The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-09-06

Mount Vernon. Il hear said she, the
first and last cannon of the revolutionary
war. The rejoicings which attended the
surrender of CORVALLIS, in the autumn of
1881, marked for her a season of the Deep
est sorrow.
Her remaining child, Col. John Gusts,
the abide. camp of Washington, became
during his arduous duties at the seige of
Yorktown, the victim of an epidemic fever,
and died at the age of twenty seven. He
was but boy of five at the time of her Sec
ond marriage, and had drawn forth strongly
the affections and regard of her illustrous
husband, who shared her affection for his
loss, and by the tenderest sympathy strove
to alleviate it.
After the close of the war, few years
were devoted to the enjoyment and embel-
ishment of their favorte Mount Vernon
The peace and returning prosperity of their
country, gave pure and bright ingredients
to their cup of happiness. Their mansion
was thronged with guests of distinction, all
of whom remarked with admiration the en-
ergy of Mrs. Washington in the complica-
ted duties of Virginia house wife, and the
elegance and grace with which she presided
at her noble buard.
The voice of a free nation, comforting
on General Washington the highest office
in its power to bestow, was not obeyed with.
out sacrifice of feeling. II was in the spring
of 1889, that. with his lady, he babe adieu
to his tranquil abode, TO assume the respon-
sibiiity of the first Presidency. In forming
his domestic establishment, he mingled the
simplicity of a republic with that dignity
which he felt was necessary to secure the
respect of older governments. The furni-
ture of his house, the livery of his servants,
the entertainment of his guests, displayed
elegance, while they rejected ostentation.-
In all these arrangements, Mrs. Washing
ton was second self. Her Friday evening
levees, at whchhe was always present, ex-
hibited that perfect etiquette which marks
the intercourse of the dignified and highs
bred. Commencing at seven. and closing
at ten, they lent no more sanction to late
hours than 10 levity. The first lady of the
nation still preserved the habits of early
life. INDUCING in no incidence, she left
her pillow al dawn, and after breakfast re.
tired TO her chamber for an hour, for the
study of the scriptures and devotion. This
practice. it is said, during the long period of
half century, she never omitted. The
duties of the Sabbath were dear to her,
The President and herself attended public
worship with regularity, and in the evening,
ne read to her IN her chamber, the scrip
lures, and sermon.
The Spring of 1907 opened for them with
the most pleasing anticipations. The cares
of high office were resigned, and they were
about TO retire, for the remainder of their
days, to the beloved shades of Mount Ver-
non. The new turf springing into fresh
greenness wherever they trod, the vernal
blossoms opening to receive them, the war
bed welcome of the birds, were never more
dear, as, wearied with the tolls ofpublic life,
and satiated with its honors, they returned
to their rural retreat, hallowed by the re-
collections of earlier years and by the con-
scientiousness of virtue.
But in two years Washington was no
more. The shock of his death, after an ILL.,
ness of only twenty -four hours, fell like
thunder. bolt upon the bereaved widow
The piety which had long been her strength
continued its support, but her heart droop-
ed and though her cheerfulness did not
utterly forsake her. she discharged her ha.
bitual round of duties, as one who felt that
the glory had departed
How beautiful and characteristic was her
reply to the solicitations of the highest
authority of the nation, that the remains of
her illustrious husband might be removed to
the seat of government, and a marble mon
ument erected to mark the spot Of their re-
pose.
Taught by the great example which l
have had so long before me never to oppose
my private wishes to the will of nv coun-
ry consent TO the request made by con-
gress and in doing this, need not, can
not, say what sacrifice of individual feel
ings | make to sense of public duty
The intentions of the Congress of 1897
have never been executed, nor the proposed
monument erected. The enthusiasm of
the time passed away, and the many COM
flcting cares of great nation turned its
thought from thus perpetuating his memo
ry, whose image, it trusted, be ever enshri.
ned in the hearts of grea people.
Scarcely two years of her lonely widow
hood were accomplished, ere the lady of
Mount Vernon found death approaching.-
Gathering her family around her, she in
culcated the value that religion which she
| had tasted from youth onward to hoary
hairs. Then calmly resigning her soul into
the hands of Him who gave it, at the age Of
seventy, full Of years, and full of honors.she
was laid in the tomb of Washington.
In this outline of the lineaments, of Mar
tina Washington, we perceive that it was
neither the beauty, with which she was en-
bowed, nor the high station which she had
attained, but her Christian fidelity in those
duties which devolve upon her sex. This
fitted her to irradiate the home, to tighten
the cares, TO cheer the anxicties, to subIi-
mate the enjoyments of him who, in the
inexpensive language of the Chief Justice
Marshall, was so favored of Heaven as to
depart without exhibiting the weakness of
humanity