Martha Washington (1731-1802) first wife of a President (George Washington 1732-1799)

THE ORIGINAL GOOD WOMAN.

The original Good Woman, though not given to much speaking, was remarkable for always speaking to the purpose, and never betraying any inconsistency or inconsecutiveness in conversation. In reply to the question. Why? Or Wherefore? She was accustomed either to give a reason, or to confess that she had none to give. Her conduct, moreover, was singularly rational, and not dictated by whim, caprice, or the blind impulse of the moment. On the other hand albeit she was not by any means insensible to praise or admiration, yet the desire of attracting it was not always uppermost in her mind, and did not constitute her chief and main consideration.

In brief, reasonableness and freedom from vanity, were the distinctive features of her character; for the rest she was endowed with the good qualities which are peculiarly feminine. Be it observed that her understanding was of a particular nature; she was no metaphysician or mathematician: she gave her mind to the study of her part in life, and consequently she acted it well; and engrossed in its performance with the business of the scene, she was not always curtseying and smirking at the spectators.

He expenditure on dress, whilst she was single, was proportionate to the means of her family; when she became a wife, to those of her husband. She was never known to be discontented to unhappy for the want of some piece of finery which she could not afford. Her attire was regulated by her own taste, without any further reference to fashion than was necessary to avoid being conspicuous. When, at one time, she was getting rather plump, instead of pinching her waist, she reduced her diet; and one of the few persons that she ever treated with contempt was a modish acquaintance who recommended her to “lace a little.” Another was a relation who counselled her to wear ear-rings. Her infancy was remarkable for an early abandonment of her doll, and for the moderation of her delight in new frocks. All her instructors were proud of their pupil; but the least loud in her commendation was her dancing-master.

She was much more solicitous about her health than her complexion: and for the sake of exercise would walk bravely forth in all weathers, dressed rather with reference to the day and season, than with respect to the eyes of beholders. Thus she spoiled very few bonnets and other apparel by being caught in showers, and such like accidents. Hence, too, perhaps it was that she enjoyed such an immunity from illness: for the Original Good Woman was uncommonly fortunate in this particular. She was never known to faint, or be troubled with hysterics; and was wonderfully free from all sinkings, swimmings, dartings, shootings, drawings, spasms, and all-over-ishness. Her ailments, when she had any, were plain, downright, unequivocal maladies; as fevers, inflammations, quinsies*, colds in the head – strange to say, they were all such as are recognized by the medical faculty. Otherwise a most elegant creature, she was never elegantly indisposed; nor did she ever encourage herself in the persuasion that she was unwell, still less affect to be so. And on no occasion did she ever declare that she was dying except once, when it was almost the last word she ever spoke.

Her conversation was distinguished by a freedom from needless interjections; from appeals to her goodness! And her gracious! And from declarations that she never! It seldom related to clothes, unless she was about to purchase them; it never tended to the prejudice of her acquaintances, nor turned on their petty doing and affairs. They might add to their wardrobes without her noticing the circumstances; they might display bad taste in so doing without exciting any other comment on her part but a smile. She was more interested in the discourse than in the costume of her friends; and when she came away from church, she better remembered what was said than what was worn there.

The parents of the Original Good Woman, who lived before the American Revolution, were anxious that she should marry nothing under a title. She disappointed them, though her husband possessed the highest, that of a wise and honest man; and he ultimately became a great one, even in the world’s eye. Circumstances compelled him to take a part in public affairs. Through the successful advocacy of right, he became famous in his day. A high office was within his grasp; but its acceptance would have compromised his principles. Wavering, as the best will for a moment waver, he asked counsel of his wife, as to what course, in this conjecture, he should pursue. She exhorted him to resist the temptation; to trample the bribe under foot; and told him that she felt prouder of him for his moral position than she should be were he a President. “The thing,” said the Original Good Woman, “not the glory, for us!”

His ascent, however, to eminence was a struggle. In this she did not embarrass, but comforted him; she was a wife, but not an encumbrance. Never did she once strive to divert him from the true and good path for the sake of luxury of ostentation. No desire to outvie her neighbors in show, style and mode of living, ever prompted her to endeavor to influence his proceedings. He received no hints from her of an inclination for carriages and a livery; she was content with his aiming and comfortable subsistence and provision for themselves and family. She was wont to consult with him on their common affairs, and to give and take advice thereon in good part.

As a mother, she was careful and tender of her offspring; but she did not spoil or pet them; nor was she possessed with a notion that there were no such other children in existence. In their management, during infancy, she was guided by her physician, and not be her monthly nurse; having, in fact, a profound contempt for the sayings and practices of all gossips and goodies. Hence, on no pretext was she afflicted by a craving for inaccessible rarities, and fancies of that description. She had her weaknesses; but she despised them and strove to be rid of them. Except for strong cause the Original Good Woman never wept.

I youth she was beautiful; and her charms as she advanced in age, were not destroyed, but only changed. She wore her own hair after it had become grey, and was at no pains to tinker up her face. Thus she grew old, without growing ridiculous; and when she could no longer be handsome she was venerable.

*Quinsies "Quinsy - if the infection spreads into the tissue around the tonsils an abscess in the throat can form, also known as a peri-tonsillar abscess. This causes severe pain and can interfere with swallowing and even breathing."