Evening Star Newspaper, February 20, 1892, Page 9

THE FOXHALL TOWN HOUSE. SOME OLD LANDMARKS: The House Where Henry Forhall Made His Home. MEN OF NOTE AS GUESTS. Jefferson and His Violin—Francis Scott Key Stories of the Fa- mous Gun Founder of 1812—HisTown House and President A in Georgetown. junction of the Canal, public men of that period. It was the summer house of Henry Foxhall, the govern- ment cannon founder, who dispensed a gener- ous hospitality from his ample means. Here the famous gun founder spent his summers from 17 until his death in 18; the original b: . when he ca he frame frout wa and was on the plxc when Mr. Foxball purchased it in 1799, an even then it was old building. Th brick part was erected by him the following ar. His front porch furnished « splendi ew of the Potomac and the Maryland an¢ Virginia and his gun shop wa: FOXHALL’S SUMMER RESIDENCE. branch. The latter buildings —_ art still standing and were described in one of my sare yet visible on the stream, one near beavy guns used by us in the war of 1512 were made at these shops, Foxhall himself superin- tending their manufacture. Though a Priton by birth, 2e was stench supporter of our government in its war with Great Britain. At that time Georgetown College, over to the east- ward. was in successful operation, it having deen established in 1739. THE OLD FOXHALL RESIDEXCE. The old Foxhall residence, now quite dilapi- dated, is at present occupied by a dairyman named Hunter. Though now forsaken and neglected it was once the center of much gayety. Attractive trees and flower gardens surrounded it on every side. Foxhall. who was public spirited and patriotic, had many friends among the prominent men of the and being a man of means and hospitable his house was the resort of many celebrities. Thomas Jefferson, his intimate friend, who was instrumental in bringing him to the seat of government, was a fre- quent visitor at Spring Hill In that generation the violin was a popular instrument, and no young man's education was considered complete who could not perform on it. Mr. Jefferson's education in this regard was not ueglected. He was an enthusiastic violinist and bore the reputation of being one of the best amateur performers of the day. When Burgoyne s army, as prisoners of war, were encamped near Monticello Jefferson ar- ranged many agreeable musicales. for the en- tertainment of the officers, being himself a ebief performer. Among the Britishers was a noted violinist, who played duets on the violin with the host on those occasions, and he de- clared Jefferson to be the best amateur he had ever heard. Years did not chill Mr. Jefferson's enthusiasm for his favorite amusement. In Foxhall’s house was a fine od English fiddle that Jefferson took 4 great fancy to, and, during his visits to Spring Hil, be would sit on the veranda and manipu- je its merry, melodious strings for hours at a SOME OF FOXHALL'S FRIENDS. Jobn Quincy Adams, Gouverneur Morris and Francis Scott Key, author of the “Star Spangled Banner,” were also frequent guests at Spring Hill. by the way, I'am told that Foxhall and Key were members of the tirst Bible class organized in the District. Probably uo President of the United States, before or sice his time, with the single ex- ception of Washington, took as deep an interest in the affairs of the District of Columbia as did the blunt, independent and WATER ” if the road, says the ere never “smothered.” He enjoyed the | 0! Confidence of his fellow citizens toa marked | now when degree, and was mayor of Georgetown at one ENFORCING GEORGETOWS Mr. Foxhall was a conscientious, earnest | of him in complimentary terme. eo nd during his term of office a8| says, was m conscientious man and ea cathe. mayor the ordinances of the town which pro- | siast on som vided against the profai were strictly enforced. “goealled) which herited from Maryland, wei and it took a man of Mr. \ character to enforce them. A few of the offenses against which he waged relentless war | may be mentioned. ive dollars was the penalt; | hunting or fishing on the Sabbat! was allowed on the Lord’s day except the sell- resh fish, milk and other perishable Cock fighting and drinking when in- dniged in by freemen were punished by a fine 5. was the offender p ceived thi ber fadprarss on the bare back ina|®nd scored by him in forty-two moves. the Sabbath oa Sunday laws | © large business, employing many people, he jeorgetown in- decidedly severe, *Foxhall’s. force of | Mente, THE NORTHEAST angle formed by the Conduit and Foxhail roads, which was known as Spring Hill in old times, stands an old house, which, nearly = century ago, was the =. resort of many of our FOXHALL'S TOWN HOUSE. His “town house." as it was called, which | On this account the number of days of play bas was occupied by him during the winter, was| been reduced to three per week, instead of noted for its hospitality. Here gathered the nd learning of the day. standing, but shows the hard knocks — be scen at the foot of 34th (old Frederick) & -etentious house it was, its high ceilings and orately decorated cornices of minute workman- ship.and above all the mantels ot carved wood. It commanded an snobstructed view of the river, far and near, its ample grounds extend- ing nearly to the water's brink. The building is now used as a residence by three or four In front, in the olden time, stood two tall and graceful Lombardy poplars. In those days—thirty years betore the canal was constructed—this was the fashionable end the town, and what is now known"as Water t K street was then called “West Landing.” SUTER’S TAVERN. Three blocks east of here, on the west side of Congress (31st) street, was the popular public house of the place—Suter’ Washington and other celeb habit of stopping when visiti It was in this tavern that President Washing- ton (coming over from Philadelphia, then the government,) and joners met the proprietors of the land of the national capital, when an agreement was entered into by whicli the title to the land was acquired by the gpv- And. by the way, there was some in by some of the owners of the land over the appraisers. Pretty much Scenes were witnessed then as enacted these days by the property owners , along Rock creek. One of the proprietors, eee ae Ge ee ee ‘a son of the founder of the jown, went so far as to appeal to King George of England for protection against the “confis- for the time, wit! from Philadelphia, ; Tavern—where ies were in the dside Sketches” recently printed in Tue | él = . cation” of his property. ee ee en ae rel ak