Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-09-11

cred archway, both useful and ornamental,
that is wholly decayod and gone. The sec.
ond house on that side is occupied by the
house servants; and poultry yard is con-
nected with it, Of which the cook now has
the care. Tradition differs as 10 the original
purpose Of the house on the right; in truth,
it was occupied by the Generals head SER
want and Judge Washington used IL as a
law Office. The arch.way that connects this
building with the mansion is standing, but
much decayed. Miss Cunningham says she
has been twice to Washington to ascertain
the expense of having the other rebuilt; but
she found that workmen were so much in de.
mand, for the public buildings, that il would
cost an enormous sum but she yet hopes to
have il done. The gardeners house is the
second on the right, and near the garden. The
stable, barn and outhouses are beyond the
Kitchen, but hidden by trees Let us turn
aud walk through the large hall ON the
right Of the front door is the Generals break.
fast room, which opens into the library. The
ceiling is handsomely decorated in stucco
when they had no guests, it was used as a
dining room. 1t is now Miss C.'s paror, and
opens into her sleeping room, which is small
and directly back Of it. These two apart
ments are the only ooes she occupies, and The
only ones that are not thrown open to visitors
If Miss Cunningham's enthusiasm makes hei
willing to live in this simple way, and reside
alone in this isolated spot, deprived Of soci
ETY. and the companionship Of friends, that
she may have the supervision of the place.
who can envy her the position7
On the left side of the front door is the
" West parlor," as it is now designated but
it was really the drawing.room Of Madam
Washington. 1t is elegantly finished for the
period, the ceiling elaborately ornamented ia
] stucco. with panels in the wainscoting that
extend to the cornice which is a handsom,
one. Over each door is a cornice one oi
these doors open into the great dining hall
At the left on the east end of the hall is the
East parlor =" a plainly finished room, in which
: it is said, Washington received the guests that
came on business. This also opened into the
great dining hall and TO this parlor Maiam
Washington retired after dinner parties, eay.
ing the gentlemen at the table. The east door
of the hall opens on the lofty piazza that OK.
tends to the roof the whole length of the
eastern side Of the house. 1t is wide and the
floor is tagged with the original slate stones
: which are cracked and worn. II command,
a lovely view of the river, and the beautiful
lawn that slopes down TO II. which is orna.
mented with sbrnbs and fine trees. and grave
walk. re,Ilv Inc mos, charming snot On ths
place and we can Imagine Washington and
! he er;ends eniovinc ,he view and the cool
breeye from he liver on spmmer afternoons
When the estate was first purchased ol
Jobn Wssbing,on. this niazza was 40 much
ldecaved that f was nronped mn with timbers
r and verv dangerous bnt il has been wholly
rebuil, bv tbe association at considerable er
renso Tho Re,an, ,,ve tho ladies n nle,s
an, surnrise one intensely hot evening h,
having tea nassed round here. which thew en-
. ;ovod sxtremelv esnac;allv 80 ,s tbev wer,
! treated N deiicious strawberries and ice
cream. made on the place. The great dinin,
hall onens nm, nm hi. ni.zza IL il the mos
spacious and handsome ana r,mept in the house
The ceiling is archcd. and richly decoratet
in stucco
There il An elegantly carved marble mantle
niece that was made in Italv nv Samue
Vauohn of pbiladelnhia. and presented I,
Wa15;o,,on nv him sheen and other ami,
mails are dolicatclv cnt in bas.reIcr Tn,
hearth is iplaid with colored marbles. Tbi
room was originally panered. but this paper
was removed 6v Judge w asbinOton and afte
its purchase. the mastering was renajred. AN,
, il was painted in oil paint. deiicas tint
, On the north side is a large arched yipdov
with Smaller ones on each side this and ali
! the windows in the house have very smal
piass, very heavy sashes, and heavy CLUMSY
blinds showing wonderful improvement il
, windows during the last century A harp
! sichord in one corner was present from Gen
/ eral Washington to Miss Gusts. Severa
d curious old chairs are collected in this room
D One that came out in the " May Flower,
' presented by james Ii. Tichenor OF New FORK
A fac simile of the chairs used in MADAM
e W.s drawing room straw coored and heavi
ly gilt, with blue striped rep covering OIL
the seat presented by L. f. Halliday o
+. Newark, n. j. Two high backed dark ma
y hogany chairs, with hair cloth seats, that be
+ longed to Washington, &c. &c. The rive
@ and lawn are seen through the piazza door
. Miss Cunningham had provided long tabl
4 in this apartment, covered with paper, pens
and inkstands, for the use of the Council an
I: here the ladies were summoned to meet a
10 O'Clock the Regent presiding Mr.,
I Mason, the newly appointed V. r. from Vii
gnia, who had Just arrived from Alexandria
. was introduced and took the seat, maxim
nine Y. Rs present. Mrs Sweat was az
= pointed secretary for the Council. Miss NJ,
= Maxim read the minutes of the last Counci
: June 1870. which were approved. But it
not my purpose to give the proceedings
!, the Council a lady was appointed to max
: A report.
n Tbe Re,ent nresented the ron,rts of III
's vor;ous cnmm;,tees appointed bv the la,
: Council The Government workmeu, uude
q Co. M;oheIin having renorted that m
n Saunda,;ons of ,he house were beinc destrove
!, s hn Samnnsss II was then decided thai
|, So" pas nocossarv and a sni,ahIe one h,
!, 49, ;n,rodrcod Il was then also aeeme
- ooossa.n Doo" 10 construc, three tanks Ear wato
), ' aoJ 20 set nm n hvarauIic ram 10 afFor
- maans % for rratecting the bou.e from g.,