The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-04-03
WAsn1NeroN, d. c., March %.

cial point of view, there is a greater
variety Of interesting objects here than
in any other place on the Western
Continent. At every turn the OBJ
server confronts something that ar
rests his attention. and often excites
mis- admiration The city and envi-
rons are a gigantic National Museum.
Weeks might be spent in thoroughly
examining the curiosities in nature
and art that are here displayed, while
mere cursory view will require days
for its accomplishment.
Oar great national shrine, to which
every person who visits this city
should make a pilgrimage. Is Mount
Vernon, the home of Washington.
It is located fifteen miles below the
city on the right bank Of the PUto-
rae, on an elevation high above the
water level. The view from the man
sion is very extensive and impressive,
while the estate itself can be seen for
many miles above and below, aud
from tile hills Of Maryland, opposite.
Washington showed excellent taste
ia his selection Of home, as we'll as
in the arrangement Of its plan and
embellishments. The writer, and
several other Indianians, besides a
lumber of other people, made a pill
rimage there, last Saturday. a more
beautiful day we could not have had.
\ small steamer" The Arrow -
Guns daily, Except Sunday, starting
1t 10 A. NJ. and returning at 4
2. n, giving two hours at Mount
Vernon. Fare one dollar and
half, including ticket of admis-
sion to Mount Vernon. The steamer
lands at pier built at that point, and
a roadway of easy ascent leads first to
he tomb and thence to the mansion
md grounds. With the appearance
thereof every American is, or ought
be, familiar, from the pictures that
lbound A Jew running comments
On the condition of the estate is all
that my space will permit.
The Ladies Mount Vernon Asso-
citation, which some years ago pur-
chased the estate from Washington s
degenerate descendants, who were
shamelully making merchandise of the
relics taken thereirOm. came into actu-
Al possession rs late as last Autumn,
although the title has been in the
association for some years. Under
the Washington heirs the premises
were rapidly becoming dilapidated.
When the association came into actu-
Al possession, repairs and improve
meats were commenced. But little
has yet been done, and | am in-
flrmcd that means with which to pros
ecute the work are scarce. Although
the mansion is not neglected to any
great extent, the grounds, trees,
feuoes, aud shrubbery need attention
badly. There is great variety of
native American trees and shrubs,
but they seem to be growing wild
An intelligent gardener is, however,
employed on the grounds, and will
probably 90 to work vigorously when
Spring fairly opens, and put the
estate in order as rapidly as the
means &C command will permit.
The mansion Is stripped of its fur
njture ios the rooms thrown open to
the public. Only small portion Of
the house proper is occupied as pri-
waite property, but the out buildings
are none Of them thrown open for in
spection. Very few relies, so inesti
mable to every American, remain
The key Of the French Bastile, a ter
restrial globe and its stand, tripod
belonging to a surveying instrument,
a pair Of holsters and other horse
accoutrements, painting nearly faded
out, few pieces ofqueensware broken
and patched, a harpsichord, fire
screens, etc.-this is nearly all that is
left besides the real estate.
The ground that was formerly Gull
tivated seems worn out and barren.
Fields lie fallow aud neglected. The
outward appearance of the estate from
the west or land front is desolate.
The east front looks better, as it faces
the river. Ii is a subject of regret
that the Association had not sooner
come into possession; and now that it
has, the public who generously fur
nished the means for purchasing, will
expect this national heritage to be
put 10 complete order, SO that it can
be visited without shame and re-
proaches.
The old tomb is a small sandstone
structure, which is unoccupied and in
bad condition. The new one, built of
brick, every American is familiar
with through the medium of pictures.
It faces southwardly, and Is in a re-
tired position. The sarcophagin con-
tanning the remains of George and
Martha Washington are of plain
" cut white marble, and can
be seen through double grating of
iron. The inscriptions are simple
and touching. On the former are the
coat of arms of the Union, and the
name, Washing on" On the lat
ter appears" Martha, Consort of
Washington" In front of the tomb,
and on the side next the river. are
monuments of various members of
Washingto family circle and of his
descendants. Their epitaphs are in
the old Virginia style of fulsome euio-
gy. How agreeable the contrast
when one reads the simple inscrip-
ton over the mortal remains of the
Father Of His Country and his be-
loved consOrt, whose remains need no
formal eulogies.
The new tomb, built in 1887. has a
metal roof, which is leaking and needs
repair. There is an inner chamber to
Il, in which lie the remains of several |
Of the family.
1 noticed that every person who APP
preached the tomb did so with rever-
snee. the men taking off their hats
With a Spontaneous impulse.
In this connection [ mention that
the celebrated Washington Monu-
nent, near the Presidents house and
about mile West of the Capitol.
still stands in an unfinished condi.
.ion, an evidence not so much of the