Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-30
AlENA. GAZETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERTISER.
MOUNT VERNON.

diverging plans, to find some worthy purpose
which shall gain the approval Of all, some good
work in which all can unite it not in Jealous
effort for its promotion, at least in cordial
sympathy with its aims Such, we believe, is
the cause which has tor the past sixteen years
occupied the thoughts and engaged the ener-
gies Of so many worthy women of our country
in preserving to the nation the home and
burial place Of Washington, and holding it in
pcrpetuity as sacred remembrance Of his
memorable life and a continual acknowledgment
of the debt of gratitude which the nation must
ever owe Althoug gh the general drift of the
plan is doubtless familiar to most Of our read.
ers, it may not be unwelcome to review it for
moment somewhat more in detail, and partcu-
larly to dwell upon the rare energy and patriot
ism which have permeated the life and
prompted the laborious eXertions Of one fragile
but resoute woman, who first originated this
noble enterprise.
At the time of Washington's death, the es-
tate, on which his home was situated, com.
prised several thousand acres, divided into
various farms. The mansion, built OF wood
TWO stories in height, and ninety-slx feet IN
length, is beautifully situated on rising ground,
and commands fine view OF the Potomac
Near by is the old family vault, in which his
body was first laid. and also the pew vault, to
which it was removed in 1880. The mansion
was built by Washington S elder brother, who
named the estate after Admiral Vernon, under
whom he had served in the West Indies but
It was greatly improved and enlarged by
Washington himself whose home it was
from his boyhood until his death. 1t sub
seouently passed into the hands of ne
phew, and was offered for sale in the public
papers. A young lady, named Ann Pamela
Cunningham, then Frustrated by spinal disease,
read with glowing heart the advertisement,
and filled with Indignation at the thought OF
the sacred spot falling into the hands Of straug-
ers, who would, perchance, make OF 1t mere
place for curious gazing, amusement and mer-
ceuary gain she formed, alone and unalded the
grand project ofinfuenclng the women otAmerl-
ca to purchase Mount Vernon, and to secure to
the country the home and the tomb OF one
whom all true Americans must forever delight
70 honor and revere. Following out in close
practical action the workings Of her mind, she
wrote earnest appeals to private individuals, and
through the public press to her countryWomen
at large, to Induce them to raise funds Tor the
worthy object she had at heart. Many noble
RESPONSES were made, the most ethclent OF
which was that of Edward Everett, who rals-
cd bv his eloquent appeals the sum OF $50, OoO
towards this worthy object. Gradually these
efforts eliminated in success, and the whole
enterprise was placed upon a permanent basis
The mansion, the tomb and some two hundred
acres of the original estate were purchased by
the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association, and
a fund established for the purpose OF Keeping
it in order. ,a ~, %
The last meeting of the 'Grand Council OF
this Association was held at Mount Vernon IN
June and no less than twenty-one different
States were represented. The report gives as >
~. 4 = bo mo barS and at
their great confidence in Miss Cunningham, the
founder of the Association, who not only orl-
ginated the erte piise, but by her perseverDg
and energetic efforts has been the chief means
of it's permanent establishment and contln-
ned prosperity During the war the estate
was in debt, aud in compliance With the
urpent desire Of the Association, Miss Cunning,
ham left her home in South Carolina, ana
went TO Mount Vernon to superlntcnd It's
affairs where she still continues to reside,
and to oversee the repairs and improvements
necessary to preserve the treasured spot TO the
nation. So far her efforts, as we'll as those Oh
the other members of the ASsoclatlon' nave
been rendered without any compensation' anu
the accounts presented show that she must
have practiccd the most rigid economy, prtog-
ing all the expenses, including repairs, "ases'
hoSnitalitics to distinguished strangers, meet
;ngs of the Council, &c., within the very mod
crate sum Of 1888 ST a year. der .consc,eu-
lions integrity in all business matters, ner
ability tn conduct the noble enterprise she mas
espouscd, and above all her earnest spirit ana
intense devotion TO the cause should WIN 1or
her the respect and gratitude OF every true pat
riot detailed history of the Mount Vernon On
Association is soon to be published, and VIII
doubtless be looked for with interest by all those
who honor the name of Washington, and desire
70 hand down his memory to future generations
Meantime, let the example of Miss Cunning
ham he an eucouragement to the many women
of our day, who, with far stronger physical pow
er and greater outward advantages, yet thlnk
enterprise impossible for them. An earnest
spirit of love to mankind; an unse!hsh desire "
see worthy objects prosper; panensn petseasad wa
ance that does not desplse smaI elGieS' :uL'
above all high purpose IN lie, tnat sllai s.un
shallow and frivolous pursuits TO thelr ptopol
level, will overcome obstacles that niay 49, -
;nsnrmonntahIe and enable the true woman 70
accomnlish greater results than the most san
cuine homes could foretell -PhM Ledge'.
How TO KEEP CANARY BlRDs-fIace tne
CAGE 50 that no draft of air can strike the olru,
give nothing to healthy birds put Gaeaiy hana ano
rane seed. mixed with water, cuttlenSn Doue
and gravel on the floor of the cage; also, occa-
sionally, little water for bathiDg;, the roo1
should not be overheated; when moutlng lsneu-
ding feathers) avoid drafts of air, give give Plent9y
of rape seed slightly moistened; little nrt malu
boiled egg and cracker grated dne IS exceileuSs
By observing these simple directions oI,uI Pea
lnay be kept iu fine condition Tor years ,h;oh
might have been added that canary birds EI IA are
not only very fond of but benefited o Dy nav "
ug often leaf of cabbage, pieces oI lap apple Sovn
other green food which serves TO Keep uiM ,;on
the tendency to fever and prevent as
Our birds usually bathe each DAY as ie aenarant u
any one washes the face, ana w'.n Ia 1pl;J ipncl;neJ
benefit, too When birds are SICK, e aIu fpr dav.
and and ben en' ony ~i rive soaked bread from which
mos most 'o Of the t' moisture has been squeezed
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