Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-08-23

the ladies walk about the grounds. In
front of the mansion, which is long and
rather low building, the lawn is laid out in
the form of the Washington coat of arms
and is entirely surrounded by drive-ways,
which are in fine order beautiful trees
border it, and are scattered about. Among
these is stately magnolia-grandiflora said
TO have been planted by Washington; its
polished dark green leaves glistening in
the sun, and dotted here and there with the
large, fragrant, white buds and blossoms.
Standing at the front hall.door, on the
right are the flower garden and green
house the flower beds of the former are
bordered with box, as in the Generals
time one border of beautiful white French
lilies extends the length of the garden. The
drive way that leads into the Alexandria
road is also on the right. All arrivals and
departures of Washingtons family, friends
and guests, were from this entrance. On
each side of the mansion are two one and
one-half story frame buildings, that have
been newly shingled and naipted. The
first house on the left is the kitchen, having
chambers over it, looking comfortable and
airy, and formerly connected with the
mansion by a covered archway, both use
ful and ornamental, that is wholly decayed
and gone. The second house on that side
is occupied by the house servants and a
poultry yard is connected with 1t, of which
the cook now has the care. Tradition diff
fers as TO the original purpose of the house
on the right: in truth, it was occupied by
the Generals head servant; and Judge
Washington used IL as a law office. The
archway that connects this building with
the mansion is standing, but much decay
ed. Miss Cunningham says she has been
twice to Washington to ascertain the ex-
pense of having the other rebuilt but she
found that workmen were so much in de-
mand for the public buildings, that it
would cost an enormous sum; but she yet
hopes to have it done. The gardeners house
is the End on the right, and near the garden.
The stable, barn and outhouses are beyond
the kitchen, but hidden by trees. Let us
turn and walk through the large hall :-on
the right of the front door is the Generals
breakfast room, which opens into the libra
ry. The ceiling is han dsomely decorated
in stucco; when they had no guests, 1t was
used as a dining room. 1t is now Miss C.'s
parlor, and opens into her sleeping room,
which is small, and directly back of it.
These two apartments are the only ones she
occupies, and the only ones that are not
thrown open 10 visitors. IfMiss Cunning
hams enthusiasm makes her willing to
live in this simple way, and reside alone,
in this isolated spot. deprived of society
and he companionship OF friends, that she
may have supervision OF the place, who
can envy her the position?
On the len side of the front door is the
"West parlor," as II is now designated !;
but it was really the drawing-room of
NJ adam Washington. 1t is elegantly fin
isbed for the period, the ceiling claborately
orna mented in stucco, with panels in the
wainscoting that extend to the cornice
which is a handsome one. over each door
is "A cornice one OF these doors open into
tho great dining hall. At the teft ON the
east end of the hall is the East parlor,"
plainly finished room, in which it is said,
Was hington received the guests that came
on business. This also opened into the
great dining hall and TO this parlor Mad
am Washington retired after dinner par
ties, leaving the gentlemen at the table.
The east door of the hall opens on the lofty
piazza, that extends 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. 1t commands lovely view of the
river, and the beautiful lawn that slopes
down to it, which is ornamented with
shrubs and fine trees, and gravel walks
really the most charming spot on the
place; and we can imagine Washington
and his friends enjoying the view, and the
cool breeze from the river on summer
afternoons.
When the estate was first purchased oi
John Washington, this piazza was so much
decayed that it was propped up with tim
bers, and very dangerous; but it has been
wholly rebuilt by the association at con-
siderable expense. The Regent gave the
ladies pleasant surprise, one intensely
hot evening, by having tea passed round
here. which they enjoyed extremely; es
pecially so, as they were treated to de
licious Strawberries, and ice cream, made
on the place. The great dining hall opens
out on this piazza. 1t is the most spacious
and handsome apartment in the house
The ceiling is arched, and richly decorated
in stucco.
There is an elegantly carved marble
mantle e-piece that was made in Italy, b,
Samuel Vaughn of Philadelphia, and pre-
scented to Washington by him. Sheep an'
other animals are delicately cut in bas
relief. The hearth is inlaid with coloret
marbles. This room was originally paper
ed but this paper was removed by Judg
Washington and after its purchase, tn
plastering was repaired, and 1t was painted
| in oil paint, a delicate tint. On the mort
side is a large arched window with smalle
ones on each side; this and all the window
in the house have very small glass, yer,
heavy sashes, and heavy clumsy blinds
showing wonderful improvement i
windows during the last century. A harp
sichord in one corner was present fror
General Washington to Miss Custis. Sew
eral curious old chairs are collected in thi
room. One that came out in the ma
Flower" presented by James ii. Ticheno
of New York. A fac simile of the chaii
useu III Mauath W. ui""i"5 A""hi Si"
colored and heavily gilt, with blu
striped rep covering on the seat ; presente
by Il. Il. Halliday of Newark, n. j. Tw
high backed dark mahogany chairs, wit
hair cloth Seats that belonged to Washing
ton, &c. &c. The river and lawn are see
through the piazza door. Miss Cunning
. ham had provided a long table in th
apartment, covered with paper, pens, an
inkstands, for the use of the Council, an
here the ladies were summoned to meet
10 O'Clock the Regent presiding. MI
. Mason, the newly appointed V. II. fro
| Virginia, who had just arrived from Ale
h andria, was introduced, and took the sei
}, making nine ". RS present. Mrs. Swe
: was appointed secretary fer the Counc
....i H.. - IL. 10