Evening star., 1933-09-17
BY CORTELLE ]. HUTCHINS.

COn NJ XNHA1Nos
Today is the anniversary of the max
ing of our national Constitution. a day
long urged as a legal holiday.
Unusual interest is being shown at
the Library of Congress by visitors to
the golden shrine where this historic
the president of the Constitutional
Convention. George Washington, show
ing almost as clear and strong as when
penned by him 146 years ago.
But turn now from the old familiar
story of Washington presiding over the
convention in Independence Hall at
Philadelphia Turn to side lights-to
those interesting personal experiences
of the man in that visit to the Quaker
City, quite outside the solemn conVen-
ton chamber.
He did not want to go to this con-
vention at all. He should not like to
be sharer in the business" If some
States were not represented or dele
gates were too 'fetted" to make the
radical changes in government needed.
Besides, he had the rheumatism so he
could hardly turn in bed. But his In
sistent friends accepted no excuse.
Leaves Mount Vernon.
Sunrise on Wednesday, May 9, 1887,
and a picturesque scene. George Wash
ington with his travelling equipage leav-
ing Mount Vernon and crossing the
Potomac to the Maryland shore. Slowly
they were ferried over-himself, MS
chariot and its two horses, his two
postillions, Giles and Paris, smart IN
new velvet caps and leather breeches,
his mulatto body servant. VIII, his rid
ing horses and his baggage.
Through rain and with severe SICK
headache, Washington travelled on till
the fifth day. Sunday the 18th. when,
escorted by many gentlemen on horse
back, the City Light Horse, and "a
great concourse of people," he entered
Philadelphia where roaring cannon and
Ginning bells greeted him. A spectac-
ular Sunday for Quaker Penn's city.
So came George Washington to the
Constitutional Convention.
Best Dressed Man.
About the first thing the travel-worn
general did was to send for the hair
dresser, for fresh hair ribbons, powder,
poWder-puff. and silk stockings. and to
get his coat mended. When once his
immaculate toilet was made, doubtless
he was the best dressed man IN the
convention. Not the most showily
dressed of course. for he diSliked con-
spicuous styles. But he demanded that
his clothes should ha Of the latest fash
ION; and his descriptive phrase ele-
gantly plain" sums up the best taste OF
all ages.
He was the hero of the people;
wherever he appeared on the streets
they surged after him. A member OF
the Pennsylvania Assembly. noting the
great throng that went to see Washing.
ton review the troops one day. added
that it was astonishing what multi
tude of people followed him everywhere
he went.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Morris insisted
on his moving from his lodgings" at
Mrs. Houses to their home. However,
he made some use of his room at Mrs.
Houses also, and he very frequently
ioined "a club" at the City Tavern or
the Indian Queen, or made one OF
comrany out to the public gardens at
Grays Ferry for tea or dinner. He
went on a few fishing excursions. and
YVES overrun with daily invitations Tor
dinners and teas in town and out at
the handsome country places OF MS
friends.
Sat for Portrait.
The convention met at 10 o'clock IN
the mornings and sat five. six or even
seven hours a day Before going 10
Independence Hall, Washington gave
few early morning sittings to two por-
trait painters. and topped the days on
with the constant round OF dinners
teas. theaters and rides INTO the
country. .. -,
To follow him in between times on
what he would call his personal ousl-
ness, in the CITY would lead oneto Hiltz-
heimer's stables. where his horses were
kept, and to the inspection and puI-
chase of a brown horse and dog; 10
hook stores for some $40 worth OF
hooks including the Marquis de Cnas,
teII,,x,s travels" "Hudibras" and
I,ord chesterfeld's Letters" to his
son. tn the jewelers. for seal with ms
cvnher upon it. watch ana ollei
r;eces to the amount Of $3.50; to stores
where he concentrated on noWeIsu "
rnuslins for Mrs. washington, 70 yaiuS yon
of black satin at cost OF over oioo'
shoes and gloves, ,- .,o conven-
ton adjourned to hear an ola.ioa' .,a ocA W..
ca os sion nv visiting "Dsctr. Shovat's Ana
to,,,ica1 ] figures" dining with the So
cietv of the Cincinnati "at Eppelees
Tavern" and drinking tea at Mr.. Fo"-
ellis.
Visited Valley Forge.
IN Monday. July 90, during a short
odiournment of the convention. WASH
;noton's horses were hitched to Cow
erneur Morris phaeton and the TWO
friends drove up to one Jane moore 5
in the vicinity of Valley Forge TO get
trout" But sentiment changed WASH
ington's plans on Tuesday. July 81. ne
wrote in his diary: Whilst Mr.. MOTIFS
was fishing. rode over the OLD cannon
ment of the American army OF tne
Winter TIT & 8, visited all the Wolks.
VIII. we're in ruins, and the incampments
in woods where the ground had not
been cultivated" l.,
Who can imagine Valley Forge IN
Sln,mer-shady trees. flowers, blros
singing? Vallev Forge is always un.
der snow, and the bleak winds drlVing!
The visit revived memories whose very
sadness seemed to draw him.
The trail that ended at Valley torge
had begun at White Marsh. And so,
another visit On September SUNDAY
I'm company with Mr.. Powell, RODE up
to the White Marsh. Traversed my olo IN
campments and contemplated on the
dangers which threatened the Amerl-
can Army at that place"
Despaired of Success.
During much of the convention Wash
ington almost despaired Of any success
full outcome to its labors, obstructed Dy
such a diversitv of ideas as prevail
But at last, on Monday. September H.
the engrossed Constitution was ready
for the signers. Although frankly ad-
mittine its imperfections, washington
was willing to sign the document. being
convinced that better one could not
be had then. and that it had as few
radical errors as could be expected,
considering the heterogeneous mass OF
which the convention was composed
and the diversity of interests that are
to be attended to-"