Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let… - Washington Irving

His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory, as they would have done had they been effected for selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manners and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting a regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonials of respect were shown to him. If he aimed at a universal dominion, it was the dominion of faith; as to the temporal rule which grew up in his hands, as he used it without ostentation, so he took no step to perpetuate it in his family

Neyse ki, zamanında altına oturup huzurla pipo tüttürdüğü Kral George'un kırmızı suratlı resmini tanımıştı; ancak o bile bir başka görünüyordu. Kırmızı ceketi maviye ve deve tüyü renge dönmüş, elinde tuttuğu kraliyet asası kılıç oluvermiş, kafasına üç köşeli şapka takılmıştı; ve altına büyük harflerle şöyle yazılmıştı: GENERAL WASHINGTON.

If, however, I can by any lucky chance, in these days of evil, rub out one wrinkle from the brow of care, or beguile the heavy heart of one moment of sorrow, if I can now and then penetrate through the gathering film of misanthropy, prompt a benevolent view of human nature, and make my reader more in good humor with his fellow beings and himself, surely, surely, I shall not then have written entirely in vain.