St. Mary's beacon., 1858-07-29
ECoMMUSIcATED,
A Trim % Gon1k Vernon.

GesEFs. ESllturs,--lt was my privilege muS
long since 10 make pilgrimage to the Tomb Of
Washington. Il was beautiful day in early
summer. Nature had decked herself in the
most luxuriant robes Of verdaIlt foliage. The
dag was warm but not Oppressive, and, indeed
! we promised ourselves abundant pleasure frUm
our excursion So Il was with hearts thro6-
bing with jny and expectation, that we boarded
the swift and pleasant little steamer, Thomas
Colyer, az Alexandria. A large party, Of both
sex. was already on beard, bound ON the same
excurSitm, and, as we steamed meTrily down
the noble Potomac, all appeared blithsnme and
gay. There was . very refreshing breeze
caused By Che velocity Of the BEAT, which made
! our passage, though short. extremely plea
SAINT. But soon We reached the landing. and
Immediately slept upon the wharf, which,
by-the-way, Is not very substantial one
Then we threaded our way, two and two. up
the narrow path, On either side of which were
scattered in rich profusion many wild flowers
Of the forest. which pcrfumed the air with their
od0riferous fragrance
This beautiful and shady dell could not fail
to awaken the most Impractical soul, and 10 in
spire the dullest mind with visions Of fancy -
Twas ike wandering through "dream lands
fancy bowers" and, ere I was aware Of IL. I
stOOd suddenly before the tomb where is de-
posted the sacred ashes Of the ilIustrious dead
Oh! what indiscribable feelings were mine.
when / stood before that sacred repository and
read upon the arch above the door "Here lies
the remains Of Gen. George Washington 90
A reveTentiah awe Eeerned Co Gpspire all With a
sacred silenc&, who drew near 90 read the in
scnPtiUn and b gaze upon the tomb. There
was o marked simplicity, indeed, approaching
TO negligence about every thing connected with
the place. There were no marble walls. no
pillars Of statuary supporting gilded tlomes.
upon which were emblazoned In letters of gold
the illustrious deeds Of mighty conqueror-
no Sliken banners wrapt their draped folds
around the images Of a departed her,I-no bril-
liant paintings, representing bloody battle
fields where were won the deeds of his fame
no, none of these were there to mock with their
presence the memory Of our Washington. No
long list of battles won, and heroic deeds of
vaior, were inscribed upon that tomb-no, but
simply "WAsHINGToS.'
For long time, gazed upon the tomb. un-
conscious Of all around me, until was AVA
kened from my deep reverie and called away
by friend to see the other portions of the
ground; and as turned away, it was with
sigh Of relief. for it seemed as If I was released
from the influence of some magic spell which
depressed Inc with feelings of awe and sacred
dread.
We then went up to see the Mansion
House, which was thrown open for the accom-
mediation Of the visitors. We wandered
throughout each room, gazing upon the walls,
paintings and other rclcs-all of which secn;-
cd to tell us Of him who had once been their
owner. Among the curious relics, noticed
the key of the Bastile, also a painting repre-
Senting the denOlishine Of that famous old
prison.
The house, as well as the grounds and gar
ten, IS very much i'll want of repair. The
hagstones IN the piazza are all lotIse and the
columns look as if they would tumble down
with the slightest pressure do not mean t.
censure MIR John A. Washington for a want
OF proper attention; for in. his limited circum-
stances 1t could not i've expected of him to keep
it in perfect state of repair. And think
much credit is due him for the great neatneSs
IN which the place is kept. Yet it is tn be
hoped that when the Ladies' Association,
come IN full possession of it, they will spare no
cost to render it the Niece" and Modina whore
many willing pilgrim may offer up his pa
triotic devOtions upon the shrine of liberty
After pleasant ramble over the grounds. and
long before we were tired, the steamboats,
whistle summoned us on board. So with many
regrets We were compelled Ia bid farewell to
the sacred grounds, and with one more look
upon the Tomb. we departed.
POTOMAC.