probity and good faith." This difficult art, to carry into public life the morals and the sentiments that give grace to private character; to join sincerity and directness of personal deportment with effectiveness and force of political action; to gain the outward with neither soilure nor loss of a more sacred excellence within, seemed to be the native inspiration of those extraordinary men who formed the entourage of Washington. They were a band of "Happy Warriors," "Whose high endeavors were an inward light That made the path before them always bright, More skilful in self-knowledge, even more pure, Who, in a state where men are tempted still To virtue every triumph that they know." It has not been attempted in this too hasty performance to discuss any of those important questions of policy which were suggested or decided during the earlier administrations. The histories of affairs are sufficiently numerous and ample for the inquisitive student who would examine the claims which the statesmanship of Washington, Adams, Jay, Hamilton, Marshall, and their friends, on the one side, and that of Jefferson, Randolph, Giles, Paine, Madison, Monroe, and the rest of the opposition leaders, on the other, presents for our approval and imitation. But demeanor in the drawingroom was then at the seat of government a reflection of temper in the cabinet and the senate; and styles of living and conversation were continually referred to in public debates as evidences of political tendencies, and causes of apprehended political dangers. To illustrate the personal qualities of the chief characters of that time, by collecting these scant and fragmentary reminiscences of habit, feeling, and social condition, was therefore a task not less worthy of an inquirer respecting the rise of parties and opinions, than of a historian of civility. The founders and first administrators of our government were intellectually and morally far above the ordinary examples of human greatness. A fame as pure and splendid as theirs is among the rarest products of history. The central figure in that group of eminent personages was the Father of his Country, and it is de lightful to turn from the humiliating page in which is recorded the insults which he suffered for his virtues, to accounts which have come down to us of the honors he received from those who more justly appreciated his nature and his services. The select circle of official and private characters with whom Washington was most intimate, comprised an amount of respectability which perhaps was never in any royal or imperial court surpassed, and of this circle none ever approached him without being either fascinated by his grandeur or touched by his goodness. The higher domestic life of that period, as revealed in all we know of its refinement and elegance, its dignified courtesy and inflexible morality, can be contemplated with only a respectful admiration. It was in keeping with the frankness and sincerity of ascendant politics. Women unhesitatingly evinced their sympathies with whatever was generous and honorable in public conduct, but rarely if ever in forgetfulness of the requirements of feminine propriety. Though patriotic they were content to be women still, and were anxious for the distinctions of delicacy and grace. They perceived that it was their nobility not to be men, but to be women worthy of men. In possession of every right with which they were endowed by nature, they had no desire to exercise men's prerogatives. There were indeed some shameless females, not unwilling to exhibit mortification at having been created of a sex whose finer attributes were beyond their emulation, and all the poor stuff which this class now displays in periodical offences against decency, was spoken and written till it grew too stale even for derision; but these creatures were not in society; they were regarded only as curious monsters. Such wives as those of Washington, Adams, Jay, Wolcott, Bradford, and King, had no desire, as Montaigne expresses it, "to cover their beauties under others that were none of theirs." APPENDIX. I. PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF WASHINGTON, AS DESCRIBED BY SOME CONTEMPORARY FOREIGNERS. THE surpassing greatness of Washington was seen and felt by every one who was permitted to come into his presence. The stature and air of other eminent characters have frequently disappointed their expectations whose ideas had been formed by the fame of illustrious actions. With those who saw Washington this was never the case. Every thing about him gave assurance of a character altogether transcending the ordinary dimensions of humanity. We have descriptions of him by many foreigners who visited this country during his military or his political career, but unfortunately none by his most intimate, affectionate, and reverent friends, Lafayette, Luzerne, and some others, in the army, or in the earlier diplomatic service of France. From those that we have, however, a few are here transcribed. In the expedition under the Marshal Count de Rochambeau, which arrived in America in 1780, were Lieutenant General Count Mathieu Dumas, and Major General the Marquis de Chastellux, both of whom afterward attempted the portraiture of Washington in their Memoirs. DUMAS introduces him as follows: "GENERAL WASHINGTON, accompanied by the Marquis de Lafayette, repaired in person to the French headquarters. We had been impatient to see the hero of liberty. His dignified address, his simplicity of manners, and mild gravity, surpassed our expectation, and won every heart. After having conferred with Count Rochambeau, as he was leaving us to return to his head-quarters near West Point, I received the welcome order to accompany him as far as Providence. We arrived there at night; the whole of the population had assembled from the suburbs; we were surrounded by a crowd of children carrying torches, reiterating the acclamations of the citizens; all were eager to approach the person of him whom they called their father, and pressed so closely around us that they hindered us from proceeding. General Washington was much affected, stopped a few moments, and pressing my hand, said, 'We may be beaten by the English; it is the chance of war; but behold an army which they can never conquer.'" Afterwards the count conveyed to him some despatches, at Mount Vernon. "I recall the impressions which I received during the short stay that I made in the family of the deliverer of America. The brilliant actions of great men cannot fail to be recalled by history; the anecdotes of their private life are equally worthy of being preserved, because they often make us better acquainted with the principal traits of their character. The general gave me a most cordial reception. He appeared to be highly satisfied with the despatches which I delivered to him, in the presence of M. de Lafayette, Colonel Hamilton, his aid-de-camp, and Colonel Humphreys, who performed the duties of chief of the staff. He withdrew to confer with them. Being invited to dinner, which was remarkably plain, I had leisure to admire the perfect harmony of his noble and fine countenance, with the simplicity of his language and the justice and depth of his observations. He generally sat long at table, and animated the conversation by unaffected cheerfulness. Much was said of the treachery of Arnold, of the firmness and moderation