New Hampshire Statesman And Concord Register

MISCELLANY.

WASHINGTON.

I remember my father telling me he was introduced to Washington in 1790, by an American friend. A servant, well-looking and well-dressed, received the visitants at the door, and by him they were delivered over to an officer of the United States' service, who ushered them into the drawing room, in which Mrs. Washington and several ladies were seated. There was nothing remarkable in the person of the lady of the President; she was matronly and kind, with perfect good breeding: she at once entered into an easy conversation, asked how long he had been in America, how he liked the country, and such other familiar but general questions. In a few minutes the General entered the room; it was not necessary to announce his name, for his peculiar appearance, his firm forehead, Roman nose, and a projection of the lower jaw, his height and figure could not be mistaken by any one who had seen a full-length picture of him, and yet no picture accurately resembled him in the minute traits of his person. His features, however, were so marked by prominent characteristics, which appear in all likenesses of him, that a stranger could not be mistaken in the man. He was remarkably dignified in his manner, and had an air of benignity over his features, which his visitant did not expect, being rather prepared for sternness of countenance. After an introduction by Mrs. Washington, without more form than common good manners prescribes, "He requested me," said my father, "to be seated; and taking a chair, entered at once into conversation. His manner was full of affability. He asked how I liked the country--the city of New-York; talked of the infant institutions of America, and the advantages she offered by her intercourse, for benefiting other nations. He was grave in manner, but perfectly easy. His dress was of purple satin. There was a commanding air in his appearance which excited respect, and forbade too great a freedom towards him, independently of that species of awe which is always felt in the moral influence of a great character. In every movement, too, there was a polite gracefulness equal to any met with in the most polished individuals in Europe, and his smile was extraordinarily attractive. It was observed to me that there was an expression in Washington's face that no painter had succeeded in taking. It struck me no man could be better formed for command. A stature of six feet, a robust but well proportioned frame, calculated to sustain fatigue, without that heaviness which generally attends great muscular strength, and always active exertion, displaying bodily power of no mean standard. A light eye and full--the very eye of genius and reflection, rather than of blind passionate impulse. His nose appeared thick; and, though it befitted his other features, was too coarsely and strongly formed to be the handsomest of its class.--His mouth was like no other that I ever saw; the lips firm, and the under jaw seemed to grasp the upper with force, as if its muscles were in full action when he sat still. Neither with the General nor with Mrs. Washington was there the slightest restraint of ceremony. There was less of it than I ever recollect to have met with where perfect good breeding and manners were at the same time observed. To many remarks Washington assented with a smile or inclination of the head, as if he were by nature sparing in his conversation; and I am inclined to think this was the case. An allusion was made to a serious fit of illness he had recently suffered: but he took no notice of it. I could not help remarking that America must have looked with anxiety to the termination of his indisposition. He made no reply to my compliment but by an inclination of his head. His bow at my taking leave I shall not forget. It was the last movement which I saw that illustrious character make as my eyes took their leave of him forever, and it hangs a perfect picture on my recollection. The house of Washington was in the Broadway, and the street front was handsome. The drawing room in which I sat was lofty and spacious; but the furniture was not beyond that found in dwellings of opulent Americans in general, and might be called plain for its situation.--The upper end of the room had glass doors, which opened into a balcony commanding an extensive view of the Hudson river, interspersed with islands, and the Jersey shore on the opposite side. A grandson and daughter resided constantly in the house with the General, and a nephew of the General's, married to a niece of Mrs. Washington's, resided at Mount Vernon, the General's family seat in Virginia--his residence, as President, keeping him at the seat of government."

The levee held by Washington, as President, was generally crowded, and held on a Tuesday, between three and four o'clock. The President stood and received the bow of the person presented, who retired to make way for another. At the drawing rooms, Mrs. Washington received the ladies who curtsied & passed aside without exchanging a word. Tea and coffee with refreshments of all kinds were laid in one part of the rooms, each lady was a second time led up to the lady President, made her second silent obeisance, and departed--nothing could be more simple, yet it was enough.

Lond. New Monthly Mag.