Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-12-07
MARrIsBuRG BERKELEY MORNING. DECEMBER J. s

Of glory arose upon her house. Some Of the aged In
iabltants of Fredericksburg long remembered tie
matron, cas- sealed in old-fashioned open chaise
she in the habit Of visiting, almost daily her liz
tie farm in the vicinity Of the town When there
she would ride about her fields giving her orders and
seeing that they were obeyed.v When on one occa-
sion an agent departed from his insiructionsshe re.
proved him for exercising his own judgment in The
matter 81 command you )" she said sslhere is moth.
ing left for you but 10 obey
Her charity 10 the poor was well known; and hav-
ing wealth to distribute, was necessary thai what
her benevoeBce dispensed should be supplied By do
nestle economy and industry. How peculiar grace
does this mpart to the benefits flowing from a sym
pathizIng heart
II is thus that she has been pictured in the magma
ton Of one of our most giited poes.*
Meihinks we see thee, as in olden time.
Simple 10 garb, majestic and serene
Unawed by pomp and csrcumsiance'-n truth
Inflexlble-and with Spartan zeal
Repressing vice, and making folly grave.
Thou didst not deem il woman's part TO waste
Life in ingorious sloh, TO sport awhile
Amid The flowers, on the summer wave,
Then feet like the ephemeron away.
Building no temple in her chidren's hearts,
Save 10 the vanity and pride Of life
Which she had worshipped."
Mr.. Gusts states that she was continually visited
and solaced in the retirement OF her declining years
by her children and numerous grandchildren Her
daughter, Mrs Lewis, repeatedly and earnestly soc-
lied her 10 remove TO her house, and pass the remain
der OF her days. Her pressingly en;reated her
that she would make Mount Vernon the home Of her
age. But the maIons was: II thank you
for your aheconate and dutful offers but my wants
few in this world, and feel perfectly competent
TO take care Of myself" To the proposition OF her
son in law Col. Lewis 10 relieve her by taking the
direction OF her concerns, she replied. do you,
Fielding, keep my books in order for your eyesgh,
is better than mine but leave The executive manage
ment to me-" Such We're the energy and indepen-
dence she preserved 10 age beyond that usually al
loed to mortals, and I'LL within three years OF her
death, when the disease unde. which she suffered
Cancer OF the breasi,) prevented exertion.
Her meeting with Washington, after the victory
which decided the fortune OF America illustrates her
character TOO strikingy to be omitted. AFTER an alb
sence OF nearly seven years. II was, at length on the
return Of the combined armies from Yorktown, per-
mued 10 the mother again 10 see and embrace her il
lustrious son.
The lady was alone---her eyed hands employed in
the works OF domestic industry when the good news
was announced; and il was further told, that The vic
Tor CHIEF was in waiting al the threshold She wei
coined him with warm embrace and By The we'll re-
membered and endearng names Of his childhood
lnqulrIng as 10 his health, she remarked the lines
which mighty cares, and many trials, had made on
his manly eountenance spoke much Of old times,
and old trends; bat Of his glory, not one ,cord!"
The Marquis de La Faye repaired 10 Fredercks-
fall Of 7e4, TO pay his parting respects 10 the mother
and 10 ask her blessing. Conducted by one of her
srandsons, he approached the house, when the young
gentleman observed: There, sir, is my grandmother
La Fayette beheld-working in the garden, clad in
domestic made clothes, and her gray head covered
with plain straw hat--the mother of this hero his
friend and a counlrys pfeseryer. 'Ah, marquis you
see old woman; but come, can make you wei
come 10 my poor dwelling, without the parade of
changing my Dress"
To the encomiums lavshed by the marquis on his
chielhe mother replied Il am not surprised at what
George has done, for he was always a very good
boys
The person Of Mrs. Washington is described as be-
ing OF The medium height, and well proporoned-
her features peasInga though strongly marked There
were few painters m the colonies in those days, and
no portraits of her is in existence.
Mrs. Washington died at the age Of eshty- Eve, re-
joicing in the consciousness of a lie well spent, and
the hope of blessed immortality. Her ashes repose
at Fredericksburg, where splendid monument has
been erected TO her memory.