The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-04-25
lnstaIlment 7


those who knew him best, as well as
those who met him but to pass, the
impression of a singular restraint and
self-command, which lent a peculiar
dignity and charm to his speech and
carriage. They deemed him deeply
passionate, and yet could never re-
member to have seen him in a pas
sion. The impression was often a
wholesome check upon strangers, and
even upon friends and neighbors, who
would have sought to impose upon
him.
Terrible In His Wrath.
No doubt he had given way to
bursts of passion often enough in
camp and upon the march, when In
efficiency. disobedience, or cowardice
angered him holly and of sudden
There were stories to be heard of
men who had reason to remember
how terrible he could be in his wrath.
But he had learned, in the very heat
and discipline of such scenes, how he
must curb and guard himself against
surprise, and it was no doubt trials
of command made in his youth that
had given him the fine self-poise men
noted in him now
He had been bred in a strict school
of manners at Belvoir and Greenway
court, and here at his own Mount
Vernon in the old days, and the place
must have seemed to him full of the
traditions of whatsoever was just and
honest and lovely and of good report
as he looked back to the time Of his
gentle brother. 1t was still dangerous
to cross or thwart him, indeed. Poach-
ers might look to be caught and
soundly thrashed by the master him
self If he CHANGED their way Negli-
gent overseers might expect sharp
penalties, and unfaithful contractors
strict accounting. if necessary work
went wrong by their fault
Always Open to Conviction.
He was exacting almost to the point
of harshness in every matter of just
right or authority. But he was open
and wholesome as the day, and rea-
sonable to the point of pity in every
affair of humanity, through it ALL
Now it was my rascally overseer.
Hardwick. in his diary, when certain
mares were sent home scarce able to
highlone, much less to assist in the
business of the plantations" but not
month later it was my worthy
overseer. Hardwick. lying in Win
chester of a broken leg" 1t was not
in his way to add anything to the
penalties of nature.
A quiet simplicity of life and a
genuine love of real sport rid him of
morbid humors. All up and down the
English world, while the eighteenth
century lasted, gentlemen were COM
monly to be found drunk after dinner
outside New England, where the eff
acient Puritan church had fastened so
singular discipline in manners upon
whole society-and Virginian gen
tlemen had a reputation for deep
drinking which they had been az some
pains to deserve
A rural society Graves excitement,
and can get it very simply by such
practices There is always leisure to
sleep afterwards. even though your
dinner came in the middle OF the day,
and there is good reason you should
be thirsty if you have been since day
break in the saddle.
Not a Hard Drinker.
To ride hard and to drink hard
seemed to go together in Virginia as
inevitably as the rhymes in a song,
and twas famous hard riding after
the fox over the rough fields and
through the dense thickets If Wash
ington drank only small beer or cider
and couple OF glasses of Madeira at
dinner, it was no doubt because he
had found his quick blood tonic
enough. and had set himself hard
regimen as soldier.
file did not scruple to supply drink
enough for the thirstiest gathering
when he presented himself to the vot-
ers of the countryside as a candidate
for the house of burgesses. "A hogs
head and barrel of punch, thirty
five gallons of wine. forty-three gal
Ions of strong cider. and dinner for
his friends" was what he cheerfuIly
paid for at his first election. and the
poll footed but a few hundred votes
all told.
Mount Vernon saw as much com
pany and as constant merriment and
good cheer as any house in Virginia;
and the master was no martinez to his
guests, even though they came upon
professional errands Doctor Laurie
came here. I may add, drunk" says
his quiet diary. without comment.
though the doctor had come upon
summons to attend Mrs. Washington,
and was next morning suffered to use
his lancet for her relief No doubt a
good fellow when sober. and not TO be
lightly chided when drunk. like many
gallant horseman and gentleman
who Joined the meet Of the country
side at the hospitable place to follow
the hounds when the hunting was
good
Fox Hunting Winter and Summer.