The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-24


his friends, is preserved, with the furni-
ture, in very nearly the same condition in
which he left il. Upon the walls are pic
lures Of hunting and battle scenes. Tho
room in which Washington died is open
TO the public gaze. The architecture in
this room remains unchanged. The large
drawing room in the north wing is decora-
ted with handsome mantel, the pillars Of
which are of a rich yariegated marble,
partly set into the wall. Upon the frieze
of the remaining portion, which is com
posed Of fine white Italian marble, are
prominent objects, representative Of agri-
culture and husbandry, sculptured in bas-
relief by mastery hand, and presenting
a beautiful and graceful appearance. 1t
was presented to General Washington in
1875 by Samuel Naughen, Of London.
Among the many highly esteemed relics
and noteworthy objects in the house is the
key Of the Bastile, inelosed in glass case
placed on the wall in the hall. Lafayette
sent this key to Washington soon after
the destruction Of that famous French
prison. Upon bracket over the library
door is Houdon's model bust in plaster,
taken Of Washington in October, 1885.
The statue of Washington in the State
Capitol at Richmond, Virginia, was exc
cuted from this model. The harpsicord,
preserved as a relic in the drawing room,
was wedding present from Gen. Wash
ington to Miss Elenor Parke Gusts, his
adopted daughter, on the occasion of her
marriage to Mr.. Lawrence Lewis, General
Washington's nephew. Miss Nellie Gusts
was the d-daughter Of Mrs. Martha
Washington, and the only sister Of G.. w.
Parke Gusts, late proprietor of the Airing
ton estate.
From the noble piazza which adorns the
river front extends beautiful lawn to the
brow of the hill, embracing several acres
planted with shrubbery and ornamental
trees, and afFording the spectator charm
ing view Of the Potomac river and the
Maryland shore. On the west front of
the mansion is another extensive lawn,
which is surrounded by serpentine walks,
their borders beautifully and symmetrically
skirted with the choicest forest trees,
transplanted from the woods on the estate,
with evergreens and towering shrubs, se-
lected, planted, and attended in his day by
Washington himself. South of this lawn
is the vegetable garden, and north Of it
are gardens and conservatory for orna-
mental shrubs, plants, and flowers. Here
we may notice many valuable plants which
were presented to and preserved by Wash
ington during his life, horticulture being
one of his favorite pursuits. The orchard
lies west Of the gardens and the lawn. The
negro quarters, seed-house, tool-houses,
and other necessary appendages to plan
tation, were also located on the west front
Of the mansion, with the exception Of the
barn, which stands south, in the direction
Of the tomb, and the ice-house and summer
house near the waters edge and the brow
of the hill.
Situated on the edge of deep hill, en-
bosomed among trees, about two hundred
and fifty yards south of the mansion, may
be seen the old family vault in dilapida-
ted condition. In this vault the mortal
remains Of the illustrious Washington re-
mained from 1893 until 1881, when his
desire, in reference to the removal of the
family remains to the spot designated by
him previous to his death and mentioned
in his will, was at length complied with.
The new tomb of Washington is spacious
brick vault with an arched roof. Its iron
doors open into vestibule, in which, Wis.,
ible through the picketed iron gates or
doors, stand two marble sarcophagi con-
tanning the remains Of Washington and
those Of his wife. The vestibule or ante
chamber is covered with metallic roof.
and its walls, which are built Of brick and
carried to the height Of twelve feet are SO
extended in the rear as to surround the
new vault on oil sides, to which it forms
the entrance, and which is visible from
the outer gateway. As one ascends the
long, sloping hill from the landing, he is
suddenly brought into full view Of the
hallowed spot where now repose the ashes
Of the illustrious dead. This sepulcher on
the hill side is a lovely retreat, surrounded
as il is by deep wooded doll, where 50
many stately and venerable oaks spread
their green foliage over the wild flowers
and the dense shrubbery which adorn the
banks Of the classic Potomac. This new
tomb Of the Washingtons is situated about
one hundred yards west of the old vault
and about three hundred yards southwest
of the mansion. It's front presents gate
way with pointed gothic arch, and gate
made Of bars of iron, through which are
seen the two sarcophagi in the ante-cham-
Der, and the front Of the vault, with It's
iron door, over which is the following in
scription ~ am the resurrection and
the life; he that believes in Me, though
he were dead, yet shall he i've" The
vault was built in 1881 and the ante-cham-
Der in 1887. The following is a descrip-
sion Of General Washingtons saroophagus:
"The construction of the sarcophagus Is Of
the modern form, aud consists Of an exca-
yation from a solid block Of marble eight
feet in length and three feet in height,
rseting on o plinth, which proiects four