Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-06-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the United States Gazette.

A VISIT TO MOUNT VERNON.
House, Grounds, and SerrantS.-We had occa-
sion, some days since, to visit the western shore of
Maryland, and to soourn there few days, with
tour brethren and kindred according to the aeshn
Among the means which kindness suggested for
amusement las if, in visiting friends, their associa-
ton, their fresde, and their fellowship were not
the most agreeable entertainment) was visit to
Mount Vernon, which, all who have read the writ
ings of Washington, as published by Sparks, will
recollect is opposite the mouth of Piscataway riv-
err which estuary stands the village of that not
very attractive, but very general Indian name-
Providence smiled on the undertaking. for the only
day of our absence on which it did not rain was
that selected for our pilgrimage. And at an early
hour we took carriage, pleasant party and made
our way to Fort Washington; and only those who
have travelled In that section of country where the
county road is fifteen feet wide by twenty deep.
with tarm-gate at every half mile, can tell what
are the difficulties of the journey. Whatever they
were, we essayed, and overcame them, reaching
the splendid Fort at nine, NJ, and thence proceed
ed in barge down and across the river Potomac
to Mount Vernon.
The approach to this consocratel ground, as we
descend the river, is not inposingy beautiful as
when ascending, and we, therefore, reached the di-
lapdated wharf (if detignated is not better term
for the decaying logs at ten O'clock. The ascent
from the river is bold, and since the heavy rains
rather difficult. Our party, male and femaie) how
ever proceeded up the hill of difficulty without in
curing the inconvenience of the slough of despon-
dency. On reaching the brow of the first hill one
is Immediately struck with the evidences of former
taste and ornament, and Of continued natural abi-
tiles. Before reaching the dwelling, the stables.
where stood the numerous and splendid stud of
Washington, are seen-seen in decay, not such as
his eyes would have rested on for a minute. but
such as, even in decay, show how much of order,
of elegance, was in all his plans The houses or
fnr the lnhDriDCr e1aupc
ings, affordlng comfort to the inmates, who were
yet numerous and growing. Every door was crowd
ed with groups Of youngsters, from six months 10
six years Of age, and there seemed no reason to
apprehend any dminution in the supply of this pro-
duction of the estate We turned to the left, and
passing along some elegant walks through rich
lawns, we used the privilege with which our cice.
rome was invested, and entered the private garden
that is usually locked. A huge stone wall surround
ed this delightful place; and at each angle and
the shape was such as to afford many, there was
handsome summer-house, giving to the whole the
appearance Of fort, with bastions. Here was a
splendid exhibition of iruittrees and flowers of all
kinds, from the humble lily of the valley, to the
elegant and beautiful rose THAT Mari, of all flow.
ers) with such collection of erotics as gentlemen
OF liberal taste love to possess and cultivate The
air was burdened with the mingled perfumes of the
rose, the shrub, the mgnonette and the orange
blossom; and above us and around us were enon9h
10 satisfy lne eye ana graly the taste of any lover
OF plants. 1t was lovely season to enjoy the rich.
es of horticulture. The vine was crowded with
incipient grapes of delightful odor, and the branch.
es of the fig tree were bending with their young
fruit. We could scarcely fail to recall to memory
the beautiful language of Solomon: "The iig tree
putteth forth her green figs and the vines, with the
tender grape, give good SMELL" OF all the ex
otlcs only two had been the property of Genera
Washington IAN old orange tree and an aloe plant
These were consecrated articles things to be gaz
ed on and remembered
One of the greatest curiosities of this gorde,
: was the gardener himself-"Ph Smith," as no wal
called. Phil was character. He had no recol
lections himself of the great man. whose name and