The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-03-12
GEORGE WASTING
TONS STYLE
.ss writing Improved with Years

fThe following excerpts from ths
wrltings Of Gen. George Washington
throw an interesting sidelight on life
10 colonial America nearly 200 years
aeo ana al the same time plainly show
enc aevelopment OF Washington
userary style from its crude begin
nlnx in 1854 TO it's polished excel
ence IN 1876. The first excerpts are
tom the Journal of My Journey
Over me Mountains" and open will
Ma sixteenth year. They bear wit
ness 10 the energy and maturity of
washlngeon's judgment and his abili.
Az 10 discharge even then important
trusts. The latter extracts are from
me Farewell Address" delivered at
New York Sept. IL. 1896. The double
dating Of the year. as is done in the
fret excerpt from the Journal" was
an ala custom observed between Jan.
4 and March Is. For the remainder
Of the year q single date was used)
FRIDAY March 18th 1747--S. Began
my Journey in Company with George
FAIRFAX. Esqr.; We travelled this da.
40 Miles to Mr.. George Neavels in
Prince William County.
Tuesday 18th. We set out early with
Intent 10 Run around ye sd Land but
being taken In a Rain & 1t Increas-
ing very fast obliged US to detour. It
clearing about one O'clock & our time
being too Precious TO Loose we Sc
cont time ventured out & Worked hard
TN Night & then returned to Penning
tons We got our suppers & was lighte'
into a Room & not being so good
woodsman as We rest of my Com
pany stripped myself very orderly
q went into We Bed as they called 1t
when 10 my Siprise ! found it to be
nothing but a Little Straw-Matted to-
gether with out Sheets or anything
else but only one thread Bear Blanket
with double its Weight of vermine
such as Lice Fleas &c. was glad
20 get up Gas soon as We Light was
carried from us) ] put on my Cloths
a Lay as my Companions. Had we
not been very tired am sure we
should not have slepd much that
night.
Wednesday 10th. We set out early
4 finished about one oClCok & then
Travelled up to Frederick town where
our Baggage came TO US we cleaned
ourselves ITO get Rid OF We Game we
had catched ye Night before) took d.
Review OF We town & thence returned
20 our lodgings where we had a good
Dinner prepaid for us Wine & Rum
Punch in Plenty & a good Feather
Bed with clean Sheets which was
very agreeable regale.
Wednesday 2srd. Rain till about
two O'clock & Cleared when we were
agreeable surprised at We sight &C thir.
~ odd Indians coming from, War with
only one scalp. We had some liquor
with US Of which we gave them part
4 elevating thir spirits put them in
ye humonr of Dancing of whom we
had war dance there manner of
dauncing is as follows Viz. They
clear Large Circle & make Great
Fee il ye middle then seats them
selves around it We Speaker makes o
grand speech telling them in what
manner they are to daunce. After he
has finished We best Dauncer Jumps
up as one awaked out of a sleep &
Runs & Jumps about we Ring in
most comicle Manner. He is followed
by We rest then begins there Musicians
TO play. We Musick is pot half full
of water with Deerskin stretched
over il as tight as it can a goard with
some shott in it to Rattle & Piece
Of an horses Tail tied to it to make