The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-11-15
From the Detroit Free Press.
Gen. JacIIson's Hermitage.


The Generals mansion is a very large
and spacious one, and presents grand APP
pearance as you approach. 1t is built of
brick, and is erected on the very site Of his
old building, which was burned down
during his Presidency. The present
mansion consists of main building with
wing on each SIDE The main building
is two stories high, with piazza to each
story, both in front and rear, which are
sustained by immense columns.
One Of the most interesting scenes
about the Hermitage, and one eminently
characteristic of its distinguished occu-
pant, is the monument erected by Gen.
Jackson, in his garden, to the memory Of
his deceased wife. The whole, from top
TO base, is built of marble. First there is
vault Of circular form, twelve or fifteen
feet in diameter, the top of which is about
four feet from the ground, and is ascend
cd by a flight of marble steps. In the
centre stands pedestal Of square hewn
marble, six or eight feet high and the
whole is surmounled and sheltered with
a marble roof, which is supported by col
umns of 0uted marble ten or twelve feet
high. In the vault, on one side Of the
pedestal, are the remains Of his wife, COW
cred with marble slab, on which is en-
graved sublime description of her worth
and virtues. On the other side Of the pc
destal is place prepared for his own re-
mains, which is covered with marble
slab, on which, thank God, there is yet
no inscription, and long, very long, by
the blessing of Heaven, may il be without
one.
The spacious and lofty walls of the
Generals mansion, are almost covered
with splendid paintings, the most cher
ished of which, as would naturally be
supposed, are those of military charac.
ter, representing scenes in which bravery
has carved its way to success and glory.
The Generals favoric picture, | am told,
is one occupying conspicuous position
in the hall, which exhibits Mr.. Poinseu,
our minister to Mexico, bearing and tri-
umphantly displaying, from the balcony
of his diplomatic residence, the American
flag, as protection to those who rushed
under its folds to escape the fury of muir
derous Mexican mob. suppose the value
Of the picture, in Gen. Jackson's estima-
ton, consists in The high respect thus paid
by semi-barbarians, in a foreign land, to
the Star-spangled Banner, which it has
been the great purpose of his life to uphold
and make honorable throughout the world
and upon which he has shed such bril-.
liant lustre, by his exploits upon so many
victorious battle fields.
Taken all in all, the Hermitage is
place of incompatible beauty, interes, and
grandeur-just such a place as | should
suppose great man, combining the pro-
minent qualities Of the philosopher with
those of the general and statesman, would
select and prepare for his retirement from
the storms Of public life. 1t consists of
about 1000 acres of land, which are divi,
ded with admirable order and arrangement
into gardens, pleasure grounds, lrui, or
chards, shaded walks, forest lands, and
cultivated tields-the whole evncing the
Generals forelhought, superior judgment,
love Of order, excellent taste, and true
philosophy.
CoUscrENcE.-Nothing in this world
is so often deceive,l--not avon vomenI