The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-11-18
THE ROMANCE OF MOUNT VERNON.
AT Autumn Visit TO the Home and
Tomb Of WashinEton--NeHyC CMr-
tiS'S ROscbuSh.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.-This is the
favoritc season for visit to Mount
Vernon, and during the months of Oc
tober and November the average num-
Der of visitors is larger than at any
other time. Never is the quaint and
beautiful old homestead IoveIier than
in the autumn. 1t was in 1858 that
Col. John Washington saw that Mount
Vernon would have to go by the auc-
tioneer's hammer if something did not
turn up. And here comes in the ro-
nance of Mount Vernon. A woman
who had been a confirmed invalid since
her nineteenth year raised a fund of
100000, and embodied plan that
gave Mount Vernon to the nation.
This was Anne Pamela Cunningham of
South Carolina. She was an only and
INDUCED daughter. In her childhood
she had visited Mount Vernon, and
when she resigned all of life except
that which could be enjoyed in Il sick
room, in her early womanhood, she
took hold Of project to buy Mount
Vernon, or, rather, the project took
hold of her. 1t is one of the most
singular instances of indomitable
energy and practical perseverance re-
corded. This frail woman, from her
sick bed, aroused an enthusiasm, es-
pecially among Southern women, that
resulted in splendid success. She in
spired Edward Everett with her spirit,
and his lecture on Washington poured
money into the treasury. She interest
ed Nine. LIE Vert and Mrs. Cora Mo-
watt Ritchie, and in 1860 it was accom-
plished; the house, the tomb OF Wash
ington, and 200 acres of land belonged
k<> Nhn nriS lr-
ture of Virginia granted a very sensi-
bIe charter to the association. The
capital stock was limited to $500, 900.
1t was granted in perpetuity, and no
disposition of the property could be
made without the consent of the Legis-
lature. None of the Washington fam
lily thereafter was to be inferred at
Mount Vernon, and the key of the
vault was thrown into the Potomac
River. Around the marble tombs of
George and Martha Washington is a
wooden flooring which if stepped upon
starts an electric alarm at the house.
Through the open iron work one looks
into the brick vault, where there are
only the two tombs. stHats OFF, is the
stringent rule at the grave; even the
most hippant are awed into something
like reverence. During some of the
bloodiest days of the war Mount Ver-
non was treated as neutral ground, and
soldiers of both armies were seen fra
ternizing under the trees that guard
the tomb.
Frequent description cannot destroy
the interest of the house. Year by year
are made by the re-
gents. AS far as practicable every State
has room, ornamented with relics of
Nlfsfso Il ff1f h3
style that prevailed at Mount Vernon
during the lifetime of Gen. Washing
ton. hanging in the entrance hall is
the key of the Bastilc, sent to Wash
ington by Lafayette; and over the door
of what is called the state dining room
is Washington's field glass, placed on
it's perch by the hand of Washington
himself, and never since removed.
The mantel and hearth in the dining
room are of marble, and extremely
curious. They were sent to Washing
ton from France. On the way the ship
bearing the gift was captured by pirates.
When they found that this marble was
intended for Washington they took an
of landing it on American
shores, and it was forwarded to Mount
Vernon. In the South Carolina room
hangs the portrait of Anne Pamela
She has Il refined and
thoughtful face, with deep, meaning
eyes. The attic room which Mrs.
Washington chose after Gen. WASH
ington's death, and in which she died,
is in almost the identical condition in
which she left it.
In quaint little drawing room
Nelly Custis's drawing room-is the
grand harpsichord as large as a mod
ern grand piano, which Washington
gave her as a wedding gift. This was
the grandniece of Mrs. Washington,
not her daughter Nelly, who died un-
married at twenty-five. In the grounds
stands a rose bush, where, tradition re-
lates, Nelly Custis received her first
offer, and walking around this rose
bush six times brings every young
lady who believes in the spell an offer
Of marriage within the year.
The place is managed upon the most
practical plan. The greenhouses are
made a source of revenue as well as the
farm. Only one boat is allowed to
land passengers there, and the entrance
fee of a dollar foots up handsomely at
the end of the year. In the o1d-fash.
ioned kitchen very good lunch may
be obtained, served by colored walters
a superintendent is employed, who
keeps the place in good order, and il