The magazine of American history with notes and queries . rammeled by troublesome and deteriorating breeding was that of a gentleman. Industry was one of his cardinalvirtues, and it formed one of the chief elements in his subsequent gravities and responsibilities of life took possession of him early. Infield sports, in skilled horsemanship, in surveying with its attendantfatigue, exposure and expedients, in the use of the rifle, and in the care ofa rural domain, all the manly qualities, both physical and mental, werepretty evenly developed. He had the best training poss
The magazine of American history with notes and queries . rammeled by troublesome and deteriorating breeding was that of a gentleman. Industry was one of his cardinalvirtues, and it formed one of the chief elements in his subsequent gravities and responsibilities of life took possession of him early. Infield sports, in skilled horsemanship, in surveying with its attendantfatigue, exposure and expedients, in the use of the rifle, and in the care ofa rural domain, all the manly qualities, both physical and mental, werepretty evenly developed. He had the best training possible for militarylife in a new country, and it is refreshing to notice that he was neverafflicted with waste moments. The wonder often expressed by thepleasure-loving class of American citizens, how the Father of our Coun-try could have lived so long and seen so much that was funny, and neverlaughed, finds but a faint response in actual history. Washington, as iswell known, had a human side from first to last, and although much anx- GEORGE WASHINGTON 99. IOO GEORGE WASHINGTON iety and responsibility gave him a serious aspect and his smiles were rare,yet he was by no means wanting in a sense of humor, could enjoy a goodstory, and see its point and laugh as heartily (if not as frequently) as othermen. Then again, the carpers who dwell upon Washingtons occasionalexhibitions of temper do him good instead of evil service, for had he notpossessed hot passions, as well as good sense, strong impulses tempered bysound judgment, and quick and vigorous determination, how could hehave wielded the loose and undefined power delegated to him- with suchblessed and far-reaching results? In his perfect self-control our first President was inimitable. Thistrait had reached its meridian when he came to New York in 1789. Hisgenius for keeping tranquil when most perplexed was only paralleled by hisprecision in details, and his executive skill in accomplishing an enormousamount of work. The elegant S
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