The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-06-10
So PER ANNUM.

III "iuthi III helnnt II reaches 10 the caves,
its pilasters are square; il has light and
graceful balustrade on Its top, and its
ground floor is paved with fat stone.
"Here, says recent writer, 'the hero
used to walk, and here doubtless as his
eye glanced over the beautiful river,
spreading out like bay at the foot Of the
hill, his mind was often filed with refec-
tions upon the alternate gloom and gran
deur of his country's early history, and
with glowing conceptions of the glorious
| future which awaited her" Built of the
best materials and with the most durable
framework, this edifcc has withstood the
ravages of time remarkably well. All its
fronts are cut in imitation of freestone
The roof slopes east and west, and has
three dormer windows looking eastward
and two westward. On the first and sec
ond stories, in the east facade, or river
front, are fourteen windows. An octago-
nal cupola surmounts the centre of the
roof answering the purpose of an observa-
tory. On the ground floor are six rooms,
most Of which are wainscoted, and have
large worked cornices and shafts, in keep
ing with the taste of former days. The
central building has very spacious hall,
communicating with three parlors and the
main stairway, which leads to the cham
bers in the second story, and above these
to the observatory. Lawrence Washing
ton doubtless provided this commodious
hall that there might be ample room to
receive guests in that generous manner
which prevailed among our Virginia an
ccstors. The south wing of the building
contains the library and breakfast-room,
and n stairway that leads to Washington's
private chamber on the second floor. The
room known as the library remains, as
nearly as possible, in the condition in
which it was when occupied by the i'm
mortal patriot. The large north room, in
which he entertained his friends, is pre-
served, with furniture, in very nearly the
same condition in which he left it. The
architecture in this room remains un-
changed. The large drawing-room in the
north wing is decorated with handsome
mantel, the pillars of which are Of rich,
variegated marble, partly set into the wall
Upon the frieze of the remaining portion,
which is composed of a fine white Italian
marble, are prominent objects, represen-
tativc of agriculture and husbandry sculp-
turcd in bas-relief by mastery hand, /,
and presenting beautiful and graceful
appearance. Il was presented to General
Washington in 1885 by Samuel Vaughen,
Of London.
Among the many highly esteemed rel
les and noteworthy objects in the house
is the key Of the Bastile, inclosed in a
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,
1775. The statue Of Washington in the
State Capitol at Richmond, Virginia, was
executed from this model The harpsi-
chord, preserved as a relic in the drawing
room, was wedding present from Gen.,
Washington to Miss Eleanor Parke Custis
his adopted daughter, on the occasion of
her marriage to Mr.. Lawrence Lewis,
Gen. Washington's nephew. Miss Nellie
Gusts was the grand daughter Of Mrs.
Martha Washington, and the only sister
of G. W. Parke Gusts, late proprietor of
the Arlington estate.
In the wine cellar are the original logs
on which Washington's wine casks were
placed. In the cast room is fine large
portrait of Washington and his staff,
painted by Rembrandt Peale, which is
valued at $4,000. Also chair which
was brought over the "pathless sea" in
the Mayfower. The west parlor contains
Washington's camp equipage. Ascend
ing the main stairway stands the old
clock, busy in mcasu ring out the time for
the present as it has done in the past.
Thirteen rooms in the mansion have each
been named after the thirteen original
States. The room in which Washington
breathed his last iu 1899 is Of especial
interest.
From the noble piazza which adorns
the river front extends beautiful lawn
to the brow Of the hill, embracing several
acres planted with shrubbery aud orna-
mental trees, and aifording the spectator
a charming view of the Potomac river and
the Maryland shore. On the west front
Va tuc hlhHniou 10 unOtucf tAtcuslNt idWH,
which is surrounded by serpentine walks,
their borders beautifully and symmetri-
cally skirted with the choicest forest trees,
transplated from the woods on the estate,
with evergreens and Towering shrubs, Sc
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
ornamental shrubs, plants and flowers.
Here we may notice many valuable plants
which were presented to and preserved by
Washington during his life, horticulture
being one of his favorite pursuits. The
garden and green house contain many
choice plants and flowers; also orange,
lemon aud fig trees. -Four large trees,
two Of ash aud two Of poplar, now almost