Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-14

the Library, containing histories OF ancient anu
modern times, and sumo OF the standard E"shsh
classics-a selection rather solid than eiegau''
thus resembling the mind of him who READ tne'n'
and who Dire from the models OF character "h'e"
they present, and combined in his own, tne no-
blest elements of moral greatness. AoJo'.,ns
the Library, is small room, in which, as I'D ot'ier
parts Of the honse, are pictures and otheI ieiiSe
of Washington, and presents from his trlehds
both in this country and in Europe. Among these
is kew of the French Bastile, sent him oy La
fayette, a most interesting trophy OF the triumph
of freedom, in destroying that noted engine VI
despotism and instrument OF human woe. we
noticed also portrait OF Washington, "hich was
broken from large pitcher, on the sue U, "".In
it was painted. and which Is consldereu ny inc
family the best likeness OF him IN existence,
is set in small frame, and the face has tuiihess
and a nobleness Of expression which we never
have seen n any other of his portraits. mere Is
little display of furniture in the rooms anu IL, most
of il was used in the time of Washington. There
are rows of low buildings extending along each
end of the house, occupied by the slaves and tor
domestic purposes. and beyond these, in front,
are gardens and greenhouses, with a neat lawn
between them. On the side towards the river,
there is long and high colorado which supports
the roof, which is continued from the house, and
forms cool and pleasant retreat from the heat OF
| the sun. The plants and trees which were grow
! ing in the time Of Washington, and in which he
took peculiar interest, are preserved, and point
ed out with almost religious veneration. The
descent towards the river is rapid, and the banks
are lined with forest trees.
| The tomb in which the remains of Washington
re2ose is between the house and the river. 1t is
Of small dimensions, and of the pIanest construc-
ton, presenting narrow front of brick, with a
humble door. and having on the top plumber OF
cedars which were planted BY the hand OF him
whose ashes sleep beneath their shade. These
trees have been stripped OF their foliage almost
to their tops, and even their bark, and the grass
on the tomb has escaped but in part zeal for
relics, scarcely less han that which is felt by the
/ followers of Mahomet, to obtain portion OF the
sacred veil of the Caaba. There is no ornament
of art to withdraw the mind from the feelings OF
high and noble interest which the scene excites.
We may say of the hero, "his name alone be his
epitaph." That name will be the watch-word
of liberty in all future ages. and even now 1t IS
stampeh in living characters on the hearts OF mil
lions of freemen throughout the world. But still
when we looked on that humble spot and saw the
fence which surrounds the tomb. and even the
door of the narrow vault itself. broken and de-
cayeu, ana lnen tnOuSnt llO" Htt!c 10 ie't VI ""u
when his immortal spirit is gune, we were struck
with what Byron says in his Ode to Napoleon.
weighed in the balance, hero dust,
| Is vile and vulgar clay,
Thy scales, Mortality, are just
| Toall who pass away"
A proposition has been made to remove the re-
mains of Washington to the basement story of the
Capitol, and there erect monument But to
Us it would seem kind of proclamation, that they
should thus be trodden under foot Of men.
Let hi, ashes repose in quiet, amid the beau
ties of Mount Vernon. surrounded with thous-
and objects of nature and of art, which are asso-
ciated with his memory. Doubtless his phioso-
phic mind often dwelt on that delightful spot as
a final resting place from his labors on earth, and
calmly looked forward to that time when, freed
from the cares and trials of an eyentful life, his
dust should sleep in peace in the narrow house
which he had prepared for it. Could his voice
now be heard, we question not that it would speak
the sentiment of those lines which Shakespeare
wrote for his own epitaph, and which are ensrav-
ed on his humble tombstone:-
Good friend, for Jesus sake, forbear
To dig the dust enclosed here:
| Best be the man who leaves these stones,