We cannot but rejoice that Nelly Custis flashed some of the joyfulness and divine insouciance of youth into the tired heart of the tired great man.
[Footnote 1: Irving, V, 277.] Perhaps the best offhand description of Washington in these later days is that given by an English actor, Bernard, who happened to be driving near Mount Vernon when a carriage containing a man and a woman was upset.

Bernard dismounted to give help, and presently another rider came up and joined in the work.

"He was a tall, erect, well-made man, evidently advanced in years, but who appeared to have retained all the vigor and elasticity resulting from a life of temperance and exercise.
His dress was a blue coat buttoned to the chin, and buckskin breeches."[1] They righted the chaise, harnessed the horse, and revived the young woman who, true to her time and place, had fainted.
Then she and her companion drove off towards Alexandria.

Washington invited Bernard to come home with him and rest during the heat of the day.

The actor consented.