with which the General had just suppressed the insubordination of the troops of the state of Pennsylvania, and lastly of the situation of Virginia, of the marches and counter-marches of Lord Cornwallis. I was particularly struck with the marks of affection which the General showed to his pupil, his adopted son the Marquis de Lafayette. Seated opposite to him, he looked at him with pleas are, and listened to him with manifest interest. One of the company, (if I remember rightly it was Colonel Hamil ton, who was afterwards so unfortunately and so prematurely snatched from the hopes of his country,) related the manner in which the General had received a despatch from Sir Henry Clinton, addressed to Mr. Washington. Taking It from the hands of the flag of truce, and seeing the direction, 'This letter,' said he, is directed to a planter of the state of Virginia. I shall have it delivered to him after the end of the war; till that time it shall not be opened.' A second despatch was addressed to his Excellency General Washington." The description of Washington by the Marquis de CHASTELLUX is endorsed by the anonymous translator, who was himself familiar with the Chief's personal appearance. He confesses that it is feebly rendered, but declares that "every feature, every tint, of the portrait, will stand the test of the severest scrutiny." "Here would be the proper place to give the portrait of General Washington; but what can my testimony add to the idea already formed of him? The continent of North America, from Boston to Charleston, is a great volume, every page of which presents his eulogium. I know, that having had the opportunity of a near inspection, and of closely observing him, some more particular details may be expected from me; but the strongest characteristic of this respectable man, is the perfect union which reigns between the physical and moral qualities which compose the individual; one alone will enable you to judge of all the rest. If you are presented with medals of Cæsar, of Trajan, or Alexander, on examining their features, you will still be led to ask what was their stature, and the form of their persons; but if you discover, in a heap of ruins, the head or the limb of an antique Apollo, be not curious about the other parts, but rest assured that they all were conformable to those of a god. Let not this comparison be attributed to enthusiasm! It is not my intention to exaggerate; I wish only to express the impression General Washington has left on my mind the idea of a perfect whole, which cannot be the product of enthusiasm, which rather would reject it, since the effect of proportion is to diminish the idea of greatness. Brave without temerity, laborious without ambition, generous without prodigality, noble without pride, virtuous without severity, he seems always to have confined himself within those limits, where the virtues, by clothing themselves in more lively but more changeable and doubtful colors, may be mistaken for faults. This is the seventh year that he has commanded the army, and that he has obeyed the Congress. More need not be said, especially in America, where they know how to appreciate all the merit contained in this simple fact. Let it be repeated that Condé was intrepid, Turenne prudent, Eugene adroit, and Catinet disinterested. It is not thus that Washington will be characterized. It will be said of him, at the end of a long civil war, he had nothing with which he could reproach himself. If any thing can be more marvellous than such a character, it is the unanimity of the public suffrages in his favor. Soldier, magistrate, people, all love and admire him; all speak of him in terms of tenderness and veneration. Does there then exist a virtue capable of restraining the injustice of mankind? or, are glory and happiness too recently established in America, for envy to have deigned to pass the seas? In speaking of this perfect whole, of which General Washington furnishes the idea, I have not excluded exterior form. His stature is noble and lofty; he is well made and exactly proportioned; his physiognomy mild and agreeable, but such as renders it impossible to speak particularly of any of his features, so that in quitting him you have only the recollection of a fine face. He has neither a grave nor a familiar air. His brow is sometimes Inarked with thought, but never with inquietude. Inspiring respect, he inspires confidence, and his smile is always the smile of benevolence." The Abbé ROBIN, a French priest attached to the army of Rochambeau as chaplain, and evi dently a man of education, refinement, and liberality, gives us the following sketch of Washing ton in his Nouveau Voyage dans l'Amerique Septentrionale, published in Paris in 1782. "I have seen General Washington, that most singular man- the soul and support of one of the greatest revolu tions that has ever happened, or can happen. I fixed my eyes upon him with that keen attention which the sight of a great man always inspires. We naturally entertain a secret hope of discovering in the features of such illustrious persons some traces of that excellent genius which distinguishes them from, and elevates them above their fellow mortals. Perhaps the exterior of no man was better calculated to gratify these expectations than that of General Washington. He is of a tall and noble stature, well proportioned, a fine, cheerful, open countenance, a simple and modest carriage; and his whole mien has something in it that interests the French, the Americans, and even enemies themselves in his favor. Placed in a military view, at the head of a nation where each individual has a share in the supreme legislative authority, and where coercive laws are yet in a great degree destitute of vigor, where the climate and manners can add but little to their energy, where the spirit of party, private interest, slowness and national indolence, slacken, suspend and overthrow the best concerted measures; although so situated, he has found out a method of keeping his troops in the most absolute subordination: making them rivals in praising him; fearing him even when he is silent, and retaining their full confidence in him after defeats and disgrace. His reputation has, at length, arisen to a most brilliant height; and he may now grasp at the most unbounded power, without provoking envy or exciting suspicion. He has ever shown himself superior to fortune, and in the most trying adversity has discovered resources till then unknown; and, as if his abilities only increased and dilated at the prospect of difficulty, he is never better supplied than when he seems destitute of every thing, nor have his arms ever been so fatal to his enemies, as at the very instant when they had thought they had crushed him for ever. It is his to excite a spirit of heroism and enthu Biasm in a people, who are by nature very little susceptible of it; to gain over the respect and homage of those whose interest it is to refuse it, and to execute his plans and projects by means unknown even to those who are his instruments; he is intrepid in dangers, yet never seeks them but when the good of his country demands it, preferring rather to temporize and act upon the defensive, because he knows such a mode of conduct best suits the genius and circumstances of the nation, and that all he and they have to expect, depends upon time, fortitude, and patience: he is frugal |