The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-22

andfrons held wood cut to cord size,
and often oak logs which strained a
brace Of black backs t. lift into place.
Cranes of iron, wrought in the black
smith shop over the hill, swung steam
ing kettles above the glowing Goals.
Quarters Of beef, young sucking pigs,
and rows of fowl, game and domestic,
We're roasted on sp1fs. Corn pone and
sweet potatoes nestled in the ashes"
They refurnished the house almost
throughout, ordering the goods from
London, where the Virginia colonial
danes did most of their shopping,
though it was then more distant than
Is Japan today.
CIT HEY both were early risers,
L though breakfast was not early
for all the household Washington in
winter often made his own fire in his
library, and there, over his correspond
ence and accounts, did an immense
amount of work in a few hours. Mrs.
Washington rose when he did and d.
rected the beginning of the days do
nestle duties into easy and ordered
channels. After breakfast he rode
out on one of his horses to overlook
the labOrers on the various farms into
which he divided Mount Vernon estate,
and returned, according to Custis,
'punctual as the hand Of a clock, at
quarter to three and retired
to his room to dress, as was his Gus
TOM Mrs. Washington chose the first
hour for religious devotion in her own
room, an unfailing custom her life
| long. Dinner was q mid-afternOon
meal after the Southern tradition
Washington rarely ate any supper,
though it was always spread for his
household and guests. When at Mount
Vernon it was his habit to retire at
nine o'clock"
WDEFORE the Revolution Mount
- Vernon bore it's share of the
open-handed hospitality which distin-
guished Virginia colonial life. The
brief call of visitors, whose home base
is near by, was practically unknown.
Distances were great, travellers came
with their own coach and horses and
servants, and an arrival meant addi-
tional places at the masters table and
In the servants hall, additional beds,
and stabling and feed for from six to
twelve horses. 1t was part of the flex-
ible, cordial social system, and the
hospitality and provision was on a
large scale. Everyone was welcome
brothers and sisters, nephews and
nieces, and cousins to remote degrees
friends passing north and south, cross
ing from Maryland to lower Virginia
or only on their way to the plantation
next beyond. Not least welcome were
strangers, with and often without let
tiers.
'sRainy days, or the early winter
evenings, were devoted to cards. Wash
ington's account books indicate that
playing cards were quickly used up
The profit and loss columns record his
! winnings and losses, which at times
mounted to nine pounds at sitting
1t was a liberal age. Not only was
gambling on moderate scale consid
cred a fashionable diversion, but tn,
family at Mount Vernon patronizet
the lotteries on various OCCASIONS"
HERE are s~Ae extracts from thu
III diary Of John Hunter, Londor
merchant, who spent day and nigh
at Mount Vernon in 1885:
1.-THE general came in again, with hi
hair neatly powdered, a clean shir
on, new plain drab coat, white waist
coat and white silk stockings. 4
three dinner was on the table, and w
were shown by the general into an
other room, where everything was sc
off with a peculiar taste, and at tn
same time very neat and plain. TIL
general sent the bottle about prett
freely after dinner, and gave success
to the navigation of the Potomac TO
bis toasts, which he has very muc
at heart.
awe had a very elegant suppe
about that time. The general with
few glasses Of champagne got quit
merry, and being with his intimat
, | friondc 1auphod aDd fa1lzpd q goo