Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-02-17

although every inch king" over
looked the disregard of established
forms into which his would-he hosts had
been betrayed by their patriotic zeal, and
made the following answer in his own
handwriting:
Gentlemen: l thank you for your nos
pitable invitation and the gratifying terms
in which you have expressed your desire
that / should attend banquet which you
propose to give in celebration of Gen.
Washington's natal day. But you musU ex-
cuse me from uniting with you to lsonor
the memory of your illustrious country
man, since could not do so with sincerity,
for Washington scorned crown, and did
more to bring royalty into contempt than
all men who have ever lived. and L am
king by trade"
On December 4 Washington took final
leave of the officers of the army in the
dining room of the old Fraunces tavern,
at the corner of Pearl and Broad streets,
New York.
Pouring out glass Of wine, he re-
Quested them to fill their glasses. and
after giving his habitual first toast, 10
all our friends,' he said:
with heart full Of love and gratitude
now take my leave of you, most devoted
ly praying that your latter days may be as
prosperous and happy as your former ones
have been honorable and glorious ! can
not come to each of YOU, but will be glad If
every one of you Will come forward and
take me by the hand"
The following anecdote, narrated by
Mr.. Watson, presents Washington not
in his additionally austere attitude,
habitually poised to be pedestalled In
bronze or marble, but as the kindly tenn
pered man and considerate host, beneath
| whose native dignity of manner there
| glowed the most tender sympathy with
the sufferings of others, suggesting the
pinions of the eagle folded around the
warm heart OF the dove:
Although | had frequently seen Gen.
Washington in the progress of the rev.
olution, and had corresponded with him
from France in 81 and 'S2, this was the
first occasion on which | had contem-
plated him in his private relations. |
observed popularity in his smile which
seemed to illuminate his eyes; his whole
countenance beamed with intelligence
while it commanded confidence and re-
spect. | found him kind and benignant
in the domestic circle, reyered and be-
loved by all around him, agreeably Social
without ostentation, delighting in aneo-
dotes and adventures without assump.
ton; his domestic arrangements harmo.
NOUS and systematic. His servants
seemed % watch his eye, and to antici.
pate his every wish, hence look wa!
equivalent to a command. His servant
Billy, the faithful companion of his mil
itary career, was always at his side
smiling content animated and beameC
on every countenance in his presence
The first evening spent under the wins
of his hospitality We sat full hour a
table by ourselves, after the family haC
retired. was extremely oppressed witt
a severe cold and excessive coughing
and he pressed me to use some remedies
but declined dong so. AS usual ate
retiring, my co. Ching increased. Whel
some time had elapsed the door of N.
room was gently opened, and on drawing
my bed-curtains, to my utter astonish
ment | beheld Washington himsel
standing at my bedside with bowl G
hot tea in his hand. was mortified an,
, distressed beyond expression. This lit
tie incident occurring in common lif
with an ordinary man, would not hav
been noticed, but as trait of the benev
olence and private virtue OF Washington
1t deserves to be recorded"