te cvires ta Che onal elds 08 Hie ‘he mouth of the Lydecker water tunnel and | (32d) street, in the days when it was lawful to ther atthe Potomac’s edge Many of the, barter in human flesh, stood the Georgtown slave pen, with prominent placards on the high walls notifying the public that “Blank & Co. advanced money on slaves and had con- fies of Virginia negroes on sale or ¢ site of the pen is now occupied by a police station, being on the north side of the canal. The next building toit on the north was, in the days of hand engines, the home of the old Georgetown Fire Company. Before the erection of the bridge across the ally instituted by Gen. fore the dawn of the pres- ent century) Was operated between George- town and Mason’s Island,on the Virginia side. | 33 ‘The Georgetown end of the ferry was at the foot of High street. the present site of the club house of the Columbia Boat Club. WATER STREET. Water street is the oldest business street in the District, and the appearance of the old thoroughfare today indicates hoary old age. Many of the buildings are a century and a half old, and before Washington city was ‘dreamed of « heavy foreign trade was carried on along the river front. Large vessels, laden with East Indian goods, crowded the wharves. For the past decade or two business has languished treet, but everything now points to & great revival of business in the near future. river a ferry (orij George Mason just be aroused from its slumbers by the rupid ste of the iron horse ax he plunges along the stree Quaint old Water street, as a reminder of other days and asa type of 4 former civilization, is STREET K, GEORGETOW im the according tothe canons and consti- tution of the M church.” His third wife was Miss ret Holland, to om he was married on November 4, 1816, at star had one Rasen 2 cy executed . disposing of his Phila- delphia foundry y property, ane of the witnesses to which being Thomas Corcoran, the father of the late W. W. Corcoran, who was thena jus- tice of the peace. ‘On the northern limit of the Forhall s jammer piace, on the New Cut road, a little west of foundry branch and near the mouth of the notorious Lydecker water tunnel, stands the famous old tulip tree, which, for generations it, has been known ‘by the name of “Dolly bour.” The origin of the name is now lost in obscurity, but it was doubt less derived from some popular woman of the olden time, and must havea romantic history. The tree is truly a landmark, being frequently referred to in the old land’ conveyances of acentury or mote ago. It is considerably more than a hun. dred years old, but, with the exception of one side of the trunk, which has been burned out, it looks to be as vigorous today as it was. Mr. Lazarus Wetzel, now in the ninetieth Year of his age, who lives in the old house north was as large as it is was a boy. Mr. Wetzel, by the way, when a young man worked in Foxhall’s foundry down on the river, and he talks enter- tainingly of his old-time experiences. He re- members Henr@Foxhall very well and he subjects. He was honest and just with men, and although he did in his dealin; owed no mana doliar. He was prompt in pay- ing off his workmen, usually making coin pay- Groror Simmons, ——__ THE CHESS WORLD. ‘No trading | The Havana Match—Solving Tourney Award— Problems, Games, Notes. The score in the great match is again tied, standing 8 to 8 with four draws. Thelast game was a Zukertort's opening, begun by Steinitz ‘Tschigorin was ill for several days last week and Steinitz is still troubled with insomnia. four, as has been the rule in the past. PROBLEM No. 92 (TOURNEY No. 5). (Composed for The Evening Star.) White to play and mate in two (2) moves. PROBLEM No. 93 (TOURNEY No. 6). (Composed for The Evening Star.) AND SOLVERS. Keys are B. 6 poin No. 85 (88) Tourney Ki. F x id by F ‘ourney No. 1 received from Bs ©. Dunham, (5), J. CoM. (3), ‘Two fine games from the Steinitz-Tschigorin match. GAME No. 40_Fifth in the match. EVANS GAMBIT. Biack—Steinitz. GAME No. 42—Ninth in the mateb. EVANS GAMBIT. White—Tschigorin. p “est re Kt P-K4 18 P-1 ‘P-QEt 3 Ents gaces 19 P-Qk3. BR 3 3 B-B4 BA 20 Kt-Qz Kt-k4 4P. gute BxktP 21 B-Kt HS 5 P-BS BK ‘22 Kr-B2 KKt-Kt2 600 P-Q3 23 Kxk Kxk Soe Sys | |B RG REESE Pha a9 36 Ke P-Bs 10 = P-KR3 27 Ktx Ktxkt ahch | OxB SsK-bt | KREBS Bch okgrxe [Son | etes ete BB PBS -K2 Kt-Q3 34 P-ERS ‘And the game was abandoned as drawn, ‘THE FIRST SOLVING TOURNEY. The contest has been very close and inter- esting. Every one of the thirty-two problems in the tourney were solved by but nine com- titors, of whom Messrs. A. V. Gi and F. Cooley scored the most points (37 out of a sible 40). Miss Henrietta C. Morrison and ir Rudolph H. Ezdorf stand next with 36 points exch. The other scores among the nine who made unbroken records are: I. Y. Knight, 35 points; Sam C. Dunham, 34; Geo. Heintz and M. Cumming, 83, and E. M. Borlett, $2, ‘The scoresof the other competitors are all be- low 82. CORRESPONDEXCE. Composers are again informed that problems will not be examined unless accompanied by solutions. H.C. Painter. Considerable latitude will be allowed in the use of the word “variation” in this tourne; . G. W., city. Youcan procure the problem collection you mention from Prof. 0. A. Brown- son, Rockdale, Dubuque county, Iowa. NOTES, The leading scores in the home tourney are: O'Farrell, 9—1; Knight, 9-3; Macfarland, 5—3; Gwyer, 66. ‘ es ‘The arrai ts for the tel match between New York and New Oriente nee being _THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C, SATURDAY, WASHINGTON’S YOUTH. An Authentic Statement of Facts Concerning His Early Career, HIS SCHOOLBOY Days. Little Known of His Childhood—His Method- feal Ways as = Youth—Extracts From His | he Journale—His Neatness of Dress and study of Deportment—Habits and Character. —_——__ Pant L Written for The Evening Star by Dr. J. Mf. Toner. ABITS MAKE THE man; manners, the gentleman; reason, Judgment and enter- Prise, with well-directed | su: industry, the success- ful and exemplary citizen. Is genius in- nate or acquired and iw it possible in the child life of an indi- vidual to discover in- dications.of capabilities 3 and of character? Dress, education and the conventionalities of an age give almost as much sameness to the conduct and appearance of s people as does the brick- maker's mold to the clay he works. Want of intercourse with the world influences not only the customs, but the mental and physical characteristics of communities, causing them to become almost as uniform as the dress they wear. Nevertheless