Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-09-18

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 de-
voted to the enjoyment and establishment of their
favore Mount Vernon The peace and returning
prosperity of their country gave pure and bright
ingredients to their cup Of happiness. The man
sion was .hronged with guests of Distinction all of
whom remarked with admiration the energy of Mrs.
Washington in the complicated duties of Vir-
ginia housewife, and the elegance and grace with
which she presided at her noble board.
The voice of free nation, comforting on Geuef-
al Washington the highest Office in its power to be-
stow, was not obeyed without sacrifice of feeling
1t was in the spring Of 1856, that with his lady, he
bade adieu to his tranquil abode to assume the re-
sponsbility of the first Presidency. In forming his
domestic establishment he mingled the simplicity
of republic with that dignity which he felt was
necessary to secure the respect of older Govern
ments. The furniture of his house, the livery of
his servants the entertainment of his guests, dis
played elegance, while they rejected osentation.
In all these arrangements, Mrs. Washington was a
second self Her Friday evening levees at which
he was always present, exhibited that perfect et-
quete which marks the intercourse of the digniied
and the high bred. Commencing at seven and
closing at ten they lent no more sanction to late
hours than to levy. The first lady of the nation
still preserved the habits Of early life. lndulging
IN no indulgence, she left the pillow at dawn and
after breakfast retired 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, was never omitted The duties Of the
sabbath were dear to her The President and her.
self attended public worship with regularity aud
in the evening he read to her, in her chamber, the
scriptures and n sermon o
The spring of 1917 opened to them with pleas
ing anticipatons The cares of high office were
resigned, and they about to retire. for the re-
mnlnder of their days, 10 the beloved shades of
Nom
greenness wherever they tod, the vernal blossoms
opened to receive them. The warbej welcome Of
the birds was never more dear, as wearied with
the tolls of public lle and satiaed with its honors
they returned to their rural retreat, hallowed by
the recollection Of earlier years, and by the con
seriousness Of virtue.
But in two years Washington was no more
The shock Of his death, after an illness of only
twenty -four hours tell like thundcr-bolt upon the
bereaved widow. The piety which had long been
her strength continued its support, but her heart
dropped; and though her cheerfulness did not ut.
terly forsake her, she discharged that habitua
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
marble monument be erected to mark the llace
of their repose.
"That by the great example which have had
so long before me never to oppose my private
wishes to the will of my country,-I consent to the
request made by Congress; and in doing this,
need not, cannot say what sacrifice of inlividu
al feeling make to a sense of public duty"
The intention of the Congress of 1877 has never
been executed nor the proposed monument erected
The enthusiasm Of the time passed away, and the
many conflicting cares of great nation turned it.
thought from thus perpetuating his memory whose
image, it trusted, would ever be enshrined in the
hearts Of great people.
Scarcely two years of her lovely wftlowhood
were accomplished ere the lady of Mount Vernon
found death approaching. Gathering her family
around her, she impressed upon them the import
of that religion which she had tested from he
youth onward to hoary hairs. Then calmly resign
ing her soul into the hands of Him who gave it, IL
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 Martha
Washington, we perceive that it was neither the
beauty with which she was endowed nor the high
station which she had attained that gave enduring
lustre 10 her character but her Christian fidelity
in those duties which devolve upon her sex. This
fitted her to irradiate her home, TO enlighten The
cares, to cheer the anXieies, to sublimate the en-
joynents of him, who, in the expressive Language
of Chief Justice Marshall, was $50 favored o
Heaven as to depart without exhibiting the weak
ness of humanity"