, 1860-09-28
Interesting Relic


In the Masoaic Lodge Of Alexandra,
Virginia, over which Washington presided
as Master, may be seen beautiful knife
that was presented to Washington by bis
mother, as an inducemsnt to prevent him
from entering the British Navy as Mid
Ihipman, a stepin his career which, by the
persuasion Of his brother. Lawrence Wash
ingtOa, then serving as Lieutenant under
Admiral Vernon. be had decided to take.
Young Washington was enrnptured with
the idea Of becoming an officer 10 the Eng
hsh naFy, and no doubt bis aspirations led
hin 10 feel confident that be would at on
early day be High Admiral Of the British
feet Such was his passion for naval
glory that all the tender Influences Of q
most afeetionate mother were lost upon
him, until that fond parent held out in her
band the Aforesaid little knife, and said /:
ny son George, II yOu VA Aot sHisr hs
Kilg's aaral ssrrio, you HlaH 4Grs This
bsaHlifnl kHjsP The loving son needed
only this earnest sniresty Of his mother to
cause him to comply with her request. and
be did as all good sons and. daughters
should DO, hs Obeyed the wishes Of her who
had brought him into this world, nursed
and nurtured him, taught him 10 60 alone.
taught him to think, to speak aud to pray.
An this, and volumes upon volumes more,
every good mother teaches Der sons and
daughters, and still they often disregard
the advice Of their mothers. Washington
followed the teachings and wishes Of bis
mother, and As an ever dutiful sou stands
forth in bold relief upon the pages Of his
tory throughout the world. This little
maternal present to Washington Is treas
ured up in Washington Lodge at Alexan-
dria. for the purpose Of gratifying the visit
ors to that faVOrile city Of Washington,
and for tbo purpose Of enforcing the exam
pie Of sbedience on the part Of children to
their parents, set BY "The Father Of His
Couniy.n
In the most extensive biographical work
in the English language will be found, un-
der the letters WASH" a note to the fol-
lowing purpose "GeOrge Washington,
a native Of the British Colony Of Virginia,
who arrived to considerable distinction as
commander Of the Rebels against the
English Government. And owing to q
trivial mistake in the treaty Of Ak Ia Cha
pells. IN de6ulng the boundaries between
the possessions Of England and France in
North America. a dispute about those
boundaries sprung up between the two na-
tions, and led them into q war with each
other, when the British Colonies took
sides with France against their mother
country, and acquired their independence 7"
The British blographer thus disposes Of the
immortal Washington First in war
frst in peace and first in the hearts Of his
fsllow-citizens p Fellow-citizens" +" is the
trne expression, and not "fellow-country-
men.") Al the Washington Lodge, in
Alexandra, viii always be found a worthy
warden, ready to exhibit this historical
knife 70 whoever may wish to sec the valu-
able relic, and listen TO bis interesting &C
count Of the Aforesaid knife-tOgether with
q tale about remarkable pair Of gloves
that were worn on some extraordinary oe-
easicn, and many other deeply interesting
mementos Of The Worlds Great Wash
ingtou." At the library Of tie State De
partment can also be seen the biographical
vsrk wherein Is given the English version
q the cause that led to the grandeur and
sublimity which decorated the crown uni-
Versally bestowed upon the dutifOl son
WashiDgton.-Cor. Nsi0 York Express.