The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-03-05
hence the panic ofthe Times does not ap-
pear well founded.
THE. HOME OF WASHINGTON.


once made TO Mount Vernon, the home of
WASHINGTON:
We left Washington in a steamer, and pro-
ceeded down the Potomac as far as Alexan-
dria, where taking a carriage and driving a.
bout miles farther, we came 10 the Mount
Vernon grounds. The gate was opened by
an aged cofored woman whose cottage was
near, and we passed about two miles farther
over bad road, which brought US 10 lawn,
in front of the mansion, bordered by elegant
shade trees which were transplanted from
their native forests under the supervision of
WASHINGTON The mansion is plain, I'M
pretending wooden building, finished on the
outside to resemble blocks of store, with an
entrance from the lawn. A portico with pill
lars runs along the front that looks upon the
Potomac, flows beyond another extensive
lawn that slopes TO the bank the river
Three or four rooms only are shown to visitors
that contain the most interesting memorials
of the Father of his Country. In the Hall
are many of these. The'key of-he Baslile,
although IFS legitimate officer ceased
long ago, still continues TO unlock
mournful thought, and the sad phantas-
magoria of that fearful resolution. This was
present from LAFAYETTE. There are prints
and pictul es upon the wall, as well as in the
adjoining room, which want of time forbade
us TO examine In the lofty room al the end
of the suite, is the celebrated mantelpieee,
also a present from LAFAYETTE. Ii is of
white Italian marble carved in agricultural
devices, and is very beautiful.
! A portion of the conservatory was burned
few years since, and has not yet been re-
! built. 1t is said that many fine plants per-
ished in it, and some planted and reared by
the hand of Washington. There were many
fourishlng ones in the Greenhouse and it
was filled with the delicate perfume of the
i flowers.
We regretted lie necessity of various no.
tees we saw put up around The grounds, tes-
ltifying so plainly of the plunderng propensi-
ties of visitors 1t is certainly unpleasant
enough for the resident family, that their pri-
vacy should be liable TO be broken at any
f hour in the day, without their garden flowers
!, being pluckea, and their beautiful plants de-
stIoyed by ihoughtless hands. Although in
, most instances, these depredalions result
i fiom the desire 10 possess something that be-
l0nged 10 The residence of WASHINGTON, and
shows how deeply, even at distant day, his
memory is hallowed BY his countrymen, still,
: private property should be respected, other
wise the public will have norightto complain
!, Iif the grounds are shut from them. A Wild
J flower, sprig of fir, sweet-briar, or mint,
that grows spontaneously in the lanes, and
woods, will be sufficient relic, and no one
should cut cane or walking stick in those
, beautiful woods without permission OF their
owner, any more than he should commit
: such trespess on any neighbours land.
The New tomb stands at a short distance
/ from the old one-we should think not quite
: so conspicuous from the river. 1t is Of brick
very plain, though neat, and, in front OF II IS
an area, enclosed with strong iron railing,
= where are placed the sarcophagi ofGEoRcE
: and MARTHA WASHINGTON. They are of
= white marble hers is plain, while that OF
2 WASHINGTON has sculptured eagle upon It.
: The inscriptions legible from out side The
d railway, are little more than the names.
We observed a birds nest in one of the
q angles of The marble slab over the entrance
: of the tomb. A servent told us that it had
a been many times taken away, but as the
: bird PERSISTED in building there, il was suffer-
3 ed at last 10 remain. Some 'mud-masons,
: wasps had commenced a colony on another
e portion.
:, 1t was beautiful scene. The blue Po-
J, tomac-the spring woods-those little crea-
a lures, with their ephemeral lives, seeming to
S seek protection by the ashes of the mighty
= dead--ihe marble, breathing the holy words,
: 81 AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE,
j. and the solemn sarcophagi, speaking ofthose
n whose tasks were all fulfilled, and who had
: gone 10 another world!
e The old tomb stands nearer the bank of
v the river. We went 10 it. Ii is now unused
e and open. 1t is tomb off the humblest pre-
: tensions, and ifany further proof was neces-
: sary of the simple grandeur of his mind, it
could be furnished by glance at the resting
p place prepared by himself, for himself, who
s was '.Jrst in tcar, first in peace, and first in
II the hearts of'his countrymen."
o Observing some servants busy in little
s grove, in front of the new tomb, we went
thither. They were enclosing with paling
grave very neatly sodded, aud so me sweet
/ briar still clngingto its native surf upon
5, il. 1t was the grave of a favorie servant, an
e aged coored woman, whose good and am
IS liable character had won respect and regard.
n "When did she die?" we enquired. "She
1t parted from US last Sunday was the re-
ii ply.
IS There were many graves in the grove, and
IS one the servants pointed out that of WASH
L INGToN's favorite servant, who was with him
d inhs campaigns, fulfilling his simple duties
d faithfully and atfectionately. The spot is
not forgotten, though the tramp of passing
) years has leveled the little mound. Nor
n was that humble cemetery mournful spot;
tho hr1c al.