[Footnote 1:  Marshall:  The Life of George Washington (Philadelphia, 1805, 5 vols.), II, 68.]

Before the Treaty was signed and the world had begun to spin in a new groove, which optimists thought would stretch on forever, an equally serious change had come to the private life of George Washington.  To the surprise of his friends, who had begun to doubt whether he would ever get married, he found his life’s companion and married her without delay.  The notion seems to have been popular during his lifetime, and it certainly has continued to later days, that he was too bashful to feel easy in ladies’ society.  I find no evidence for this mistaken idea.  Although little has been recorded of the intimacies of Washington’s youth, there are indications of more than one “flame” and that he was not dull and stockish with the young women.  As early as 1748, we hear of the Low-Land Beauty who had captivated him, and who is still to be identified.  Even earlier, in his school days, he indulged in writing love verses.  But we need not infer that they were inspired by living damsels or by the Muses.

“Oh ye Gods why should my poor resistless Heart
Stand to oppose thy might and power—­

* * * * *

“In deluding sleepings let my eyelids close
That in an enraptured dream I may
In a rapt lulling sleep and gentle repose
Possess those joys denied by day."[1]

[Footnote 1:  Quoted by Wister, 39.]

Cavour said that it was easier for him to make Italy than to write a poem:  Washington, who was also an honest man, and fully aware of his limitations, would probably have admitted that he could make the American Republic more easily than a love song.  But he was susceptible to feminine charms, and we hear of Betsy Fauntleroy, and of a “Mrs. Meil,” and on his return to Mount Vernon, after Braddock’s defeat, he received the following round robin from some of the young ladies at Belvoir: 

Dear Sir,—­After thanking Heaven for your safe return I must accuse you of great unkindness in refusing us the pleasure of seeing you this night.  I do assure you nothing but our being satisfied that our company would be disagreeable should prevent us from trying if our legs would not carry us to Mount Vernon this night, but if you will not come to us tomorrow morning very early we shall be at Mount Vernon.

    S[ALLY] FAIRFAX ANN SPEARING ELIZ’TH DENT

Apparently Washington’s love affairs were known and talked about among his group.  What promised to be the most serious of his experiences was with Mary Philipse, of New York, daughter of Frederick Philipse, one of the richest landowners in that Colony, and sister-in-law of Beverly Robinson, one of Washington’s Virginian friends.  Washington was going to Boston on a characteristic errand.  One of the minor officers in the Regular British Army, which had accompanied