The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-07
MOUNT VERNON.

We have noticed many attempts to describe
Mount Vernon, but we have met with none so
graphic and truthful as the following, by the editor
of the United States Gazette:
A VISIT TO Mourn VERNON HOUSE, GROUNDS,
AND Submissive had occasion, some days
since, to visit the western shore Of Maryland, and
to sojourn there few days. with "our brethren and
kindred according to the fesh.n Among the means
which kindness suggested for amusement Gas If, IN
visiting friends, their association, their resde, and
their fellowship, not the most agreeable enter
tanment,) was a short visit to Mount Vernon,
which all who have read the writings of Washing
ton as published by Sparks, will recoect is OPP
posite the mouth of Piscataway river, near which
estuary stands the village of that not very attract
i've. but very general Indian name. Providence
smiled the undertaking, for the only day of our
absence which it did not rain, was that selected
for the pilgrimage. And at an early hour we took
| carriage, pleasant party, and made our way to
Fort Washington; and only those who have travel
led in that section Of the country, where the coun-
try road is fifteen feet wide by twenty deep, with
farm-gate at every half mile, can tell what are the
difficulties of the journey. Whatever they were,
we essayed and overcame them, reaching the splen-
did fort at nino M, and thence proceeded IN
barge down and across the river Potomac to Mount
Vernon.
The approach to this consecrated ground, as we
descended the river, not imposngly beautiful
when ascending, and therefore reached the d.
lapda.cd wharf IF deignaied is not better term for
the decaying logs) at ten o'clock. The ascent to
the river is bold and since the heavy rains rather
difficult. Our party, (male and female however,
proceeded up the hill of dificulty without mourning
the inconvenience Of the slough Of dependency
On reaching the brow of the first hill, one is imme-
dately struck with the evidences of former taste and
ornament and of continued natural abilities. Be-
fore 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 minute, but such as, even In
decay, show how much Of order, of elegance, was
in all his plans. The houses, quarters, for the la
boring slaves, were pretty dwellings, aording COM
fort to the inmates, who were yet numerous and
| growing Every door crowded with groups Of
youngsters from six months to six years of age, and
there seemed no reason to apprehend any diminu-
ton in the supply Of this production Of the estate.
We turned to the left, and passing along some ele-
CANT walks through rich lawns, we used the priv.
lege with which cicerone was invested, and en-
tered the private garden that is usually locked. A
huge stone wall surrounded this delightful place;
and at each angle land the shape such as to af
| ford many there was handsome summer-house,
giving to the whole appearance of fort with bas-
tons Here splendid exhibition offruit trees and
flowers of all kinds from the humble lily of the val
ley to the elegant and beautiful rose, Chat Mary of
all fowers,) with such collection of erocs as gen.
temen of liberal taste love to possess and cultivate.
| The air was burdened with the mingled perfumes OF
the rose, the shrub, the mgnionete, and the orange
blossom; and above US and around us were enough
to satisfy the eye and crafty the taste OF any lover
Of plants It was lovely season to enjoy the riches
OF horticulture. The vine was crowded with in
cipient grapes of delightful odor and the branches
ofthe fig tree bending with their young fruit.
We could scarcely fail TO recall to memory the
beautiful language of Solomon: "The fig tree put
teth forth her green figs; and the vines with the ten
der grape, give good SMELL" OF all the exotics,
only two had been the property of General Wash.
ington--an old orange tree and aloe plant These
, were consecraied artclcs--things to be gazed on
! and remembered.
One Of the greatest curioses Of this garden was
/, the gardener himsef-"Phil Smith, as he was
. called. Phil was character. He had no recollec-
tons himself of the great man, whose name and
character give interest 10 the place, but he knew
how to give special interest to what could reach
back to the lifetime of that man, and to profit by
1 his abilities Though Phil was not obsequousy
i polite, there was nothing logged in his temper
lie liked company, but he liked to choose it; and
there was that in his face and eye, but especially r
the prouberances beneath and near his neither lip
r which showed him fond of the good things Of this
life" Phil knew what grapes were cultivated for.
Having gathered bouquet and procured few rel
, les, the party moved towards the house Its west
ern front had beautiful view Of the cultivated por
tons of the ground and from each corner sweep
circular open galleries to neat houses for kitchens
and the abode of house servants one of whom ovel
whose head time had swept for nearly hundred
years, standing and feeling out the familiar OBJ
. jects around her. A bandage beneath her forehead
showed 20
4 Wisdom at entrance quite shut OUT
r The eastern front of the house, along the Who'll,
length of which extends portco reaching upwards
10 the roof, looks out upon the Potomac, which, a
that point, has considerable bend, that an i'm
mense VIEWS acquired upward and downward. TIL,
grounds beautiful on the fronts and sides--beau
tfu not from hnica ornament, but from well spread
trees, well chosen vstas, and most lovely lawns
Pictures Of the place give toerabe idea of the from
of the house. but it is standing at the point which
the picture represents that the grand view is OBJ
5 tanned. We entered the house. 1t is furnished u
an elaborate style, with remarkably high walls 70
the age in which il erected, all decorated witt
, stucco work Of various descriptions. In the hal
are seen several curosities that belonged to Wash
ngton; the key of the Bastic, and other matters ia
mar TO travel readers and letter-writers. The fur
D nture OF General Washington has been removed