The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-20

ter for the first time, reveals, how
ever, that he had an extensive collec-
ton of books. Books OF fiction are.
however, very few and far between,
and you could almost count them on
your fingers--"Gil Bias" "Peregrin
Pickle. "Gulliver," Humphrey clink-
err" Don Quixote" and a few others.
| There are few volumes of miscel-
| laneous verse and the remainder OF thu
hundreds of volumes are essays or
works of the informative class. he
Fhad the American encyclopaedia. Sham
| beauds and Johnson's dictionaries and
/ there are no end of text books on
4 gardening and farming. In his diar-
lies he never mentioned reading.
! Washington's religion has long been
| a subject of dispute. President Tafts
lreilow churchmen the Unitarians, claim
he was a Deist. or virtually of their
faith. Although baptized in the Epis-
copal Church, one time restrymah
there. and long a pew holder at Christ
| Church. Alexandria, he attended SER
vices during middle life only once in
three or four Sundays, and on commun-
ion Sundays he left before the sacra-
4 ment. while he did not kneel during
the services. Jefferson quotes Gouver-
/ neur Morris as stating, In regard TO
orthodoxy, that General Washington
believed no more in that system than
he did himself" 1t was once COM
Iplained by some of the clergy that
! Washington had never said word TO
the public which showed belief in
Christianity.
Loved Dancing aud Tens.
4 IL fpOI ,S Il irp n
/ teas and picnics. His diaries refer over
and over again to his attendance at
balls. Even during the revolution he
4 indulged this fondness for the terpsich-
Dream art at the quarters of his Sener-
4 ais, and it is recorded that once during
this time His eScellency and Mrs
Green danced upward of three hours
without once sitting down." Ane
General Knox wrote that of one Of
these routs I'VE danced all night" TIT
night that he resigned his commission
i in Annapolis "the general danced II
every SET and when siatS-four HI
was still gayly tripping the light fan
Elastic. His diaries are also full of re
ferences to his drinking. here ant
there, afternoon tea, which at Noun
vernon was regularly served upon tn
!, wide portico facing the river. an
1 which during the war was as punctual
liz served at the generals headquar
ters.
At Mount Vernon he cerenoniousl
f powdered his hair for dinner, at whicl
were served the Injuries of the day
Including wine-often champagne
with which he toasted ''All our friends.
He was very fond of the theatre, an
when President frequently entertaine
at box parties and when in his TWEEN
ties had an ambition for amateur act
ing. In his younger days he was ais
fond OF circuses, puppct shows, wa
works and concerts
Although reserved and always digni
fed among strangers, among his in
most circle Of friends mo man SCENE
more to enjoy gay conversation
though" as Madison wrote. che too
little part in it himself" Yet he wa
ready with his reply when occasion OF
fered. Once, while he was commander
in-chief. Clinton sent him letter ad
tom cilanciEg at the address. =
said to the messenger, This letter
directed to planter in the stare
Virginia. i shall have 1t delivered 7
him at the end OF the war. TIL the
| time 1T shall not be opened." An
| shortly there came under the flag
| truce. another dispatch, addressed
| nHis Excellency." General Washing
| ton" Yet he suffered from stag
\ fright when called upon to make
\ sneech. and when Adams started
| nropose him to Congress for general
I the Continental Army he from n
L usual modesty," darted out Of II
chamber.
He had a high temper, but kept
under close control. IF, however,
broke its bounds. he was tremendo,
Lin his wrath wrote Jefferson. Gilbe
stuart said that sail his features we
indicative OF the strongest and mo
RIungovernable passions, and, had
Ibcen born in the forests. he won
Ihave been the fercest man among 4
\ savage tribes s y
Was q Sport.
ii washington was a born speculate
N AT Mount Vernon he was constant
y engaged In land deals, and during t
n RE solution lie tried to get a. sharosir
II |privateering enterprise. RE was "
y an enthusiastic patron of the raf