Glasgow Weekly Times

WASHINGTON'S MARRIAGE IN 1759.

We learn that Mr. J. B. Stearns, a distinguished artist of New York, and lately from Europe, has been for some days at Arlington House, in this vicinity, engaged in making very beautiful and successful copies from the original pictures of Col. and Mrs. Washington, the one of the date of 1772, by Peale, and the other of 1759. by Woolaston, with a view to the painting of a large picture of Washington's marriage, founded upon the relation of the interesting event in the Custis recollection, and private memoirs of the life and character of Washington.

The scene is laid in the ancient parish church of St. Peter, county of New Kent a colony of Virginia, time 6th of January, 1759.

In the foreground, and near the altar, appears the Rev. Dr. Mossom, the officiating clergyman, in full canonicals; he is about to present the marriage-ring.

The bridegroom is in a suit of blue and silver, lined with red silk, embroidered waistcoat, small-clothes, gold shoe and knee-buckles, dress sword, hair in full powder. The bride in a suit of white satin, rich point lace ruffles, pearl ornaments in her hair, pearl necklace, ear-rings and bracelets, white satin high-heeled shoes, with diamond buckles; she is attended by a group of ladies, in the gorgeous costume of that ancient period. Near to the bridegroom is a brilliant group, comprising the vice-regal Governor of Virginia, several English army and navy officers, then on colonial service, with the very elite of Virginia chivalry of the old regime. The Governor is in a suit of scarlet, embroidered with gold, with bag, wig and sword; the gentlemen in the fashion of the time.

But among the most interesting and picturesque of the personages in the various groupes is Bishop, the celebrated body servant of Braddock, and then of Washington, with whom he ended his days after a service of more than forty years.

This veteran soldier of the wars of George II., forms a perfect study in the picture.

His tall, attenuated form and soldierly bearing, as with folded arms and cocked hat in hand, respectfully he has approached the bridal group, gives a touching interest to the whole scene. He is in a scarlet coat, and is booted and spurred, having just dismounted and relinquished the favorite charger of his chief to a groom.

Through the large folding doors of the church is seen the old-fashioned coach of the bride, drawn by six horses; also the fine English charger, bequeathed to Washington by Braddock, after the fatal field of Monongahela.

From the account of the marriage, handed down from those who were present at its celebration, it appears that the bride and her ladies occupied the coach, while the provincial colonel rode his splendid charger, attended by a brilliant cortege of the gay and gallant of the land.

Such was Washington's marriage, in 1759.—Alexandria Gazette.