natural to him, and its influence was overwhelming.  The humblest and the highest felt it alike; inspiring a respectful awe, commanding a dignified demeanor.  He was best beloved at a distance, because the qualities of the man were only present, and these were purer and more lofty than those given to any other man.  There is no character of ancient or modern times so consistent as that of Washington.  He was always cool, always slow, always sincere.  There is no act of his life evincing the influence of prejudice.  He decided all matters upon evidence, and the unbiased character of his mind enabled him impartially to weigh this evidence, and the great strength of his judgment to analyze and apply it.  He seemed to understand men instinctively, and if he was ever deceived in any of those in close association with him, it was Tom Jefferson.  Burr had not been on his staff ten days before he understood him perfectly, and he very soon got rid of him.  Of all the officers of the Continental army, General Greene was his favorite; and he was right, for Greene was a great military man—­far superior to Washington himself, and none knew it better than he.  I remember to have heard him say that Greene was the only man in the army who could retrieve the mistakes of Gates and save the Southern country.  The result verified the statement.

“Washington’s lenity never extended to the excusing of any palpable neglect of duty.  The strict regularity of his own private character was carried into everything connected with his public duties.  However much he esteemed any man, it was for his worth in his especial position, and not because of any peculiarity of bearing or properties of heart.  That he appreciated the higher qualities of the heart, is certainly true—­but for what they were worth always—­and neither quality of head or heart created a prejudice which would lead him to excuse any neglect of duty or laxity of morals.  He was not without heart, but it was slow to be moved, and never so moved as to warp or obscure his judgment, or influence the discharge of his duty.

“Mrs. Washington was less amiable than her husband, and at times would sadly tax his patience—­she never forgot that she was wealthy when she married him, and would sometimes allude to it in no very pleasant manner to her husband; who, notwithstanding, bore with her with remarkable patience.  I do not remember ever to have seen General Washington laugh; sometimes a faint smile would tinge his features; but very soon they returned to the sedateness and gravity of expression common to them; and though they rarely brightened with a smile, they were never deformed with a frown.  There was in their expression a fixity indicative of his character, a purpose settled and unalterable.  Of all the men I have ever known, Washington was the only one who never descended from the stilts of his dignity, or relaxed the austerity of his bearing.  It has been said that he swore at General Charles Lee