Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-12
The Last Scene OF Washington's Life

volumes, has just been completed. In the
fifth volume. after giving a succirct MARIA
tive Of the Administration Of Washington.
his retirement from Office. aud his mode Of
life AT Mount Vernon. Mr. Irving brings the
work T. close with the following de,cri ption
Of the fuale >cen- =
Winter had now set in, with ncra-iona
wind aud rain. aud fr">t. Vet ashIhgtnn
still kept ~ hi- active round 1T ini,Dr and
outdoor ayocatious. ~ his diary records
lie was ia full health aud vignr. diu-l OUT
occasionally. and had frequent guests at
Mount Vernon, and a usual. Wa part OF
every day in the saddle. going the round, of
his estates, aud, in his military phras-ology,
visiting the outpJsts.
He had recently walked with his iavorite
nephew about the grounds. showing the i'm
pruyement- he intended t. make, and had
especially pointed out the spot where he pur-
posed building new family vault, the old
one being damaged by tie roots OF Trees
which had oyergrown 1t and caused il 10
leak. This change" said he Il shall
make the first of all, for | may require it
before the rest
when parted from him" added the ne
phew. he stood on the step. Of the front
door. where he took leave Of myself and an
other. 1t vas a bright frosty morning; he
had taken his usual ride, and the clear heal
thv flush ON his cheek. and his sprightly man
ner. brought the remark from both Of u, that
we had never seen the General look 80 well.
| have sometime. thought him decidedly the
handsomest man | ever saw, and when in u
lively mood, ~ full Of pleasantly. ~ agreea-
bic to all with whom he associated that
could hardly realize he WAS the same Wash
ington whose dignity awed all who approach
cd him"
For some time past. Washington had been
occupied III digestng complete system on
which his estate was 10 be managed Tor sew
eral succeeding years; specifying the cult
vatlon of the several farms with tables desiy'
Mating the rotation Of crops. Ii occupied
thirty folio pages, and was executed with
that clearne.s and method which character
lied all his business papers. This Was fin
ished on the 10th Of December and was ac-
companied by letter Of tina, date u his
manager or steward. Ii IL Il valuable ducu-
ment, showing the -cundness and vigor OF
his intellect al this advanced stage of hi, ex-
istence and the love Of order that relgned
throughout his affairs. My greatest ankle
w." said he on previous ocrasI"u, is u
have all these concerns III such clear aud
distinct form that no reproach NAV at
tach itself 10 he when have taken my de-
parture for the land Of spirits.
Ii was evident, however, that full OF
health and vigor, he looked forward 10 hi.
long-cherished hope, the enjoyment Of a
serene old age III this home OF h- heart.
According u his diary. the morning on
which these voluminous instructions to his
steward We're dated, was clear and calm, but
the afternoon was lowering The next day
i lth. he notes there was wind and ram,
and lat night large circle round the moon.
The morning Of the 18th was overcast
That morning he wrote ii letter I" Hamilton
heartily approving Of u plan for military
academy, which the latter had submitted u
the Secretary Of War
/ About ~ o'clock he mounted MS morse
aud rode out as usual 10 make the ROUNDS o!
the estate. The ominous rng round the
/ moon, which he had observed on the pre-
cedng night, proved fatal portent About
one o'clock, he notes, 1T began t" snow;
soOn after to hail, and then turned 10 set
! tied cold ram. Having on an "Vercoat' he
continued his ride without regarding thr 1
weather and did not return 10 MS mouse I'LL
after 5.
Ills secretary spPr"acheo mn, VIII" 'e''e'
70 be RANKED tha' 'hey hi'g"' p ,,, 'nHo" "
The post once III the evening "",,'ns.pi
ranked the ieusrs, but "D,eI'eu u'"' '"'
weather was ,,p p'd " s"'9 . N .hs, ""'
with them. MIR. Lear perceived thal sho"