it is, I apprehend, uni vanity to think ourselves endowed with special talents and so commendable that they ought to be indulged. Many, though quite deficient in energy and perseverance, Beheve thoy have great aptitude for the affairs of life; superior, indeed,. to their neighbors, which’ they could demonstrate if they tried or had the opportunity. People acquire the routine of every-day life almost automatically, but under varying de- grees of moral concepts, ethical culture, and notions of obligations and duty. Nevertheless, implanted in the minds of all is the idea of grenter than themselves and an admiration for the leader, the seer and the prophet. No clime. age or race has an exclusive prerogative to either the genius, the mental powers, the virtues or the vices which distinguish a People and alone elovate or degrade nations. Yet while there is great sameness, when the race is viewed as a unit, among individuals are much diversity of brain power and aptness for pur- suits, with degrees of reason and self-control which lie at the foundation of all the virtues. It is not my purpose to inquire into the mysteries of that divinity “that shapes our ends,” but to look backward and discuss some of the factors essential to greatness and which it is conceived must be either inborn or ac- quired in very early childhood. From time to time characters possessing, to a phenomenal degree, the heroic and philanthropic virtues spring unexpectedly and without special train- ing into prominence and become leaders of the world. George Washington, whose birth we com- memorate today, was one of the most con- spicuous illustrations of this fact in histor Many believe he was exprossly created, pre- served and directed by Providence for the special work he performed for his country. A People may have surprises of this mature, but rovidence is methodical and has no accidents. WASHINGTON’S CHILD LIFE. Was the child life and early youth of George Washington entirely commonplace and without indication of the greatness of the coming man? We think not. It would be hazardous to at- tempt to fix the age in days, months or yeurs in the life cf en ‘individual when impressions for good or evil may first be made as object lessons and which exercise a domiuating influ- ence in after life. It is believed precepts im- bibed in early youth possess a controlling in- fluence over actions in mature and even in old age. Ifthe theory be correct that much of what is greatest in great men may be traced to the nobility of character in their mothers what @ debt of gratitude the world owes to that worthy Virginia matron, Mary Washington. From his tenderest years his teacher by ex- ample and precept was his firm, tender and sensible mother, to whose benign influence he attributed whatever of virtue he possessed. We know less of the child life of George Washington than we could wish. The family Bible records George's birth and baptism. Up to his father's last sickness, when Gvorge, then in his eleventh year, was sent for at the dying man’s request, his name is rarely refered to except by his school teachers or by his mother and brothers. ‘The desire to supply incidents to illustrate this period of his life led one of his first biographers to draw somewhat largely, L apprehend, upon his fancy. ly desire is to assemble some data relative to the youth, habits and personal characteristics of George Washington. His services as patriot and statesman are familiar to all. 418 SCHOOL TEACHERS. Biographers furnish the names of two of George's school teachers; it is, however, prob- able that he had others. The first wasa Mr. Hobby, a tenant of his father’s, who was also sexton of the parish Oberwharton in Stafford county, Va., and taught in one of the “old field school houses” near by. George's studies un- der him were, of course, of the simplest kind, as roading, writing and ciphering, but the bright boy bad at the same time the moral in- fluence of a good home and the example and instruction of conscientious parents. He was not born to or reared in any enervating luxu- ries or the to effeminacy or evil environ- ments. Parental influence and his echool tasks satisfied his demands and prepared him for the self-denials and hardships of the surveyor's tent, the frontier cabin and the camp of the patriot soldier, The other teacher, Mr. Williams, conducted ® more advanced school in Westmoreland, to which George was sent shortly after his father's deat ing meantime with his half where George was born, on Pope's creek. It was at this school that he made his greater advances and acquired his proficiency in mathematics and em surveying. | Notwithstanding the embarrass. ment of # limited education by force of genius and manly perseverance he supplied the def. ienclos, and discharged with distinguished ability thetrusts of as heavy responsibilities as ever rested upon any man. Ass pupil he was noted for his punctual attendance, orderly con- duet, devotion to study and his popularity with his echool-fellows, He was the preferred um in their disputes, the leader in their sports of running, leaping, wrestling, pitching the bar and other games. ‘HIS BROTHER LAWRENCE. When George was between seven and eight years of age his half brother Lawrence re- turned from England with a good education He possessed fine, manly figure, and was the ideal of George, who saw in him the model man of business, with the manners of a gentleman. Lawrence, although fourteen years older than George, looked with admira- tion upon his brother, whom he found com- panionable much beyond what his age might suggest, and whose expanding intellect and rfeot rectitude “of character merited his ighoat regard. tis probable that the ensign’s commission in the British aavy procured for George in 1746 was obtained Maj. Lawrence Washington and his friends, but doubtless the _orgertelelepgheenlamaer peat to be won, acquiesced in their views and wot have gone into navy service had not his mother objected. Washington was already an ad- vanced pupil in the school of self-control, and ve no outward evidence of disappointment at mother’s decision. No sulks or poutings; no attempts to run away home and go to sea in defiance of maternal authority, but for another year or more he continued at school under the smmediate influence of his mother and his elder brothers. Throughout all of F i e i E & a if “Rules of Civility and Decent Bebaviour,” to be found in “‘A Journal of My Journey Over the Mountains,” begun Mareh il, 1747-8, when was just one month over sixteen years of age. Washi