The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-09-13
MOUNT VERNON.

A few days since I again visited Mount
Vernon, the shrine of America, and the
home of the first President and the Com
mander- in chief of the armies which won
our country's independence, and it would
seem that it could never be more attractive
than at present. The pathway to the tomb
is less rugged and precipitous than form
erly, and the entire mansion is now acces-
sible to visitors. Rooms always previously
closed are now visible with all their his
toric appliances, and quiet and tidiness,
most suitable, (for it is said the latter
always reigned supreme in the house when
occupied by the wife ofthe illustrous chief
-"Stick pin there" young ladiesy are
predominant everywhere. Tho old par
lors. with the old portraits of Washington
and his friends, contemporaneous portraits
and pictures and old furniture, the suit of
inner rooms, the library, and the grand
dining hall, and even the old brick foored
kitchen, can be inspected by all. Within
each some added relic of the noble owners
occupancy, if not associated with the act
ual usages of the home, is visible. In the
room where Washington died is bed
stead, which was at the time of his death
i'll the mansion, although not the identical
one upon which he breathed his last, that
having fallen into vandal hands, has been
delivered to Mrs. Lee in a semi-destroyed
state. The one exhibited is an exact SIM
lie of the same, however. Articles of var
ieus use and garments are seen in the
smaller apartments, but in the large din
inghall are the richest and most sugges-
tive objects of attraction to those who
might wish to revivify the characteristics
of the most classic spot in our Republican
history. The sideboard, the harpsichord,
the chairs the old frescoes on the wall the
splendid painting of Washington before
Yorkton, the engravings of the assembled
generals and Of Mrs. Washington's levee in
Philadelphia, which is the finest represent
alton of the elegance and dignity of per-
sonnet and manner of the republican yet
offered. The two magnificent portraits of
Washington, by Trumbull and Sturart,
and the fine old carved mantel-piece, before
which stands model of the bastile, cut
from the block of the original, all ensem-
BILE, form collection worthy of reverent
regard. After looking at these things,
and then at the other collections of the
relics of Washington preserved in the Pat
ent Office, which include his sword, gun,
camp fixtures, tent, writing desk, medicine
chest, wash-stand, andirons, bureau, &C.,
and his coat, pants and vest, one can read
lily picture in his Imagination the proto-
type of the reat Chieftain.
The smooth lawns with their grand trees,
many of which have notable associations;
the magnolia, planted in 1873 by Washing
ton, the old Spanish chestnut, the English
holly, the beautiful mimasas and lindens,
mostly imported, command separate atten-
ton. The gardens and lighthouses are in
their green and fowery prime, surrounded
by the venerable, yet unfading box, plonted
in Washington's time, and the beautiful
tiower-beds bear all the sweetest names of
Flora's limitless lists. The hot-house holds
some rare specimens of vine and plant, all
showing proof of skillful hands and con-
slant care; and out of all the arborial and
floral wealth discriminate hands sometimes
bestow memorials. The old Nestor of the
plants, the sage palm, owned by Washing
ton, with its living otfshoots; the Hy-
dranger, brought from St. Helena, are all
introduced to notice with well told hstor-
les by Col. Hollingsworth, the gentlemanly
superintendent
There are many other things worthy of
mention, but space will not permit a de-
tailed account of them; and even if it did,
my pen is inadequate to do justice to such
sacred place.
SOLDIERS HOME.
The Soldiers Home forms one of the
most beautiful of the many admired sur
roundings of Washington. 1t is an in
stitution chartered by Congress and placed
in charge of officers of the army acting as
trustees, who very naturally find it an
object calling forth their warmest Sympa-
thies. The purpose of its institution was
to furnish a homestead and resting place
for disabled and infirm soldiers. Six days
out of seven the lovely grounds, charming
rides and 6riyns tho Slodv and we'll kent