Daily Republican., 1880-08-04
SUMMER TOUR.
A wiImtng ton;ans Two Weeks
Trip fra tine south and What He
Saw.

A Wilmington gentleman writes to
the REPUBLICAN, es follows about Lis
Summers trip after he had reached
Washington.
In the afternoon after o pleasant
ride in the aristocratic part Of the city,
we reached Georgetown where we visit
cd the KILL Cemetery. 1t isa large
and beautiful piece of ground, well sit
uated, being bounded on the Eastern
side by Rock Creek which flows into
the Potomac river. In this cemetery
are buried many noted men of the Uni
ted States. Near the entrance to the
lgrounds is a fine chapel, used, as | IN
derstapd, for the purpose Of receiving
the bodies, and after the ceremonies are
over, and the friends have departed,
they are then remoy ed to the graves.
| We spent Monday at Mt. Vernon On
the Western banks of the Potomac
lriver, some sixteen miles below Wash
|ington. To be sure, 1t would not do
for us to overlook this place, which is
SO well known throughout the world,
as we were quite near it, and were
smply repaid for our visit. As we
neared the place, we could see the
mansion standing some two hundred
feet above the river, being surrounded
by fine grounds, well kept in order.
After landing and being on our way
to the buildings, the first thing to at
tract our attention were five weeping
willow trees, which were brought from
the grave of Napoleon on the Island oil
St. Helena.
| The next object of importance is the
tomb in which the remains OF Gen.
George Washington and wifeand Mis-
Nellie Custis are placed. The building
is built of brick, the door is burglar
proof, having electric wires running to
1.-The mansion, so that If any one at
tempted to disturb the tomb, the in
mates of the house would receive the
alarm.
4 In the front Of the tomb are two
strong iron gates and securely locked,
the key having been thrown into the
Potomac River to prevent any more
bodies being placed within the tomb.
The tomb would have been built OF
} marble or some other handsome stone
Ihad it not been that Gen. Washington
'|had it distinctly written in his will
that it should be built Of brick; so one
need not wonder at it's appearance.
Passing the stable we came to some
small houses used for laundry
purposes, &c. Then comes the kitchen
which Gen. Washington and family
used. Adjoining it is the family well,
the water being pure and cold.
Now passing around to the right we
come in front Of the Mansion. A pair Of
shutters on the front side Of the build
t, ing we're used by the Washington fam
lily. They are about three inches thick
J Going into the building, the first room
! we enter is the State Dining Room--s
! room Of pretty good size, high ceiling
I and well lighted.
An elaborately carved mantle-piec'
! of Carrara marble with Sienna marble
columns, is the chief ornament Of thil
room. This exquisite work has beer
attributed to Carrars. It was wrought
in Italy, and presented to Washington
!, by Mr.. Samuel Vaughan, an English
gentleman. On its passage from Italy
It fell into the hands of French pirates,
who, upon discovering that it was In
tended for George Washington, sent 1t
unipiured to its destination. 1t has
received less respectful treatment from
unknown land pirates, for its decidedly
carved figures and ornaments have
been mutilated and broken by relic
hunters.
On massive rosewood table, under
q large glass case, with heavy silver
mountings, in the centre Of the room,
is a "Model Of the Bastile," out from
the granite stones Of the demolished
prison. 1t was presented to Washing
ton by Lafayette. Accompanying it Ii
q plan of the interior Of the prison
with its, approaches, which affords
Trustworthy study Of the celebrated
old structure. :,
As 1t may be tiresome to your read
ers will not dwell upon this place
any longer.
We returned on the following day,
(Tuesday.) We visited some OF the
Public Buildings, which were very
interesting, except some few, where
there is nothing very important to at
tract strangers attention.
| At the Post-ofioe Building we were
kindly received and shown objects ol
interest by an acquaintance of ours
he received permission to take us
through the Dead Letter Office.
;, Going to the Patent Office, just
across the way, we hurriedly looked
at some Of the models Of machinery,
&c.,, which were inclosed in cases
there being thousands Of them. W.
next went to the Smithsonian Institute
There is a great collection of objects
here that weuld interest one who Ii
fond of natural history.
1 We visited the capitol on Wednesday
and q large and handsome building VI
found 1t to be. 1t is almost impossible
for me to describe 1t, and therefore viii
not make the attempt. The readers o
the REPUBLICAN are more or less famil
lar with 1t any way.
We managed to ascend to the top o
the "Dome," where we had fine view
, Of the city and surrounding oountr,
for miles.
In the afternoon we left the city and
resumed our trip, Lincoln, LoRdor
county, Va, being our destination.
After three hours ride we arrived a'
: Purcsllville, being met there BY oul
friends, and carried to their homes
lon Saturday "club" Of Lincoln, com.
, posed Of young ladies and gentlemen,
held o picnic at the "Wolf's Den," on
Short Hill Mountain, some five or SIX
3 miles distant. Ascending the aide Of
the mountain for some time, We came
to An oman piece OF ground where We