Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-01-24
INSTANTANEOUS. READING.


An INTERESTING 7DEscRlPTIoE. The New
York Herald, ,.on Saturday in alIuding to the
late visit of the Prince. Of Wales to Mount
Vernon, gives an account of the trip, so full
OF calinterest and so well written, that We
transfer it to our columns as memento OF
one OF the most interesting events which ever
took place In this vicinity -
AL the associations of that historical ex-
curslon are OF the most happy character
The weather was deliciously warm and sum
ny, and the lnirth and gaiety Of the DIS
tinguished party harmonized we'll with The
rosy and Respondent beauty, of. the day
The Potomac shone like a mirror in its pic
turesque and wooded framework, ss the
steamer that bore them onward ploughed
her watery way, while the flags of all natl MS
autteIed gully from her rigging, and strains
Of exquisite melody evoked by the band ON
deck bore her company, and added new
charm to the delightful voyage, during
" hich the Prince beguiled few moments
by taking the place at the wheel and steer
ing. This last is a picture in ITSELF. Who
ever thought, in the time ct; George the
Third, that some day his descendant, the
heir to the British throne, woaldDbe found
steering United States steamer, with the
President of the republic on board, towards
the tomb of Washington, at which be was
about to pay homage and respect TO valor, to
wisdom, to goodness, which appeal to SYM
pathies so universal that they can nowhere
be resisted b ,.t.s.4rr..tg 80. .rnz.j
The soft rays of the autumn sun, playing
with golden light upon the foliage OF the
venerable trees which cast sacred shade
around the silent grave, and the impressive
tones of the dirge in '.Trovatore," performed
by the band, enhanced the solemn and uni
oue beauty of the scene. That party of
travellers stood like brothers at the tomb OF
him whose name brilliant history, for
getting all things but the grandeur of his
fame. 1t was a noble, a graceful, q royal
tribute to the free, and long will the people
of the United States remember that visit to
Mount Vernon. All present felt that they
were standing on ground censecrated BY the
love and admiration of thirty millions of
freemen, and the admirers of true greatness
and nobility throughout the world. Around
them was the deep wooded dell, in which
ancient oaks spread their knotted arms over
uxuriant shru ubbery extending to the wa
ter's side, while before them was the mauso-
eum. an arched vault surrounded by a
brick wall, with a pointed arch and double
gates of iron railngs opening into the outer
chamber, in which were two marble sarco-
phagi, on each of which rested slab, the
one to the right bearing the inscription OF
Washington, and the other of Martha, his
wife. The Prince made several remarks, it
may be remembered. apprecistiye of the glo-
rious character of the man whose death was
deplored by his country, and whose deeds
are imperishabie. lie also expressed o will
ingness to plant tree on the spot, in COM
memuration of his visit, and, some horse
chestnuts having been handed to him, hc
stopped and planted them in the earth. He
afterwards put few more in4his pocket,
with the intention, as he mentioned, of plant
ing them in Windsor Park upon his return
home, as another memento of an incident
which he should ever regard with feelings
Of peculiar interest. .....
From the tomb the company bent their
steps towards the house of Washington-a
long two stored wooden building, facing the
river-only thirty yards off by the path across
the weedy grounds. Thus, for nearly two
hours, the party continued their stay at
Mount Vernon, during the whole OF which
TIME they we're occupied in visiting and in
quiring into the surroundings of the interes-
ting spot They then returned by boats to
the steamer, where dgeuner was served,
after which, by general consent, dancing
commenced on deck, the speed of the steam
er being meanwhile reduced, at the Princes
suggestion, in order to proloug the pleasure
of the gay votaries of 'Terpsichore. Then
flying feet tripped to the swell of music, and,
it may have been, eyes looked love to eyes
which spake again. As the vessel advanced
the spires and chimneys of the gray old
town of Alexandria were seen glitteringin in
the sunlight, while every vessel at the
wharves was dressed with bunting in
honor of Fctorias son. 1t was halfpast
five bef; re the party, that had embarked an
hour before noon, a gain stepped on terra tf1nna
at the Washington Navy Yard, in the midst
Of another of those saiutes which had proclai-
med in iron-tongued accents the moment
of their departure. Thus ended that delight
ful excursion, which has since engaged the
conversation of the world"