The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-06-18
Affairs at the National Capital and q
vi.ii To Monnt Vernon.
WASHINGTON. D. c.,
June 10. 1867.

June 10, 1867.
The President has been to Raleigh and
returned. The impeachment men have
come to an ingluri0us conclusion, and for
tue life of me | cannot think of any polit-
ical news which would interest those
living ut a distance from the Capitol
Washington is fairly drowsy, its condition
resembling the long sleep Of that ancient
denizcn Of the Green Mountains, the black
bear, except that the torpidity of the latter
docs not occur in summer. 1t Is true
that ;Signor Bitz exercises lis trained
Canary Birds, nightly, at the National
Theatre, while John t. Gough-ihc
Black Crook having given away to him,
warns young men against the seductive
influences Of mint juleps AMI cherry cob
b!ers at Wallis Opera House but these
arc poor substitutes for the all cngrossing
interest excited by that Heterogeneous
stock company which, throughout each
winter, cnActs national drama upon
Congressional boar.ls. Besides the atten-
ton which legislative embroglios excite in
the abstract, the citizens of WASHINGTON
have, with few exceptions, reasons Of II
pccuniary nature for enjoying the sessions
No class Of men are more thoroughly
ieeced than our Representatives, and il
patience under imposition and cXtorlior
he any mark Of an amiablc dl posi- ion,
they may safely be termed taM soi pen
aagc'iqec. There are yet some avenue:
Of enjoyment open TO us, among which
are the more quiet social pleasures whicl
follow the violent gaety OF the season,
and unlimited facilities for pleasant drives
walks, and river excursions. A few day,
since, the little steamer Wawasct left IL
wharf 1T the foot Of Seventh St., bearin.
small company Of young and old dow
the river toward Mount Vernon. TIL,
trip was new TO none, for it is very FIRE
quenlly made by all cls sScs during iii,
slmmcr months, but the time was unu>ua
being the latter part Of the afternoon =
Your correspondent, not knowing sou
among the eXcursionis,s, had expected I,
enjoy the river breeze, n book, and hi
cigar, So'N; but it was not 20 be. BciOr
, half Of the sixteen miles had been paS-e
he found himself acquainted with all upo
the boat, and contemplating (somcwha
ruefully) the plates of ice cream an
strawberries which were being devoured
! at lis expense, by the owners Ct s.ndr
, bright eyes. Swiftly we Sid between III
vcrdant banks of classic Potomac, no,
frowned upon by some fort whose guns c
JaJeFe gave snarIng look TO cerbort
now happily robbed Of all power 10 i,
y siroy, and now gliding peacefully pa
r beautiful pillows Of gently sloping Woo
land, whose rich green was grltcl,
enough to eyes wearied by the glare (
heat rejecting pavemcnts. The scencl
e Of this river is exquisite. Lacking Il
0 ragged grandeur Of the Hudson, it dcligh
# none the less by the modest beauty ct i
shores, and the vast pcrspeciiyes whiC
{ are continually opening before the vie\
e After quick run of little over an huu
t. the well known mansion greeted our eye
IS empowered with trees whose luxuria
!, growth has known no knife or hook the
" many years. Then came the rompil
l. debarkanon, the glee sub.iding as '
is entered the solemn avenue which leads
RI the Tomb. 1t is hard that even Il
y, sacred spot shoul" not be exempt from t
" mama for advertising which so often ma
IL the most delightful scenes. The sarC
RS phagus in which Washington lies be;
te these words, " Presented by - -
.UuJe Mason, Phira." This looks :,
plcous Probably the cost of the We
u ordinary stone coilin which is dignilied
ne Il classic name, has been many times
G. turned to the donor through the notoiC
80 thus gained, Any description of the W
known features of Mount Vernon yot
al hardly fail TO bore rather than intere
On Travellers have written and poets sung
ed manifold beauties until every child kno
- them all Visiting the Spring hou
which stands at the foot of steep desc'
}" in wilderness of trees and climb
al plants, we emerged upon the lawn in fro