The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-08-20
Communicated. ]
Mount Vernon.


EDIToR or THE REPUBLICAN; You are
doubtless aware that the portion Of the
Mount Vernon estate which contains the
mansion once owned and resided In by
George Washington has passed Into the
hands OF an association Of ladies with the,
end In view Of preserving the mansion and
grounds, as near as may be, In their ancient
condition, and rs spot inviting to patriotic
visitors, or all who revere the memory OF
one Of the noblest OF warriors and states
men. A recent visit TO the spot has sug-
gested some thoughts which | submit pro
bono p,,blico.
tako II to DO true that visitors who make
q pilgrimage TO Mount Vernon desire to
learn all the little items which can be known
Illustrative Of the home life Of Washington
and his family, and that they greatly desire
10 see the whole mansion, inside and out;
and think any system which falls short Of
furnishing every reasonable facility In these
respects Ia not only defective, but agra
vatlngly so. But the visitor finds several
rooms on the ground floor and second floor
shut up against him, and occupied for resi-
dencc by the regent and secretary Of the as
ISOLATION owning tho place. Nothing can
make this necessary for any great length Of
time, and the rights OF visitors are invaded
| Uy CO0tlnuhuCtt uuu WttC " NV thhs tht
regent Is 9 lady, dcvoting herself to 9 pa
triotic work, we might hint that proper
idea Of dellcacy does not lend commentator
| TO such usurpation Of the mansion.
| Again, no provision Is made for the In
| formation OF visitors upon points Of interest
to all. Since Upton Herbert, ESQ.,, a de-
| scendant Of the Lord Fairfax, who was the
patron and friend OF Washington, has boon
relieved from experimenting tho house and
grounds, thcre is no ono possessing the
requisite intelligence who welcomes and In
structs visitors during the two hours Of
their stay. Thus, instead Of receiving the
information which would familiarizo tho
visitor with the daily life OF q good man.
and give reverence additional reasons, one
Is left to walk 10 mystery, and retire with
out the knowledge which would give visit
Its highest value. With proper informa-
| tIon, either printed or orally Impaired, con-
cerning the uses of tho various rooms, &C.,
and the important portions Of the grounds,
the highest interest might be given to a
visit, and even high lessons might be quietly
taught resulting In possible benefit The
| simple Information that the two little clos
cts of the room In which Washington died
were the drcsslng-rooms Of himself and lady,
would, with visit to the rooms, be q silent
rebuke to tho pride which sets up fictitious
standards of greatness. Even the informa-
tlon as to which rooms Washington and his
wife died In would be acceptable; and also
which was occupied by General Lafayette
dnring his visit there. 1t might bcautify
the memory Of the worthy wife Of so great
man 10 know that from the time OF Wash
ington's burial, Martha Washington occu-
pied the room Immediately above the one In
which he died, and never loft II until car
ried out, eighteen months afterwards, to lie
beside him In the peaceful rest OF an honored
grave.
But The welcome TO the grounds and man.
sion, the Instruction. oral and written, and
access to a portion OF the mansion arc denied
the visitor; and In the meantime visit, Of
course, except to the well-read few is devoid
Of much OF the interest that should attach to
It. Travellers, especially foreigners, lacking
the "reminiscences which 20 to Illustrate"
the spot, without fault Of theirs, reserve the
full appreciation which might be and should
be the result Of pilgrimage to the spot.
And, besides, walk Of plank or gravel,
which would protect the feet from dirt or
mud, would enable the visitor TO approach
landing, the tomb, without feelings posi-.
lively irrevercnt. We are assured by good
authority that II Is not q lack OF funds which
prevents the attention to the comfort and In.
struction OF visitors which we have noted.
Tho little steamer Arrow neat and well com.
manded, by paying twenty-five cents out OF
the fare OF each passenger, with thirty cents
for wharfage for each one--ility-flve cents IN
all upon each passcngcr-to the association,
secures TO II revenue of about 5000 a
year, wo are assured by one Of the vice re-
gents; aud this fund should, with tho appro-
| priation Of $1,000 made for repairs by the
last Congress, keep the place In repair and
make 1t enticing and Instructive to visitors.
And now that tho country Is whole again,
We will hint that the vacancies OF vice re.
gents for nine OF the States should DO flled,
as they may be by nomination of the regent
and confirmation OF the board OF vice regents.
As at present administered upon, Mount
Vernon does not reflect the credit II might
rrNr 'hs .~,ie,., ,sud as lie amtirs arc IN the
hands OF an association OF ladies, VIC suggest
mildly but decidedly few things, hoping
A. b. ARSRs.
| wAsuISaros, August Il, lsp.