Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
Amusements Of The
First President

That both the President and Mrs
Washington suffered from home
sickness while in executive resi-
dence in New York and Philadelphia
is recorded in history. Mrs. Wash
ington wrote to Mrs. Fanny Wash
ington whom she had left in charge
at Mount Vernon: 81 never go to
any public place. Indeed 1 think l
am more like a state prisoner than
anything else; there is certain
bounds set for me, which must not
depart from, and as I cannot do as
1 like, I am obstinate and stay at
home great deal"
The President, in writing to a
friend in Virginia regarding the
dignity of his position, said, God
knows it has no charms for me. I
had rather be at Mount Vernon
with friend or two about me, than
to be attended at the seat of gov
ernment by officers of state and rep
,Fesentatives of every power in Eu-
rope"
d Yet, as we are informed by the
.. United States George Washington
Bicentennial Commission, there was
no lack of gayety in either city with
ga continual round of balls, dinner
parties, theatres, concerts and other
diversions, and if the Chief Execu-
tive and his wife could not join in
the most exciting pastimes of the
capital, they could at least follow
their inclinations in many respects.
" In Colinal times there was pas
sion for gambling in certain quar-
ters, and bets were placed on all
games. Loo or as Washington some
times spelled it Leu" was the most
popular, and it was no common
thing for man or woman to win or
lose two or three hundred dollars
at a sitting. There is no record,
however, of Washington's winning
more than three pounds, or of los
ing more than nine pounds, fourteen
shillings and nine pence. In fact,
Washington always played for small
~ stakes. He seemed to be interested
in the game and the diversion it af-
'forded rather than i'll the winnings. !
:. Washington's fondness for cards |
and billiards shows in his dairy an
account where before he became
. President he often recorded that he |
had been "home all day at cards."
and itemized purchases of zone doz.
packs playing cards"
s Washington's natural fondness for
horses and racing and sometimes
cock-fighting during his life, was
entirely in keeping with the tradi-
tional tastes of the Virginia gentle
man. He not only subscribed liber-
ally to most of the racing purses,
but ran his own horses, attending in
person, and betting moderately on
all the results. He was fond of rid
ing to hounds, and when at Mount
Vernon this was one of his favor
ite pastimes.
He loved hunting and fishing and
dragging for sturgeon, too, and Of
ten went duck hunting. Although
these pursuits were for the most
part impossible while Washington
was in office, he did occasionally
manage to slip away. In 1890 pa
per records,
yesterday afternoon the Presi-
dent of the United States retur-
ned from Sandy, Hook and the
fishing banks, where he had
been for the benefit of the sea
air, and to amuse himself in the
delightful recreation of fishing.
+ We are told he has had excel
! lent sport, having himself
caught a great number of black
sea bass and black fish-the
weather proved remarkably fine,
which altogether with the salu-
brity of the air and wholesome
exercise, rendered this little
voyage extremely agreeable and
cannot fail we hope of being
serviceable to a speedy and
complete restoration of health"
Both the President and Mrs.
Washington were exceedingly fond ;
of the theatre in spite of the vigor-
Gus opposition accorded this art in
every state in the Union. During
his Presidency, Washington used
the theatre for entertaining, his
Eedger showing purchases of tickets
bought and sent to various ladies
and gentlemen with the invitation
to occupy a seat in his box.
IA They went to puppet shows, to
see dancing bears and to Mrs. Bow
ems wax-works at No. "a Water
Street, New York, and also attended
the circus where famed equestrian