
with an ordinary man. would not have
been noticed. but as a trait Of the benev.
olence and private virtue OF Washington
1t deserves to be recorded"