The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-02

public. These consist of the main hall. of the
dining hall at the north end, and little parlor or
study, adjoining It. Several engravings ornament
sh mem Dern in
in fox hunt, fsv0Tite pastime in the Old Do
minion But the first object which attracts the We is
theblack and dDRy key of the Base little glass
case, nailed up against the wall on the south side.
This relic of that awful dungeon was presented to
Washington by Lafayette. Close by it. is an en-
craving representing the sturdy republicans of
Pans, hundreds of them tearing the Bastile into
Fragments The rooms of the building are gene
rally small, the ceilings low but there is an evil
dence of taste and expense in the ornamental
wainsc0tiiDg with which they are finished. The
dining hall is comparatively large and commod-
Gus, with lofty vaulted ceiling, and commands a
hne opening to the north through a spacious win
dow. An immense old fashioned bureau, or book
case, stands in one corner. Against the walls are
several engrayings, and large painting of ia
miy group, life-size, of the mother and children OF
the present proprietor, that gentleman himself ap-
pearing in the group the Oldest of the offspring
tine looking boy of fifteen. The mantel piece Is
chef d'oewe. II was present from Italy to
washington. The supporting columns are of va
riegated marble, portions of il of the richest
have ever seen-the entablature is of a milky
white, and beautifully wrought in bas reliefs upon
It's face In the centre is represented group of a
milk maid, bearing upon her head goatskin full
Of milk, cow is at her side, and closely collect
ed flock OF sheep in front, with shepherd in the
back ground. The woman is leading a child by
the hand-to the right, attended BY his dog, plow'
boy, after good days work, is unhtching his
horses from the plOw, which is turned over in the
furrow.to the left is represented young girl a,
the well, pouring out bucket of water into ano-
ther vessel, and child is near her with its apron
full of sticks, to light the evening fire. How beau
| tifully appropriate all this.
In the little parlor OF study adjoining these are
four large engravings of the defence of Gibraltel
by the British, against the combined sea and land
forces of Spain and France and faded painting
of some colonial landing scene, sits upon the man
tepiece. Against the back wall of the fireplace
in relief is the crest and arms of Washington, a
griffin upon ducal coronet, which rests upon a
ball with the initials of G. w.
The rest of the establishment being occupied by
the family, is closed against the public. But the
room in which Washington died is said to remain
now with lis furniture, and walls OF medicine
upon the manelpiece, as in the day of his death;
and from this room even the family are excluded.
Across the lawn, towards the river, on the verge
OF the rapid descent of the wooded hill side against
venerable Spanish oak tree, is the ice well, shell
tered by a summer-house. But the walls of the
well are caving in, and the summer-house over il
is gray with age. A hundred yards to the right, in
a small field, which was planted this year IN broom
corn, and amidst clump of old oaks and decay
ing cedars, is the original tomb of ashington.-
Here, too, the walls are caviDg in, and with the
fall of corner of the arch, cedar lies PROSTATE,
half cut In two the negro, perhaps, having suddenly
thought of something else before the job of remov-
ing IT out Of the way was completed. A hundred
yards SO, to the west of the old tomb is the ne
one, where, through the iron CRATE, the sarcophage
OF Washington and his consor are seen side by
side. To the right, enclosed by an iron railing a
handsome obelsk marks the spot where repose the
remains OF Mrs. Conrad, grand niece of Wash
ington and fate the wife ofMr Conrad the pre- se
Secretary of War. Heaps of brush lie in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the tomb, the remains of trees
and shrubbery cut down, giving to this sacred
spot neglected and wasteful appearance. The or
chard of apple trees adjoining, and covering the
slope of the hill, relieved, somewhat, the general
monotony and decay, by the bountfu crop of fruit
with which the trees were loaded.
While it cannot be denied that the first impress
sion Of the visiter TO Mount Vernon, is the aspect
all over of neglect and decay, he cannot fail to
remark in all the arrangements of the buildings,
the green house. the garden, the paved way to the
stables, the ruins OF the brick wall around the
lawn, and In all the details of the homestead, the
evidences of the taste, the method, the order and
neaness, the simplicity, and yet the elegance which
characterized the domestic establishment of Wash
ingion.
mac, here mile wide, of Fort Washington, and
the surrounding hills of Maryland and Virginia, is
fine. The summit level of the hill being hundred
and fifty feet above the river, commands fine pros
pect upon and down the stream.
But enough Tor the present OF lame description.
We can perhaps account for the tumble-down ap-
pesrance of things at Mount Vernon. The con slant
stream of visiters is, necessarily, source of coa-
stsnt annoyance TO the family, and must continue
TO be. Col. Washington would readily dispose of
the estate 10 the government IL has been reduced
by division, from its original 1900 acres, with as
much more adjoining, To about 200 acres and
perhaps 100000 would buy il. Government ought
TO take possession. IL can only he an incumbrance
family; and government alone can afford to
preserve the property from total ruin. We do not
so much bsne Mr. Washington for ncr,ec,irr the
preservation Of his property, when the ince sslnt
visits of the public render il almost valueess.-
Government ought 10 buy the estate. The land
could be devoted TO the support of the widows and
OruhauR Revolutionary sol md he haus
itself could be given into the custody of a corps Of
nvalids from the wars. What delightful retreat
for our invalid soldiers!
We trust that Gen. Davis will push forward his
bill for the purchase of Mount Vernon for this pur-
pose, or II for no other purpose, for the single OBJ
Jce 81 opening the place 10 the public, so that they
may visit II without the draw back that they are
intrudlng upon private family. IL is wrong in
itself that private family should be taxed without
compensation, for the public benefit The thanks
OF the public, however, are due 10 Col. Washing
ton, for his consent TO the opening Of steamboat
communication from this city, which cannot fail 10
increase his visitors by hundreds and the public
thanks are also due TO our enterprsng citizens who
have established the medium Of an easy and quick
trip TO Mount Vernon, occupying few hours only,
and the sum total Of dollar for the round trip
Strangers will learn when to go by nquiring at
Browns Hotel
We take the liberty to extend to Mr. Bennett
and his family, should they come TO Washington
this season, invitation TO visit Mount Vernon by
the steamer Thomas Collyer. IL will pay for seve-
raj hours, in those associations of the visit which
will last for a lifetime.
Duice 81 deooruH est pro pafrid mort 4"
II is the sentiment Of a thousand years. And we
cannot but envy the glorious Immortality of Wash
ngton, whose life was devoted TO his country; and
whose character is stamped upon its unnvslled
grandeur and prosperity. But we are getting
lengthy. We dismiss our felow-visters without
ceremony, saying nothing Of the picnic with the
ladies' and congratulate the public upon the oppor-
tunity Of trip TO Mount Vernon for dollar.
Our Bsltimsre Correspondence.