Lincoln liked to tell the story (almost certainly untrue) of George Washington and the privy. It runs something like this:
After the War, Ethan Allen was in England on business and was invited to dinner at a manor house. At one point during the evening, Allen expressed a desire to use the facilities and was directed to them. The only decoration in the 'littlest room' was a portrait of George Washington. Upon returning the dining hall, Allen made no mention of the picture. Eventually, his host asked Allen if he'd seen it. He had. His host then asked if Allen thought that the portrait was in an appropriate place. Allen said it was. His astonished host said, 'Appropriate? George Washington's likeness in a water closet?'
'It is where it will serve best,' answered Allen, 'for as the whole world knows, nothing will make an Englishman shit quicker than the sight of General Washington.'
Boru
After the War, Ethan Allen was in England on business and was invited to dinner at a manor house. At one point during the evening, Allen expressed a desire to use the facilities and was directed to them. The only decoration in the 'littlest room' was a portrait of George Washington. Upon returning the dining hall, Allen made no mention of the picture. Eventually, his host asked Allen if he'd seen it. He had. His host then asked if Allen thought that the portrait was in an appropriate place. Allen said it was. His astonished host said, 'Appropriate? George Washington's likeness in a water closet?'
'It is where it will serve best,' answered Allen, 'for as the whole world knows, nothing will make an Englishman shit quicker than the sight of General Washington.'
Boru
‘I can’t be having with this.’ - Esmeralda Weatherwax
