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Show Ia playful letter fkom 1 washington. Mr. C. B. Allen, of Brimfield, Mass., has found in a copy of the London Magazine for January, 1822, : a letter from General Washington, in viting Dr. Cochran, Medical Director-General Director-General of the army, to dinner. It is -interesting as showing what a lbor it wab for Washington to bo humorous, try he "ever bo well. His playfulness , was exceedingly dignified, but then it was playfulness, and we don't doubt Itlipt Dr; Cochran hnd a good dinner. The italics in the letter are as in the London Magazine: West Point, August 16, 1779. . Bear Ductor: I have asked Mrs. Cochran and Mrs. Livingston to dine with me to morrow, but ought I not i to apprise them of their fare? As J hale deception even u-liere imagination is concerned, I will. It is needless to premise that my table is large enough to hold the ladies of this they had occular proof yesterday. To say how k it is usually covered, is rather more essential; and this shall be the pur port of my letter. Sinco my arrival t this happy epot we have had an ham, sometimes a shoulder of bncou, to grace the head of tho table a piece of roaBt beef adorns the foot, and a small dish of greens or beana (almost imperceptible) impercepti-ble) decoratcB the centre. VVtion the cook has a mind to cut a figure (and this, I presume, he will attempt to do to-morrow), we have two beefsteak s pies, or dishf s of crabs, in addition, one on each side of the centre-dish, j dividing the apace, and reducing the distance between dish and dish to about six feet, which, without them, would be nearly twelve feet apart. Of late, he has had the surprising luck to discover that apples will make pies, and it is a question if, amidst the violence of his efforts, we do not get one of apples, instead of having both of beef. If the ladies can put up with such entertainment, and submit sub-mit to partake of it on plates once tin, but now iron not become so by the labour oj scour mo), I th ill be happy to see them. I am, dear sir, jour moBt obedient Bervant, Geouqe Washinoto-. To Dr. John Cochran. |