PERSONAL STRENGTH OF WASHINGTON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 702, 26 November 1881, Page 3

PERSONAL STRENGTH OF WASHINGTON.

Great commanders have not, as a rule, been notable for the possession of extraordinary physical powers. Washington was i n exception, being a man of great strength. In his youth he was once an onlooker at a wrestling contest and glowing weary of the sport, threw himself at the foot of a tree to enjoy his book. By and bye he was challenged to j try a fall with the hero of the day. At j first he declined, until finding his re- j fusal attributed to fear, he entered the j arena, and without taking oft’ his eoat ? grappled I .old of his opponent, and after a brief struggle hurled him to the ground with such force that the best wrestler in Virginia was in much the same predicament as the Duke’s wrestler when he tried conclusions with Orlando. Later on in life, while watching some voung fellows contending at throwing the bar, Washington asked to be allowed to try what he could do ; and grasping the bar sent it flying through the air, to land many feet beyond the limit attained by any of the competitors. And still later, when he might be said to be getting old, he showed that he had not lost the strength of his arm. Taking a morning ride he saw three of his workmen vainly endeavoring to raD e a very large stone. Jumping off his horse, Washington pushed the men aside, and without any apparent effort, lifted the stone to its proper place, and then remounting rode on.—Chambers’ Journal.