The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-09-13
The Last Scene Of WashiDgton's Life.

Irving's new Life Of Washington, in five
volumes, has just been completed In the
fifth volume, after giving II sufficient mar
rative of the Administration Of Washing
ton. his retirement from Office, and his
mode Of life at Mount Vernon, Mr.. Irving
bring the work to close with the follow
ing description OF the final scene:
Winter had now set in, with occasional
wind, and rain, aud frost, yet Washington
still kept up his active rounds Of indoor
and outdoor n, a,ocatons, ms his diary records
He was in full health and vigor, dinod out
occasionally, and had frequent guests at
Mount Vernon, and, as usual, was part Of
every day in the saddle, going tho rounds
of his estates, and, in his military phr ise.
ology, "visiting the outposts."
He had recently walked with Lis favor.
ito nephew about tho grounds, showing
tie improvements he intended to make,
and had especially pointed out tho spot
where he purposed building new family
vault, the old ono being damaged by the
roots of trees which had ovcrgrown il and
caused it to leak. This change said he,
81 shall make the first of all for may
require il before the rest"
"When parted from him." added the
nephew, "he stood on tho steps Of the
front door, where lie took leave Of myself
and another. 1t was bright frosty morn.
ing; he had taken his usual ride, and the
clear healthy flush on his cheek, and his
sprightly manner, brought the remark from
both us that we had never seen the gene.
raj look so well. ! have sometimes tho't
him decidedly tho handsomcst man ever
saw and when in lively mood, so full Of
pleasuntry, so agreeable to all with whom
he associated, that | could hardly realize
he was tho same Washington whose digni-
ty awed all who approached him."
For some time past Washington had
been occupied in digesting n complete sys-
tenn on which his estate was 10 be managed
for several succeeding years; specifying the
cultivation Of the several farms, with tn
blcs designating tho rotation Of crops. 1t
occupied thirty folio pages, and was exeeu
ted with that clcarness and method which
characterized all his business papers. This
was finished on the 10th Of December, and
was accompanied by letter of that date
TO his manager or steward. 1t is a valua.
bic document, showing the soundness aud
vigor of his intellect at this advanced stage
of his existence, and tho love Of order that
rcigncd throughout his affairs. "My great.
est anxiety" said he on q previous occa-
sion, sis to have all those concerns in such
n clear and distinct form that no reproach
may attach itself to me when have taken
my departure for the land of spirits"
II was evident, however, that, full of
health and vigor, he looked forward to his
long cherished hope, the enjoyment Of
serene old age in this home Of his heart.
According TO his diary, the morning or
which these voluminous instructions to his
steward wero dated was clear and calm,
but the afternoon was lowering. The next
day-llth-he notes there was wind and
iain, and cat night large circle round the
moon"
The morning Of the 18th was overcast.
That morning he wrote letter to Hamil
ton, heartily approving Of plan for
military academy. which the latter had
submitted to the Secretary Of War
About 10 o'clock, he mouGted his horse
and road out as usual to make the rounds
of the estate. The ominous ring round
the moon, which he hsd observed on tho
preceding night, proved fatal potent
about O'clock" he notes, sit began to
snow, soon after TO hail, then turned to y
settled cold rain" Having on an over.
coat, he continued his ride without regard.
ing the weather, AMI did not return to his
house till after thee.
His secretary approached him with let.
tcrs to be frankcd, that they might be Ia
ken to tho post Office in the evening -
Washington frankel the letters, but observ-
ed that the weather was too bad to send
servant out with them. Mr.. Lear per-
ccivcd that snow as hanging from his
hair, and expressed lis fears that he had
got wet; but he replied, "No, his great
coat had kept him dry" As dinner Lad
been waiting for him, lie sat down 10 tho
table without changing his dress. "In the
evening"" writes his secretary, "ho appear
cd as well as usual"
On the following morning tho snow was
three inches deep and still falling, which
prevented him from taking his usual ride.
He complained Of n sore throat, and had
evidently taken cold the day before. In
the afternoon the weather cleared up, and
hc went out on the grounds between the
house and the river, to mark some trecs
which were to be cut down. A hoarso.
ness which had hung about him through |
the day grew wo,so towards night, but he
male light of it.
Ho was very cheerful in the evening, MS
he sat in the parlor with Mrs. Washington
and Mr.. Lcer, amusing himself with the
papers which had been brought from the
post office. When he met with anything
interesting or entertaining. he would read
it aloud as well as his hoarscness would
permit, or he listened and made occasional
comments while Mr.. Lear read the debates
Of the Virginia Assembly.
On retiring to bed, Mr.. Lear suggested
that he should take something to relieve
his cold. "No," he replied, "you know I
never take ANYTHING for a coll. Let il 90