held a commission from illiam and College as public surveyor. A record of this fact was at Court H Jul; 1749, but it is he Scr ieae Mikes Ripe rset ous performances at the all contemporaries. Washi attained his full stature before his twentieth year, was an athlete of the first order—tall, ani Graceful carringe. Ho was askillful horseman, fond of field sports and accustomed to vigor- ous and prolonged exertion. ‘HEIs DRESS AND MANNER. ‘He was neat and careful in his dress, but not the least inclined to foppishnese. Whatever he made use of or wore he wished to be in good taste and the best of its kind. He was fond of children, considerate of the feelings of others, kind and liberal to servants, punctual to en- gagements, circumspect in hisintercourse with people in general, pninstaking und explicit in is business transactions, A‘memorandum in his journal of 1748 gives minute directions to his tailor, which begins as follows: ‘Have my coat made by the following directions to be made a Frocke with Lapel Breast.” &c. The memorandum is long and very specific in its directions. Nor did he neglect to study what was becom- ing in manners and deportment, as is mani fested in his version of the ‘Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour,” of whove underlying principles he was master in « high degree. “His abit of noting his personal expenses bas pro- served for usthefoliowing fact: “September 10, 1748, cash, 10 shillings aid the music Master for my entrance to the dancing class.” July 17, 1758, he opens an account against Mrs. Mary Washington. There are many charges in this account, chiefly for money lent his mother annually or oftener to the close of her life. Beneatin the last entry is written: “Settled.” Washington grasped a knowledge of the prac- Heal and useful affairs in lize almost by intui- ion. ‘BIS INTEREST IN AGRICULTURE, His earliest recorded observations on the value of lands, the quality of timber, the pro- ductivencss of the soil, &c., in his journal, illus- trate the maturit of his min “Sunday, March 13, 1747-8. Rodetohis Lordship’s Quar- ter about 4 Miles higher up ye river, we went through most beautiful Groves of Sugar Trees & spent ye best part of ye Day in admiring ye nd. Washington wasan enthusiasticadmirer of the grand and sublime in nature and was, ag his diaries show, specially observant of the beau- tiful native trees which were to be met with in our forests, never beingata loss to tell with pre- cision where the finest specimens of the various species were to be found. Later in life when he was embellishing the lawn and grounds of Mount Vernon he took pains to transplant to them hundreds of select specimens of the grandest indigenous trees of our country, from near and remote localities, noted either for their effect in the landscape, their shade, graceful forms, beauty of bud, leaf, blossom or fruit or for the variety of their autumnal tints. UNDERGOING HARNSHIPS. While his engagements ns a surveyor brought him many opportunities for observing the grandeur of nature, they also imposed numer- ous hardships and privations. Ona spare leaf in his journal is the draft of a letter, without date, but written in 1748, to “Dear Richard,” in which he describes some of his discomforts. He writes: “Nothing would make it pass of tolerably but a good reward, a Doubbleioon is my constant gain every Day that the weather will permit my going out and sometimes six Pistoies.” From the tore of this and the dratts of other letters in the same book, to youthful friends, it isevident he at first felt sorely his isolation and want of companionship. But there is no intimation anywhere that he lacked the fortitude or perseverance necessary to bear the privation or perform the duties he had undertaken. Early in life he manifested the fixed determi- nation toearn more than his expenses that he might at all times have the means to help others and forward his own plans. Washing- @ remembered, want of habitatious the surveyors were obliged ‘© camp out in improvised tents. His journal, under date of “March 31, 1748,” has the follow- ing record: “Early this Morning one of our Men went out with ye Gun & soon returned with two Wild Turkies wo then went to our Business run of three Lote & returned to our Camping place at stumps.” As illustrating his fortitude and perseverance, the draft of the following letter toa youthful friend in the fall of 1748 may be quoted: “I have not sleep’d above three Nights or four in abed but after Walking a good Weal all the lay down before ire upon a Little Hay Straw Fodder or bearskin whichever is to be -had.”—[Journal of My Journey Over the Mountains, p. 63.) It will be remembered that at the time this journal was written the country west of the ‘Blue Ridge was the home and hunting ground of the Indian. In March, 1748, a war party of Indians, re- turning from the south, with one scalp, stopped at the surveyors’ camp for the night, aud were induced, for a bottle of rum, to give an exhibi- tion of their war dance.—[Journal of My Jour- Over the Mountains.) “inte following memorandum from this jour- nal, without date, but probably made in 1749, shows George's solicitude for the business in- teresta of his brother Lawrence, who had gone to England chiefly on the business of the “Ohio Company:” “When I see my Brother Austin to Enquire of him whether he is the Acting Attorney ior my Brother and as my Brother Lawrence left Directions with the Hon. W. Fx to remit his Pay as Adjutant whether it would not be more proper to pitto Pay the Notes of Hand that's Daily coming against him and to Write Word to Williamsburg to Acquaint his Hon: my B: A: to write him word.” ‘HIS BUSINESS HABITS. Still more characteristic of young Washing- ton isthe following record in 1748: “Memo- random to charge Mra, Ans, Washington with 4-9 and 18d the 30 of July to a Maryland House- wife asalio Major Law: Washington with 1-3 lont 15 of August 5-9 the 17 002-6 Do: 1 read tothe Reign of K: John In the Spectators Rom a emall dlapidated led ably th nN r, ° firat opened by George Washingion, imay ‘be found accounts against the following named eightoen persons. Their names, with the years in which the entries were made, are here given in alphabetical order: Mr. Richard Barnes, 1749; Mr. William Bernard, 1749; Charles Car- ter Junr.. 1750; George Fairfax Esgr., 1748; Mr. James Hunter, 1750; Mr. John Lewis, 1743; Darby McKeaven—Great Cacapehon, 1750; William Miller of Lost River of Cacapehon, 1750; Mr. Thomas Turner of 1748; Mrs. Aun Washington, 1748; Augustine