Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-01-21
A Visit to Mount Vernon.

NJ, giving visitors plenty OF time to view the
home and burial place Of General Washington
The trip down the Potomac was most delightful,
passing many points OF interest Among the first
Is the United States government arsenal with its
beautiful grounds and piles OF ordnance The
steamer stopped few moments ut Alexandra,
which looks as though 1t had been finished ages
ago Its decaying wharfs give II n dreary look.
Could plainly see the spire Of the old church built
In 1913, Of which Washington was one OF the first
vestrymen. Leaving Alexandria we passed Jones
Point, Fort Foot, and Fort Washington. From
this point, by looking back, can be seen the grand
old capitol building rising in Its magnificence and
beauty like the giant among pigmies. Like Acrop-
oils, 1t seems the very clouds to kiss. We
made sharp turn at this point, and bcheld Mount
Vernon overlooking the river from a splendid
grove Of trees on a commanding eminence. As
we approached the wharf the stiffness was I'M
broken save by the band on deck which played APP
proprate airs. The trees Of the park extend to
the waters edge, not soul was to be seen, and
one almost expected to see the general emerge
from them and seat himself in the skiff moored
near, as history tells he was wont to do, being
fond OF duck shooting. Once landed we were
met by Colonel Holliugsworth, the superintend-
ent, who led us mp pleasant path first 10 the
tomb OF Washington (en-route to which you pass
the willows grown from sprigs over the grave Of
Napoleon at st. IIelena) which was built in accord
ance with directions left In his will His body
was placed there, but 1t was found that wooden
collins decayed 80 rapidly 1t was decided In 1887
to have marble sarcophagus built for the body.
Mr.. John struthers Of Philadelphia asked and re-
ceved permission to present a sarcophagus, also
one for Martha Washington. These sarcophagus
were hewn from solid blocks of Pennsylvania
marble. They stand side by side Washington 4
being surmounted by handsome shield Of the
ensign Of the United States Through the grating
may be read on n marble slab over the door OF
the vault 81 am the resurrection and the life,
and whosoever beleveth in me shall not die" St
John xi: 1926 little sparrow has built her nest
in the niche that contains the slab, and seems to
enjoy the security of her position as she calmly
watches the crowd peerlng 10 eagerly through
the iron gate. The key Of the vault has long
since been thrown into the Potomac, so II cannot
he entered, Near the tomb are four monuments
with the names OF washingtons relatives upon
them. Following the walls we passed under the
famous old blackjack tree, which is OF gigantic
proportions, its branches touching the ground
and said to be two hundred and twelve years old
| and was the favorite haunt OF Washington. Then
| to the porch, which is nnety-three feet eight
inches by twelve feet and eight inches. The flags,
which are now well worn, were brought from the
Isle of Wight, by the general. In front one has a
delightful view Of the Potomac. The deer park
| lies to the left Of the mansion. From the porch
| you enter the large hall which runs through the
building Upon the landing of the stairs is the
old clock The most prominent thing in the hal
is the key of the French Bastile, which hang.
within glass case on the wall, where it was hung
| by Washington himself when he received II from
| Lafayette and has remained untouched ever since
In the east parlor is glass case containing relic,
| Of Washington. Among them, letters by him t.
| several members OF his family, the compass used
| in his surveys, clothing worn by him, his sp,
glass and old locket containing a lock of his hair
several pieces OF needle-work by Martha Wash
| ington. The next is the state dining-room, the
largest in the house. The principal piece Of fur
niture in 1t is the harpschord purchased as brida
| gift for Nelly Custis by Washington. The IA
nous marble mantel, with Its magnificent sculp
ture, that was made in Italy and had such al
eventfu trip, is the most interesting thing in the
| ROOM On 1t stands pair OF antique vases and 2
| piece OF sea weed, the property Of Washington
| In the center OF the room Is the model Of thu
| French Bastile, made from one of the stones o
that famous prison Here also is an arm-chai
| Of Washington that came over in the Mayfower
The west parlor is full OF interest, as is the coun
Gil room, and family dining-room, with its quain
cases. On the second floor is the Lafayette room
| f,,r,
rooms contain their original furniture and all are il
an excellent state of preservation The room II
which Washington died is the most pleasant one
| The furniture is the same he used-the small
cande-stand near the antique bedstead upo,
which he died. his medicine table, fire screer
and irons One cannot help feeling OF awe a,
he enters this room. The room, in accordance
with the old Virginia custom was closed for two
years after his death. The room in which Marths
Washington died is small one In the third story
with but one window and no fire place, yet 1t wa,
the only room In the house from which could b,
seen the tomb of Washington and was selected
by her on that account She never left it after his
burial Here for nearly two years, in the heat Of
summer and cold of winter, she kept her vigil
seeing no one but the servant who attended her
and her favorte cat The original furniture is no
all there, but il said to be exactly initiated. Tina
is, II rag carpet at fifty cents yard be imi
lated by Turkey at 50, and If calico curtains fo
| the bed, lined with cambria, can be initiated by
the finest cames hair lined with silk. The heir,
asked such exhorbitant prices for the furnishing,
that 1t was decided to initiate them; for instance
wanting $4,000 for a small Bible The othe
rooms, with outbuildings are all very interesting
| The kitphan uhnut thrpa rods fran the ms al N
is now used for lunch room. Here we wer
served by the descendants OF Washngtons ole
servants with delicious fruits and cream sand
witches and coffee. The lawn occupies twent,
acres toward the greenhouse and flower gardens
Entering the flower gardens are found the bed
bordered with box over one hundred years old
planted under the direction OF the general ant
his wife In the greenhouse the only thing tina
belonged to Washington is the stalk In glas,
case of the sage palm, one hundred and thirty
years old As was leaving the grounds veneer
able negro approached with a bouquet OF flowers
among them fine magnolia from the only tre'
that Washington was known to have planted
and tiny basket carved from peach stone. The
polite superintendent turning to me said, III yol
can believe that General Washington ate tn,
peach from which this was made will present /
to you with pleasure" assured him that jus
then overlooked with faith And now ] keel
the little basketas a charm. Being especially in
troduced to Colonel Holngsworth, he showed m,
much attention. He was an officer in the Mexi
can war. was also in the late civil war; and is thinl
everything that could be desired for his position
Let me advise all who visit Washington not Il
fail TO see Mount Vernon. ELIZABETH