Evening star., 1948-02-23

a33 3 e
Gen. and Mrs. Washington, toith the
ton Parke and Nelly Gusts, and family
in the National Gallery OF Art.
I'm 1873 Joshua Brookes, a young English
man, came to the United States ON business
and remained here until 1903, during a1hich
time he kept journal OF his trGDels and
adventures. At the age of Is he, tpith ttuo
companions, paid a Uisit to George Washing
ton at Mount Vernon. The tollo,0ing extracts
from his journal, olp1aed by the New York
Historical Society, are reprinted by pern'is-
sion from the Mount Vernon Ladies Asso-
citation Report for 1947. All bracketed tert
inserted by the editor.)
February 4th 1881 Went with Samuel
Campbell and his brother Robert with letter
of introduction from General Irwin [probably
Brigadier General William Irvine] OF Phila-
delphia to visit General Washington. We ar
rived lat Mount Vermont on horseback about
IL and learnt from the servants that the
General was gone to take a ride. We amused
ourselves with viewing Negroes at work at the
back of the house in leveling the ground After
short time Mr.. [Tobiasl Lear his secretary,
came out and invited us in. We had before
been met by jolly white servant lin al white
cloth coat turned up with red and laced. Mr. l..
called for wine, of which we had glass each
lserved froml globular decanters; he then in
vited us to visit the drawing room. He then
| accompanied us into front small parlour. In
this was much charmed with the portrait of
Miss ["Nelly"l Custis and, upon inquiring
whose it was, was informed should see her,
that she lived with the General.
short time after our return to the sitting
room Miss c. was introduced to us by Mr. Lear,
who was called out for that purpose. She
sod j,, ,1x9i rriu
muslin tied around the waist with sky blue
silk cord with six round balls at the end, head
dress fillet round her head and hair hanging
down behind in ringlets between three turns
of the f1llet no powder, about it. high,
mdlin[g1 stature and size. Silk stockings.
Black shoes with large roses.
About half past two the General returned.
[He wasl dressed in a blue great coat, large
buttons, blue overalls and bespattered boots,
blue coat, coquelico cashmere waistcoat, blue
small cloathes, cooked hat with cockade. In
conversation he informed us his cloathes were
all of American manufacture. He bowed on
entering when Mr.. S[amuel] C[ampbelll pre-
sented his Introductory letter, desired us to be
seated, put on his spectacles, perused it and
again bowed. His demeanor formal, stiff
and reserved. He sat about five minutes, said
little. He mentioned he went to change his
dress, prior to which he introduced Mrs. WASH
ington [Who wasl dressed in Mazareen blue
satin gown with three belts over her handker
chief across the body about five feet high,
rather lusty than spare, of respectable appear
ance cheerful about 10 years of age mildnesS
and affability depicted In her countenance.
[Shel inquired for news said she was no poll
tician but liked to read the newspapers, wore
loose cap, her hair combed straight, gray
locks, sat about half an hour, when she went
out Upon our mentioning to each other that
we must return Ito town. when the General
came in, Miss Custis said we would stay to
dinner, tthatl twenty miles was too much to
ride without something. She went out, said
she would call the General and he soon came
in and with great familiarity and politenesS
requested our stay. I was willing but must do
as the Campbes did. He repeated it again, as
Samuel Campbell said, in SO polite manner
that it was just ready, that we accepted his
offer He is near six feet high, [has] roman
nose projection under chin, rough, weather.
beaten countenance healthy look, large hands.
He appears a reserved man butt became
pleasant, free and sociable at dinner, seems
naturally austere and reflective.
Portrait of Miss Custis.
The portrait of Miss Custis had given me a
strong impression in her favor that was
lessened when saw her, as 1t is too fiattering.
The same eve and nose remained that be-
speaks a more than common mind. She ap-
peared modest, well bred, intelligent and
sensible, [hasl a piercing eye, greclan nose,
made judicious remarks and conversed with
propriety A Mr.. Craig [Dr. James Cralk,
| Washington's family physician and Surgeon
General of the Revolutionary Army, his COM
patriot in arms and old and intimate friend"]
| came in from Alexandria, with whom she
seemed intimate and free but with us reserved.
She thinks memory brings to our recollection
more pains than pleasure, that whatever is, is
right. Mr. Craig seemed modest but awkward
| to strangers
Mr.. Lear was cautious in his remarks, said
very little and conversation when he only was
| present was dull. I understood Miss Custls
was going to be married to Mr.. [Lawrence1
| Lewis. which took place Ton Washingtons last
birthday, February 22 1891. OF the whole
Mrs. Washington and Miss Gusts pleased me
| most especially the former. Her ahablilty,
free manner and mild, placid countenance
| brought vividly to my mind my dear mother
| and think saw in both resignation to GOD
| with the pure spirit of religion, humility meek
! ness etc.
| We dined about four. Mrs. Washington at
the head [of the tablet, the General at her
right. Miss Custis on her left, next came,
| then Samuel CdIlppeli, MI. beai az oo'0oAt l'o
| the foot of the tablet, next him Robert
Campbell and then Mr.. Craig next Ito thel
! General At dinner I'VE were servedl VINE,
! porter and beer. After it we drank about three
glasses when we took our leave. The General
| and Lear came to the door and waited till we
were on our horses. The General gave no
| toasts, he had the horses brought to the door.
At dinner we had two pint globular decanters
on table, after dinner large wine glasses. Fort
was brought in claret bottles Wood fire, very
mean dogs inferior andirons].
The General enuuired If we had seen Gen.
eral [Alexander] Hamilton lately, was happy
| to hear he was well. Now for my companions:
Samuel Campbell seemed struck with awe. as
If he [werel not used to company, AWKWARD