Page:Woman in Art.djvu/347

WOMAN IN ART his being. The greeting was warm and tender, then tenderly she said, 'You are growing old, George; care and toil have been making marks in your face since I saw it last.'

"The citizens of Fredericksburg had resolved to give a ball in honor of the victors, and the lady above all others who should grace the fete was the mother of Washington."

When the General entered the ball room, his mother leaning on his arm, every head was bowed in reverence. She wore a simple black silk gown, with snow-white kerchief and cap, her figure still erect, though it had grown thinner and frailer than once it had been. When she was holding her little court, one of the French officers observed, "If such are the matrons of America well may she boast of illustrious sons."

The Marquis de Lafayette, before returning to France, came to Fredericksburg to bid adieu to his friend's honored mother, and was conducted to her presence by her young grandson, Robert Lewis. She was walking in the garden taking careful note of its condition when they approached. Her black stiff gown and white apron were as neat as a nun's, while above the white cap was worn a broad straw hat tied down under her chin.

"There, Sir, is my grandmother," said young Lewis, pointing to her. The Marquis made the military salute as they approached while she, recognizing the distinguished visitor, came to the garden paling and looking over with a kindly smile remarked: "Ah, Marquis, you see an old woman; but come in, I can make you welcome without parade of changing my dress." The impulsive Frenchman's reply was full of warmth, he called her the mother of his friend, his hero, and the preserver of the country and its liberty. When he arose to leave, referring to his speedy departure for France and his home, he asked that she would bestow upon him a blessing. With hands clasped, and the light of faith in her uplooking eyes, the blessing was fervently invoked, beseeching that God might grant him "every blessing of safety, happiness, prosperity, and peace." It so moved the heart of her noble guest that tears filled his eyes, and taking the frail, faded hands into his warm clasp he bent his head to touch them reverently with his lips as the final adieu was spoken. The grandson who witnessed this scene said it was so affecting that he "almost choked to keep from crying aloud." Speaking of Washington's mother subsequently, the Marquis made the remark that he had seen the only Roman matron who was living in his day.

Mary Washington lived to see her eldest son elevated to the highest 271