Washington, 1748; Mr. Baily ‘Washington, 1747; Mr. John West Junr., Fairfax, 1149. The following accounts against his brother Lawrence and his sister-in-law, Aun Washing- ton, made up as they are of small items, show his methods as well as his notions of exact jus- Farad 2, id. of | to 1892-SIXTEEN PAGES. Sarthe Bee badness tas onl meted we ly and had a appreciation the valne of fe credits bimeelf in this dook with et ED Romagna eg ep cam ee with bis This habit of charging him- self with losses at carde and other games was continued his life. These extracts from George W: a early business ec- he bi himself eseoseek ter . ret: Te = i oe so gat orale, usually ‘an inch and e bait broad, divided and are f lures relating to surveving, navigation, trigo- Rometry, &c., used chiefly by surveyors. ‘48 A LETTER WRITER. Tt bas been said and with much troth that Washington was a slave to bis pen. Springing from his habit of explicitness of detail in en- terprises and intimately connected with this marked trait was his custom of taking notes and making records of observed facts relating mattersin which he was interested. On the value of approved methods b wrote, “Contracts not reduced to writing are | party.” Though he was notan essayist or a Writer of books, he was one of the most felici- tous letter writers in history. Nearly every subject of practical interest to & people ina new country—such as farm man- agement and productions, commerce, mven- tions, manufactures and the right of the peo- ple to choose their own form of government and rulers—engaged his attention and are dis- cussed with great ability. His earliest business letter of which I have any knowledge is one from the valley of Vir- ginia, May 5, 1749, to his half brother, Law- rence Washington, at the time a member of the house of burgesses, and is direeted to Wil- liamsburg. In this letter matters of much importance to his mother and to his father's estate he dis- cusses in « familiar and comprehensive manner d points out the great injury a proposed new fetry would be to their piantation, and hopes the ‘assembly will not authorize its establish- ment at the place proposed. While in ordinary Dusiness matters he could safely rely on chisown judgment, in those re- quiring the technical knowledge of a lawyer he never failed to employ one, as is attested by the many fees to attorneys entered in his cash book. His fees as a surveyor and bis salary as adjutantgeneral puthim in possession of funds. It was apparent to all who knew him and ob- served his aptitude for and his attention to business that he was sure toget on in the world. As early as 1750 George Washington became the owner of, at least, two tracts of land in Frederick county, Va.,and from this time on he was more or ‘less extensively en buying, patenting, selling and leasing lands. A decline in the Lealth of Lawrence Washing- ton led him to throw much of his private busi- ness upon George, who was not only capable, but desirous also of relieving him. BIS FIRST MILITARY COMMISSION. In the spring of this year Lawrence re- signed the office of adjutant general, with the rank of major, which he held in one of the four military divisions into which Virginia was then districted, and it is suppesed he w instrumental in having George appointed his successor, with a salary of £150 a year. ‘The duty of the office was the organization, equip- mentand drilling of the milidia in his district. | This appointuent is good evidence of the | early maturity of both his mind and boy as | well as of tle correct and orderly habits of | ive the governor | and council could not have felt justified in bis | George Washington, othe selection for so important an office while he Was still under age. With his usual conscien- tiousness he immediately set about qualifying himself for the proper discharge of his duties. For months he made a rigid study of tactics, the use of the sword and the evolutions of cav- alry. In this study be received iystructions from Adjutant Muse of Westtuoreland county and Jacob Van Braum of Fredericksburg, bot of whom were capable and had served with Maj.Lawrence Washington in the Carthagenian expedition. Up to this time, beyond the tra- Gitional tales of his school boy drills, there is no evidence of his having given any special at- tention to the study of arms. Lhis was idleness cumstances, Papel po goo +02 | keting the crop. | for remunerati: | In this wi | without any trouble. When the | they are secure from cold and vermin. With out issue Mount Vernon and other property business, and could not bear to be unemployed. Late in in giving advice toa young gen- tleman ry the “pecesaity of employment. he & is disreputable under any cir- ey! |, even when MUSHROOMS FOR THE FAMILY. Dr. Thomas Taylor Tells How They May Be Grown With small Expense and Trouble. HE USEFULNESS OF MUSHROOMS AS An article of diet is very earnestly advo- cated by the Department of Agriculture. Dr. ‘Thomas Taylor will contribute a on the subject to the forthcoming report of the Secretary. He says: yw remarks “In the most progressive of all countries mushroom growing, one of the simplest and ‘most remunerative of industries, is almost un- known, Mushrooms are a healthful food. No ‘one can grow them better or more economically than the farmer, He has already the cellar room, the fresh manure and the loam, and all he needs is some spawn with which to plant the beds. Nothing is lost. The manare, after having been used in mushroom beds, is not e: hausted of its fertility, but is well rotted and in better condition to apply to the land than it | was betore being used for the fungus crop. The farmer will not feel the little labor it takes. “There is no secret whatever connected with mushroom culture and skilled labor is not nec- eneary to make it successful. The common farm band can do the work, which consists m turning the manure once every day or two for about three weeks and then building it into a bed. planting it with spawn and covering it with mold. Neatly all the labor for tbe next ten or twelve weeks is expended in maintaining even temperature and in gathering and mar- Many women are searching and pleasant employment on the farm. What can be more interesting and Profitable work for them than mushroom growing? “After the farmer has made up the mushroom bed his wife or daughter can attend to its man- agement with scarcely any tax upon her time and without interfering with other domestic duties. It is clean work, too. No lady in the land would hositate to pick mushrooms in the open,field. How