ANECDOTE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 155, 2 December 1874, Page 3

ANECDOTE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.

In General Wilson's ' Sketches of Illustrious Soldiers,' one of the best books that have been published recently across the Atlantic, there are many new anecdotes of celebrated men. General Wilson knew intimately a friend of the famous soldierstatesman, and this friend—Mr Curtis by name—gave him part of the following information : When Washington was a young man, he was present on one occasion as looker-on at wrestling games, then the fashion in Virginia- Tired of the sport, he retreated to the shade of a tree, where he sat persuing a pamphlet, till challenged to a bout by the hero of the day and the strongest wrestler in the State. Washington declined, till, taunted with the remark that he feared to try conclusions with the gladiator, he calmly came forward, and, without removing his coat, grappled with his antagonist. There was a iierce struggle for a brief space of time, when the champion was hurled to the ground with such tremendous force as to jar the very marrow in his bones. Another instance of his prodigious power was his throwing the stone across the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg—a feat that it is cpiite safe to say has never been performed since. Later in life, a number of young gentlemen were contending at Mount Vernon in the exercise of throwing the bar. Washington, after looking on for some time, walked forward, saying, "Allow me to try," and, grasping the bar, sent the iron flying through the air 20ft beyond its former limits. Still later in his career Washington, whose " age was like a lusty winter, frosty but kindly," observed three of his workmen at Mount Vernon vainly endeavoring to raise a large stone, when, tired of witnessing their unsuccessful attempts, he put them aside, and, taking it in his iron like grasp, lifted it to its place, remounted his horse, and rode on.