LIFE IN THE CAPITAL.

I.

FROM the note-book of the late Mr. Horace Binney Wallace, of Philadelphia, I am permitted to transcribe a record of some conversations with his mother, Mrs. Susan Wallace, in which that lady -so eminent for whatever is beautiful and noble in her sexdisclosed her recollections of Washington's habits, personal appearance, and manners. On the removal of the government to Philadelphia, Mrs. Mary Binney, mother of Mrs. Wallace, resided in Market street, opposite to General Washington's-the door of her house a few paces further east. It was the General's custom, frequently, when the day was fine, to come out to walk, attended by his secretaries, Mr. Lear and Major William Jackson—one on each side. He always crossed directly over from his own door to the sunny side of the street, and walked down. He was dressed in black, and all three wore cocked hats. She never observed them conversing; she often wondered and watched, as a child, to see if any of the party spoke, but never could perceive that any thing was said. It was understood that the aids were kept at regal distance. General Washington had a large family coach, a light carriage, and a chariot, all alike— cream-colored, painted with three enamelled figures on each panel - and very handsome. He drove

in the coach to Christ Church every Sunday morning, with two horses; drove the carriage and four into the country-to Landsdowne, The Hills, and other places. In going to the Senate he used the chariot, with six horses. All his servants were white, and wore liveries of white cloth, trimmed with scarlet or orange. Mrs. Wallace* saw General Washington frequently at public balls. His manners there were very gracious and pleasant. She went with Mrs. Oliver Wolcott to one of Mrs. Washington's drawingrooms. The General was present, and came up and bowed to every lady after she was seated. Mrs. Binney visited Mrs. Washington frequently. It was Mrs. Washington's custom to return visits on the third day: and she thus always returned Mrs. Binney's. A footman would run over, knock loudly, and announce Mrs. Washington, who would then come over with Mr. Lear. Mrs. Wallace met Mrs. Washington in her mother's parlor: her manners were very easy, pleasant, and unceremonious, with the character

Mrs. Wallace, widow of Mr. John Bradford Wallace, and sister of Mr. Horace Binney, died on the eighth of July, 1849. The Rev. Herman Hooker, D. D., in an eloquent and appropriate tribute to her memory, says: "I cannot speak of her in terms suitable to my conceptions. No praise befits the character or the taste of such a person but a truthful and grateful mention of her virtues. These were so numerous and so marked that any just mention of them will seem to border on exaggeration. She was a model of a woman. Her elevation was such, that seen through the distance of a slight or formal acquaintance, it might be mistaken for pride or austerity. But there are many persons of even humble condition who can testify with what ease and readiness she could appreciate the feelings and merits of all. So various were her accomplishments, so profound, ready, and discerning her mind, that whether approached by the most humble, the most refined and fashionable, or the most intelligent and learned persons, she was never at a loss to assume any manner, or join in any conversation, suitable to their taste and position. Her mind was conversant with principles, and from these she could start out on any subject, detect its nature, and define its limits. She was always entertaining and instructive. Nothing could be said in her presence which she would fail to appreciate justly. She was severely just — severely conscientious. She had all the impulsiveness of woman, all the sensibilities of a cultivated nature, yet all were under discipline and right control, and thus added grace, worth, and certainty, to all the virtues of life." Mrs. Wallace was born on Washington's birth-day, 1778, and was just entering society in the last years of his administration. Her husband was a nephew of Mr. Bradford, the second Attorney General of the United States. He was described by Daniel Webster as "one of the oldest, truest, and most valued of his friends."

istics of other Virginia ladies. When Washington retired from public life Mrs. Wallace was about nineteen years of age.

The recollections of Mr. Richard Rush on this subject are in agreement with those of Mrs. Wallace. That accomplished and distinguished gentleman has communicated to me a very graphic account of some interesting scenes, of which he was an observer, about the close of Washington's first administration. Looking upon the old Congress Hall, at the corner of Chestnut and Sixth streets, a few years ago, he says, "I recalled a scene never, no, never to be forgotten. It was, I think, in 1794 or 1795, that as a boy I was among the spectators congregated at this corner, and parts close by, to witness a great public spectacle. Washington was to open the session of Congress, by going in person, as was his custom, to deliver a speech to both houses, assembled in the chamber of the House of Representatives. The crowd was immense. It filled the whole area in Chestnut street before the state house, extended along the line of Chestnut street above Sixth street, and spread north and south some distance along the latter. A way kept open for carriages, in the middle of the street, was the only space not closely packed with people. I had a stand on the steps of one of the houses in Chestnut street, which, raising me above the mass of human heads, enabled me to see to advantage. After waiting long hours, as it seemed to a boy's impatience, the carriage of the President at length slowly drove up, drawn by four beautiful bay horses. It was white, with medallion ornaments on the panels, and the livery of the servants, as well as I remember, was white turned up with red: at any rate a glowing livery—the entire display in equipages at that era, in our country generally, and in Philadelphia in particular, while the seat of government, being more rich and varied than now, though fewer in number. Washington got out of his carriage, and, slowly crossing the pavement, ascended

the steps of the edifice, upon the upper platform of which he paused, and, turning half round, looked in the direction of a carriage which had followed the lead of his own. Thus he stood for a minute, distinctly seen by every body. He stood in all his civic dignity and moral grandeur, erect, serene, majestic. His costume was a full suit of black velvet; his hair, in itself blanched by time, powdered to snowy whiteness, a dress sword at his side, and his hat held in his hand. Thus he stood in silence; and what moments those were! Throughout the dense crowd profound stillness reigned. Not a word was heard, not a breath. Palpitations took the place of sounds. It was a feeling infinitely beyond that which vents itself in shouts. Every heart was full. In vain would any tongue have spoken. All were gazing, in mute unutterable admiration. Every eye was riveted on that form—the greatest, purest, most exalted of mortals. It might have seemed as if he stood in that position to gratify the assembled thousands with a full view of the father of their country. Not so. He had paused for his secretary, then, I believe, Mr. Dandridge or Colonel Lear, who got out of the other carriage, a chariot, decorated like his own. The secretary, ascending the steps, handed him a paper-probably a copy of the speech he was to deliver-when both entered the building. Then it was, and not until then, that the crowd sent up huzzas, loud, long, earnest, enthusiastic."

Of the simple manners of Washington and his family we have an interesting account in the Travels of Mr. Henry Wansey, F. S. A., an English manufacturer, who breakfasted with them on the morning of the eighth of June, 1794. "I confess," he says, "I was struck with awe and veneration, when I recollected that I was now in the presence of the great Washington; the noble and wise benefactor of the world, as Mirabeau styles him.... When we look down from this truly illustrious character, on other public servants, we