much less, then, should she hesitate to gather the fresh’ fungi from the cleau beds in her own clean cellar. Mushrooms are a winter crop: ycome when they are most needed. ‘Ihe supply of eggs in the cold season is limited aud pin money often propor- | Honately short. The market mand for mush- rooms all winter long is insatiable at good Prices, so that no farmer's wife need care whether the hens lay eggs at Christmas or not. When mushroom growing is intelligently con- ducted there is more mouey in it than in hens, with less trouble. “The celiar of @ dwelling house is a capital place for mushroom beds. A private family Which desires to grow only afew of the fungi for its own use may partition « part of the cel- | lar with boards and make the bed within the inclosure, or a bed may Le constructed along the wail and boxed in to protect it from cold | draughts and from mice and rate. Bear in |mind that mushrooms thrive best ina tem- perature of trom fifty to sixty degrees, and if you can give them this in your house cellar you ought to get plenty of good mushrooms. Sup- posing that the natural temperature of the eel- r is not warm enough, the necessary heat may be supplied by boxing up the bed or by spreading a piece of old carpet or matting over | the boxing. “The beds may be made upon the floor, flat or banked aguinst the wall, ten or twelve | inches deep, ina warm cellar, three feet wide and any length desired. Box of any kinds of boards for being built about six to ten inc! may consist s and ends, higher than | the top ot the beds, so asto give ine mush- rooms plenty of room. The top of the bi may be a lid, hung on hinges or str made of light lumber, say of “halt-inc , by opening ihe lid, the observation and are uni cs id is shut George Washington's first military com- | this protection supplied the cellar cau be ven- mission, The duties which this office | tilated wituout interfering imposed and the studiee which it led | Washington to make may have awakened | their Most | congenial -exercise in the benefits they con-! when rightly managed they emit in his mind dreams which foun ferred in after dayg upon his country. Hi mind bad broadened with years and the inter- course he had had with active business men, 68 that at twenty he was well fitted for an larged field of duty and responsibility. M18 TRIP TO BARBADOES. For relief to his pulmonary trouble Lawrence Washington was advised by his physician to spend the winter in Barbadoes, which he re- solved todo. It was his desire and it was like- wise counseled by all his friends that George should accompany him. ‘This course, it was seen, would oblige George to give up his ver; sitisfactory and profitable engagement wit Lord Fairfax, but this he at once concluded to do. It was, indeed, but an opportunity for George to exerciso one of his uoblest traits of character—gratitude. The brothers were ar- dently attached to each other, and no request Lawrence could have made would George, for amoment, have hesitated to grant. They took passage upon a vessel freighted with Virgitia products, which sailed from the Potomac September 28, 1751, aud landed safely November & at Bridgetows, in Carlyle Island of Barbadoes. This wus the only tim George Washington was ever bevond the bounds of what is now the United Staten. As was his custom he began ajournal and noted oversthing of interest occurring on the voyage and during his stay upon the island. ‘The daily entries, except for a period of two weeks while he suffered from an attack of smallpox, were uninterrupted until his return to Mount Vernon. STUDYING NaviGaTiox. He had studied the theory of navigation in connection with surveying, so he ac- voyage for = pi knowledge. He copied the ship's log book into his journal and made daily astronomical obse: jons under the instruction of the shi] tain, noting the weather, direction of the winds and currents, vessels sighted and passing events, keeping his journal as orderly as though he were actually in charge of the ship. Unfortunately the paper upon which this journal was written is a pons that it is rapidly crumbling to dust, and already much of it is lost beyond recovery. It is due to the ting the Washington papers in the best - blocondition for thelr Tuture protectic® ned preservation. It was characteristic of Washington to make a hasty survey of localities visited for the first time and to acquire their history. Adhering to this custom when he landed in Burbadoes he records the result in his journal with appre- ciative comments on its climate, population, overnment, commerce, productions, military Sitenses, Sv. Bridgetown bad, ever’ thes, tt theater and it is probable that it was here that George Washington witnessed, for the first time, a dramatic as well as the necessaries of life. Yet soit hap- Estates are often alienated for debts. Flow persons coming to estates of two, three aud four hundred acres can want is tome most wonderful.” Lawrence Washi failed to eosive the benefit he had been led to ith the welfare of the mushrooms. “Lhe notion of manure beds i & dwelling house may seem queer to mi people, but bad odors. Manure shovld be prepared away from the house and, when ready tor making into beds, should be spread out thin, so as to become per- fectly cool and free from’ steam. When it has been for two days in this condition it may be brought into the cellar and made into beds. After afew days it will warm up alittleand may thea be planted with «pawn and covered over with a thin layer of earth. Do not bury the spawn in the manure, but merely set it in the suriace.” a Bicycles in Washington. Washington Correspondence of t; ¥. Thnes, The bicycle has become the popular means of locomotion in Washington. It is to be seen everywhere that vehicles can goand atallhours of the day and night. There are over 10,000 riders of “the silent wheel” here. They in- clude all sorts and conditions of men and women. A minister of the gospel may be seen flying along the avenue eluecly pursued by « menenger boy mounted upon a wheel every bit as good. ‘Ihe Washington messenger, who values bis reputation owns or borrows « bict- cle. How he manages on his meager pay to Possess himself of the costly machine be gener- ally bestrides isa mystery’ which the writer has not yet solved. Asa result of the use of the bicycle messages are delivered here with more celerity than in any other city in the country. Sufferers from the .slow-going mes- senger service in New York and other cities will appreciate this innovation. ent clerks patronize the bicycle