Anecdote of Mrs. Washington.
An old number of the Newark Daily contains the following pleasant anecdote of Lady Washington, which was furnished by one of its correspondents, who obtained it from a family in Whippany, N. J., named Vail:— Mrs. Vail's first husband's mother, Mrs. Tuttle, was a sensible and agreeable woman, whose company was much sought by those who, owing to their wealth, moved in more fashionable circles. Among other frequent visitors was Mrs. Troupe, the lady of a half-pay captain in the British navy. She is described as a lady of affable manners, and of intelligence, and very much esteemed. One day she visited Mrs. Tuttle, and the usual compliments were hardly passed before she said: “Well, what do you think, Mrs. T.? I have been to see Lady Washington!” “Have you, indeed! Then tell me all about how you found her ladyship, how she appeared, and what she said.” “Well, I will honestly tell you,” answered Mrs. Troupe, “I never was so ashamed in all my life. You see Madame —, and Madame —, and Madame Budd and myself thought we would visit Lady Washington, and as she was said to be so grand a lady, we thought we must put on our best bibs and bands. So we dressed ourselves in our most elegant ruffles and silks, and were introduced to her ladyship. And don't you think we found her knitting, and with a specked (check) apron on! She received us very graciously and easily, but after the compliments were over she resumed her knitting. There we were without a stitch of work, and sitting in state, and General Washington's lady with her own hands was knitting stockings for herself and her husband!” “And that was not all. In the afternoon her ladyship took occasion to say, in a way that we could not be offended at, that at this time it was very important that American ladies should be patterns of industry to their countrywomen, because the separation from the mother country will dry up the sources whence many of our comforts have been derived. We must become independent by our determination to do without what we cannot make ourselves. Whilst our husbands and brothers are examples of patriotism, we must be patterns of industry!” According to Mrs. Troupe's story, Mrs. Washington gave her visitors some excellent advice, the meanwhile adding force to her words by her actions, and withal in such a way that they could not take offense. In this she proved herself more worthy to occupy her distinguished position than she could have done by all the graceful and elegant accomplishments which are often found in princesses and queens. In the relation she occupied, her knitting-work and her check apron were queenly ornaments, and we may be proud to know that such a woman as Martha Washington set such an admirable example to her countrywomen!