The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-15
Mount Vernon.

A recent visitor to Mount Vernon, the
home and last resting place of George Wash
ington, thus notes his Impressions:
Above the trees peeps the little red cupola,
and as the boat makes the wide sweep rem
dcrcd necessary by the shallow water in the
immediate front i'll order TO reach the pier
below, VIC catch transient views of the col
umns OF the portico that runs the entire
length of the mansion. Owing to the dense
foliage these partial glimpscs arc all the
passing traveller sees Of the "sacrcd fabric"
The display Of Il little Of G. WIS talent for
hatcheting on these outrageous branches
would effect Il decided improvement in the
view from the river. From the pier at
which the boat lands well kept carriage
way leads up a ravinc directly to the tomb.
10 the right Of the road in o mucky spot
III the bed of the ravinc, stands clunp Of
weeping willows, which a guidc-board in
forms you were propOgatcd from cuttings
from the tree that shadowcd Napocon's
grave mt st. Helena. This is a favoritc
prcying grounds for the rclic-hunting pirates,
and were it not for the close watch kept
over tic trees, they would soon he cleaned
out, root and branch. BY the way, one of
the main objects of the Association is to
protect tho grounds and mansion from these
vulgar vandals, who would, if not closely
watched soon make desert of tho place
The tomb is plain, wcather-bcatcn red
structure, built into the side of the hill at
the head of tho ravinc, with front toward
the river. An iron grating extends almost
the entire length Of the front, through the
bars of which visitors can view the marble
sarcophagi containing tho remains of
George and Martha Washington. Both
rest prone OH the stone floor, that of George
OIL the right, with Marthas on the opposite
side of the entrance. George has a spread
eagle above his breast while Martha rests
beneath plain slab, whose only decoration
are the carved letters of her honorcd name.
In the dark vaults beyond rests the remains
of number of the Washington family, and
in the front and on the right of the tomb
arc monuments commemorative of the
earthly honors and heavenly virtues of these.
None but the sentimental linger long at the
unimprcssive mausole,m, and as the matter
of-fact are generally greatly in the majority,
the tomb is soon deserted for the lunch
tables, a number of which have been placed
by the sensible officers of the Association
in shady spots, for the convenience of pic
niccrs who carry commissionary depart
ment, while for the improvdent refresh
mcnt stand, where creature comforts can
be had at reasonable rates, Is provided.
Lunch over, the inspection of the mansion
begins. First in order is peep at the
roomy kitchen, withits huge fireplace and
giant crane, both Of which excite the awe
and admiration of the females of our flock
to greater extent than did the collins con-
tanning the remains of those who consumed
tho food here prepared.
Then comes a range through the library,
with Its large bookcases and seventeen
closets, including secret one above tho
mantel-piccc, in which tho silver was sccre-
ted before the days of burglar-proof. safes !;
the every day dining room, where the family
took their meals when not inflicted with
visitors Of high degree, for whom a. more
sumptuous apartment at the other end of
the building was reserved, through the
centre hall, where tho brackets for Wash
ington's field glass arc pointed out, and
the lantern-like box In which Is suspended
tho famous key Of the Bastile, presented
by La Fayette, is seen. Washington's own
hands. we are told, placed the key on the
hook about eighty years ago. and 1t has
never since been disturbed. On the other
side of the hall we pass through room
containing n large glass showcase, filed
with the relics of the great man, which
strikingly resemble, without arrangement,