ex- tensively. Outside of every department during busmese hours may be seen dozens of wheels chained so that roy may not be ridden off by bicycle thieves, who have heretofore found this an inviting field. People even go to church on wheels here. are seven regularly or- ganized bicycle clubs in the city, with a lange aggregate membership, which does not, how- ever, include the great mass of riders. Busi- news men who use the wheel do not, asa ruk have time to belong to clubs. Several hun women own machines anda great many of them are expert riders. There are dozens who caa take the Capitol Hill, which is «pretty stiff climb even for « hardened man rider, without the shghest difficulty. Every day men can be seen pushing their wheels up this incline. The fine streets of Washington have given the impulse to bicycle riding which has proved such & anza to the bicycle manufacturers, ‘There are over sixty miles of fine asphalt pave- ment, to say nothing of miles of excellent macadamized roads in the suburbs which are available to the wheelmen. One can hardly find astreet that does not offer a good surrace for riding. It is but natural such ex- cellent facilities for enjoying this popular sport should be taken advani of. Most of the rominent makers of bicycles have their agents ere, who doa rushing business, Bicycles may be rented by the day or hour, and many visitors avail themselves of this privilege. ‘The rate is exceedingly cheap when the amount of pless- * | are derived is taken into consideration. There isa local law which requires thats t shall be carried on every machine at night. It this were not in force there would be many accidents, with thousands of wheels buzzing thro the red and white and green lights of the quick- moving machines are very conspicuous after mn who ride | o¢ the town. In consequence, Cartous Oriental Ways of Tortures Ahead for 66/\HE CHINESE HAVE MANY rious ways of catching Sah,” cicultural sharp to © writer for “In winter they dive for them 4 species demanded in the market seeks during the cold seaton under rocks siderable depth. They cannot be got and line, and ¢0 the fishermen go the water after them, plunging from Three dives are made each bour, and kept up on board the boat for the warming those at work between infrequently they come up bleeding from the lungs, and rheumatiam and skin diseases rendew them disabled by the time they are forty years old. “It was the Chinese who invented the well- known plan of capturing ducks and other water fowl by wading toward them with @ basket over the head and dragging them under water before they knew what bad caught them by the legs. Theirs is the idea ¢aers cormorants toaid them in fishing. You have heard, doubtiess, how the birds used for this liars around their necks © Hie aney purpose have The cormorant fishermen are organized ocieties, the birds belonging to each esse peculiar mark. > the natives em many of fishing which seem odd to en in the district of Onde a species of se alking fish’ with snake-like heads, Which are often feen floating on the water ae “fasleep. The people shoot them with crew bows. “Usually they sink when they are killed, so that they have to be dived for afterward. Im the Indus, the Ganges and other streams ere humerous fish-eating crocodiles which attain & length of more than twenty feet. Except whem near their nests aud anxious to defend ote eggs they run away from human fish they catch an enormous a oy oS ry has been th men should own business. gestion of such an idea with horror, saying that the croeouiles are brothers in trade, “The man-eating crocodiles of those fVe8s are regarded as sacrod and are never harmed, Of late years they have destroyed more lives than formerly, owing to the prohibition by law of the ancient practice of cousigning corpess &® the streams. fy was the goed abl uayan oll the month of the defunct respectfully with mud and leave the cadaver to be swept away by the current Upon such supplies of food the great saurians depended largely being deprived of them, they lie in wait ple and Five pers. to be carried off in one year However, the country is ove Por one would not think it am agreeable death & ie. ~The Buddhists in India have @ horror of eating the flesh of au 8, believing them to be incarnations of human beings’ souls; bud they permit themselves the luxury of fsb, usually getting around the difficulty by that the fishermen take away the fishes’ lives and are responsible. On the walls of their temples are numerous frescoes vividly de- picting the terribie tortures which Will have to endure in a future state. In these Paintings fires are re devils, who are dragging the fishermen inte the flames in nets, hauling them by hooks and lines and prodding them from behind fish spears. There is a story of a Buddhist priest whe lodged for some time at the house of « fisher- man. The latver bad recently reformed and was pursuing another occupation After twe days the guest asked why no fish wore served Upon the table, and, being informed that bie host was withbeld by conscientious seruples irom catching them. he expressed his approval in high terms. At the end of a week, he feit a craving for fish strong upon him uired how tar the fisherman's net across the neighboring stream. He was told that it extended one-third of the way across, hat is the case,’ said the pees ‘the i have their choice as to whether they be caught or not. So, if they choose to be tekem nobody else ir responsible. Therefore, you do right to try and catch some.’ after with fish, of which delicacy he would have been deprived had it not been for the which sacred books had taught him.” ——_—_——_ THIBET’S CLOSED DOORS, i They Will Be Forced Open tm the Bear Future by Engiand or Russia From the New York Times. In Thibet the doors are still closed to for eigners, and as yet only three travelers have penetrated this strange country. These three persons were Prince Henri of Orleans and com- panion and W. W. Rockhill, late United States charge d affaires at the legation at Pekin. Bven these visits were so ephemeral, so dangerous and so unsanctioned that it may still be said with a fair degree of accuracy that the forbid- den frontiers of Thibet remain as yet uncrossed by civilized man. With Russia pressing from the north end west, each year extending her boundaries an@ as gradually bringing her traders nearer to the cities of Thibet, and with Great Britain press- ing equally bard for the establishment of care- vans from India across the Himalaye mountains the end of this reign of foreign ex- clusion is