Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-02-05
..... For the Times.
"A visit to the Home Of Washington.
WASHINGTON CRY, Jan'y - '52.
For the Times.

1t is about sixteen miles iloin w
City. Three days in the week steamboats,
ore in readiness to convey the curious, BY
way of Alexandria, to this shrine o. Liberty.
Starting this morning about ten o'clock,
found some fifteen others, among whom
were several ladies', bound for the same ex-
pedition. The steamer was small, but glided
rapidly along upon the clear waters of the
Potomac, passing en- route, the Navy Yard,
Alexandria and Fort Washington, arriving
at Mt. Vernon about twelve o'clock.
Its appearance when approaching is by
no means striking. Somewhat more eleva-
ted than the surrounding country, the north
ern side of the hill appears to have been, at
one time, under cultivation; it is still en-
closed, flock of sheep and mich cows
were idly grazing upon it; upon the sum-
NIT is cluster of forest trees.
The house is barely to be seen from the
river.
The steamboat landing is upon small pier
which has been extended into the river, by
reason of its extreme shallowness; we march,
ed up the hill, upon plank road, prepared
for the benefit of visitors.
The vault first came in sight-notwith-
standing all had heard, l felt disappointed
and sad, on seeing the ruined, dilapidated
appearance of this tomb of the Great! with
no enclosure, and almost entirely over
grown with bushes and briers. The vault
10 of brick, with an iron door, just inside OF
which, under the arch, are tomb-stones of
Washington and his wife-plain marble
stones. Upon his the American coat Of
arms is chiselled, and his name inscribed.
Birds and dirt-daubbers have made their
homes within the arch, apparently for years,
giving it shocking and melancholy aspect.
Winding around the hill, on the plank
road we soon came in sight Of the house.
This too looks venerable, but seems long
neglected, though it is occupied by nephew
of General Washington.
1t is an old fashioned, country Lighthouse
having two wings and narrow passage,
with an observatory on top. To each wing
negro quarters are attached by covered pas
snges.
Going into the house servant met us
and conducted us first into the Generals
private se.ting-room. 1t is small and very
plainly furnished-a portrait Of the General
banging over an old Franklin stove, (the
same perhaps that he used,) centre-table
and few chairs, were all that it contained
I felt kind of severe awe, when standing
there, and recalling to my mind what was
once the employment of its occupant, and re-
Hecting upon the wonderful and glorious re,
suits of his labors.
We were next shown into the parlor.-
In this was nothing remarkable, its furni.
ture being evidently of recent make.
In the hall is suspended the key of the ole
French Bastlc, in glass case, with por'
trait of Washington, and picture of tn
Bastile hanging beside it. On the opposite
side hangs an old spy-glass. Beside these
were other ornaments on the walls placed
there by its present owner. Although tn
master was at home, this was all the hous
we were permitted to see.
The yard is Immediately back Of the house
II is large and seems once to have been tasti
" laid out; but now, all around bears an al
of neglect, and decay. The garden, enclose
with a stone wall, was locked, to proven
visitors from injuring the shrubbery. On al
most every prominent place from the river
through the grounds, are nailed up board
with this inscription. ''Visitors are re
specially informed that they will not b
permitted TO deface the premises, or tn
shrubbery."
After wandering about for an hour, look
ing at the cabins, barns and grounds nea
the house, we were warned by the steam
boat bell to take our departure. 1t was wit
saddened heart and feeling Of indign;
ton that took last look at this place, an
train Of reflections something like thi
came over me.
Why is it that the United States are eve
90 careless and neglcctful of her great mel
The history of every nation in the wor
shows the great pains which they have t
ken to perpetuate the memory other migl
ty dead. Rome and Greece had each the
monuments, statues and temples. EnglaI
has her Westminster Abbey, where not on
her Kings and Queens, but all her gre
men, Statesmen, Poets, Historians and Pf
losophers, are brought and enshrined, wi
pomp and ceremony Why does the Ur
J. ted States pursue a different course9 Is
that she believes such testimonies useless