Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-06
THE EVENING STAR.
". ID. WALLACE, Editor and Prspris.sr.
WAeHINaTOM CITYs
SATURDAY. 6, 1865
MOUNT VERNON.

A recent visit to Mount Vernon found the
place in good state Of preservation, none Of
the ravages of war having extended in that
direction. The scouting parties of both armies
have always regarded 1t as neutral grounds,
and never violated its precincts by acts OF
hostility. The agent Of the Mount Vernon
Association remains at the mansion ana Is
bitter secessionist, not having visited Alex
andria since the war, In consequence OF the
necessity of taking the oath. His wife, how
ever, more loyal or less scrupulous, subscribed
to the oath, and is allowed TO come to the city
for supplies
The house remains precisely as it was four
wears ago. The same table and blank book for
registering the names of visitors stands in the
hall, with the key to the French Bastile, pre-
scented by Lafayette to Washington, hanging
over them in its little glass case, and speci.
mems Of wood and minerals above the doors
The agent with his wife and two or three
children, occupy a suite Of rooms on the left Of
the hall, and few negroes inhabit the kitchen.
In the dining hall are three of Washington's
dining tables, an old feeble toned harpsichord,
and the tripod and compass with which their
nlustrious owner surveyed the wilderness of
Lord Fairfaxs estate.
The stucco Of the ceiling representing flow.
ers and sheaves of wheat is in as good con-
dition as could be expected, and with a little
early attention can be preserved for many
years. In the east parlor is a sofa, rocking
chair. and in the west parlor q terrestrial
globe, and q dim old sketch OF a scene before
Carthage.
In the library is the original plaster cast of
Washin gton, by Houdon, and cast Of La
fayette. The few books are all OF modern
production and belong to the inmates of the
house, with the exception OF gray old volume
SAoot
"George Washington" on the fly leaf With the
book is q letter dated 1913 to Rev. Mr.. Fairfax.
Up stairs in the southwest corner Of the man.
sion is the room in which Washington died.
A fac simile of the bed upon which he breathed
his last, stands in the corner, and is the only
furniture In the apartment On the iron back
OF the fire place are deeply cut the letters .G.
W." Throughout the mansion there reigns an
oppressive stiffness, broken only by the echo
OF footsteps on the bare floor; and looking
from the dim, time-stained rooms out upon the
deserted fields, and unbroken surface Of the
river, feeling of loneliness comes over one
which no effort can shake off.
Without, the gravelled drive is as smooth and
clean as when the carriages Of the most lordly
rolled up to the hospitable mansion, and the
lawns stretch down towards their border of
trees carpeted with the richest verdure The
flower garden is filled with the choicest plants,
many of which are in full bloom, loading the
air with fragrance. The tomb, so often de-
scribed, remains untouched. A lonely "Phpbe"
bird has built against the wall inside, and
with its plaintive monotonous call is the only
thing to break the dead silence Of the spot 1t
is subject for congratulation that so little ex.
pense il required to put the premises in as
complete order for the reception of visitors as
before the war. The fences need some repairs,
the shrubbery requires trimming, and few
vacant places In the flower garden might be
filled with plants, but beyond this little re-
mains to be done. The landing place is in
perfect order. though the water has become
rather shallow, but at high tide will no doubt
be OF SUFFICIENT depth to permit light draught
steamers to land. 1t is understood that ar
rangements are now On foot for reopening the
mansion to visitors, and that in a short time
excursion trips to this spot will be regularly
made