derable judge of
female beauty, since he was observed to tarry longer than usual
when paying his compliments to Miss Sophia Chew, a charming belle
of Philadelphia in that time.

"Refreshments were handed round by servants in livery; and about
that period first appeared the luxury, now so universal, of
ice-cream. Introductions to eminent personages and conversation
formed the entertainments of the drawing-room. Cards were
altogether unknown.

"But the leading and most imposing feature of the drawing-room was
the men of mark, the 'Revolutionaries,' both civil and military,
who were to be seen there. The old officers delighted to pay their
respects to the wife of Washington, and to call up the
reminiscences of the headquarters, and of the 'times that tried
men's souls.' These glorious old chevaliers were the greatest beaux
of the age, and the recollections of their gallant achievements,
together with their elegant manners, made them acceptable to the
ladies everywhere. They formed the _elite_ of the drawing-room.
General Wayne--the renowned 'Mad Anthony'--with his aids-de-camp,
Lewis and De Butts, frequently attended, with Mifflin, Walter
Stewart, Colonel Hartley, and many others. Indeed, there was often
to be met with at the mansion of the first president an assemblage
of intellect and honor, public virtue and private worth, exalted
merit and illustrious services, such as the world will never see
again."

CHAPTER X.

WASHINGTON BEGINS HIS OFFICIAL LABORS--THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC
RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES--DANGEROUS ILLNESS OF THE
PRESIDENT--PUBLIC ANXIETY AND HIS OWN CALMNESS--SLOW
CONVALESCENCE--DEATH OF WASHINGTON'S MOTHER--PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS
IN REFERENCE TO REVENUE, THE JUDICIARY AND EXECUTIVE
DEPARTMENTS--DEBATES CONCERNING THE APPOINTING POWER--AMENDMENTS OF
THE CONSTITUTION--ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JUDICIARY--WASHINGTON'S
APPOINTMENT OF CABINET AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS--ADJOURNMENT OF
CONGRESS--THANKSGIVING-DAY APPOINTED.

With a most earnest desire to be a faithful public servant, Washington
commenced his labors as soon as possible after the inauguration. His
first care was to make himself acquainted with the exact condition of
his country; and for that purpose he personally inspected all of the
most important official documents issued since