drawing near, and soon we may leok for an overturning ‘of ancient prejudices against foreigners sunilar to that whicl re cently taken place in Corea. The only serious objection to the accomplishment of this de- sirable state of affairs is the overthrow of the suzerainty ciaimed by China over Thibet, and there even now appears to be a fair chance of the clerical vassal at Lhassa _p: independence of China with the same ness and success as was done, by the sec ruter at Seoul. The United States was instru- mental in establishing the independence of Cores and in opeujng its markets to the trade of the world, aud it seems that Russia and Great Britain—though actuated by ent different motives—will perform the same with Thibet, For many years China has op) any move- ment of outside nat hold in Thibet and uing policy, but her troubles at present with France ‘on the south, Great Britain on the coast, Russia on the north and various other civilized nations closing around her, recent summer riot The peang haus (King) of Thibet is ma tally and physically & strong man end able to contend with the machinations of the Chinese. The national feeling is being thor- oughly aroused and urged to ® crisis. The ‘Thibetans hate the Chinese and are determined, or a nes affairs forthereto- fore made b; to establish friend; have been thwarted by Chinese ives sent from Pekin with this avowed p: ‘and who have cons tee aan ee out the foreign envoys through the aid [ L I : E i i L tice and fair dealing even with his relations. | and resolved to try Bermuda in the spring. pid Jobn Quinev Adam He was ! extremely interesting to look upon. pushed vigorously it is now probable that | Washington's, writings, whenever refernece is | His charges against strangers a kept with Geaise tole covensly separation from his identified with its material pros-| | Mr. Foxhall was « lay preacher in the Metho- | fre contess will take place in the near future. | made to his mother, either in his youth, ma-| equal exactness: . wife, and arranged with George to return to perity. He owned and operated a flouring dist church, and ministers of that church were We understand that Mr. Bird desires to play | ture manhood or advanced age, it is done with Major Lawe Washington Dr Vi and sccompany her out qe on mill om Rock creek. te of which is now « always specially entertained and honored in| g match with Steinitz if the champion is again | the most becoming and dutiful respect. 1748 48D. | the of Bermuda, to which went in * of the Zoologi Park, and he lived : victorious at Havana. does not seem to ‘HIS CARE AND METHOD. August 15 To cash lent you at the falls March. an Washington sailed nearby in the house now occupied by the ofti- | He died in 1823, during a visit to hie old|}i< i effect upon Mr.| George's neatly kept school copy book, made Potomac 2 8|for Virginia on the 22d of December, 1751, cers of the park. But the local project that land, bis widow following him in | Bird’ the age'ef thirteen and atx: “ 17 To cash lent you to pay Ned arriving at Mount Vernon on the 4th of Feb- he was most prominently ‘and zeal | ince which: time notmember of the family |" Boultbee has won the Canadian Chess Asso- | between the age teen: years, ‘8 exp. 5 9| ruary following. ously interested in was the Chesapeake | upied either the Georgetown or Spring | ciation's cham} Narrabee taking second | still in good condition and preserved inthe De-| 4 19 Todoto pay your Boy'sexp. 3 6 - HE DEATH OF LAWRENCE, id Ohio ~—s can «=e. owas an place and Davison third. partment of State, exhibits his fine penman- hee Giada : Letters from Lawrence, after his brother left Buswerving friend of @iat great measure wheu | Being aman of remarkable force of char- ship, proficiency und accuracy, as as his = <t was before Congress for material aid, and its | acter—precige and methodical to a macked de. B aptness ‘and | p2748-9, him, show an increased despondency and {Becessful opening was largely due to his ef- | grec—Lis persouality is indelibly impressed on | Army Officer (at Washington)—: ‘Yes, I have | Grawing of Sgures and plate of Feb | 14 By cash at Loo............ 5 | anally despairing of recovery he resolved, in- forts. At the ceremonies attending the break- | this community been in the service nearly ten years. surveys. From early youth he hada mental Mra. Ann Washington, of Fairfax Dr stead of having his wife come out to him, that ing of ground for the famous waterway he was Young Lady—“I suppose you have had some | method of his own. for 1748 £8D. home. He reached ‘Rusts sew an ‘questions be would return SpProptiately accorded the post of honor. A | peepee narrow escapes?” coming before him for consid examin- | July 28 To cash paid Maryland Vernon in May and died thereon the 26th of raat the cazal was visible from Fouhatia | 10 the posession of his descendants in| "Army Ofleer (turing palo at the recoils. | Soming before him for consideration, exami for - 4 9 | Serene, and was interred ta eves Pence eranda. and bere Mr. Adams was often found | Georgetown are some rare old documents con- | tion)—“I had © mighty narrow escape only a 26 afterward received the remains of miching the progress of the work on his pet | nected with his domestic affairs, among them | short bn se oy ° 876 | nis brother. The paternal care ex- scheme. j being Parchment marriage certificates and] [emi Omer sed weet ay eg erolged by this pare-minded and accompliaed Spring Hill is entered from the Foxhall road, | deeds. He wus married three times. His x4 -Tenas Siftingn for half brother George must Puch originally extended to the Potomac. In | wife was Ann Harward, aud they were married | dered weet." —Tezas Siftings. ™% link their names together in the hearts Foxtall's time, beiore the building of the | in England in 1780. His second wife wae Mies| Husband—“Have you done best _to fe deduce of} and memories of the American Al Sige! the old “Falls” road ronalong the river's | Margaret Smith. ‘They were married in Phile- | economize this moat, Mary. asl requested?” money | though George Ws wes under edge. py delpbia February 11, 1799, the following being | Wife Gbrightin—"Ob, yea T spoke to the g- | egal age he was named in Lawrence's will as ic Fotball it ie sai was man of prox he sun form of tle marriage cordate: , the But sod he lanaiora, aad got et Gog edn Rapa a hie pounced views upon leading “This is to certify whom.it may concers tung their ville ill next E we La sessions of the day—e man whces opinions | that Heary Foahall and Margaret Bala one | month" Woe Dow Pas ' ; th