The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-07-14
Our Washington Lett er.
tOUR REGULAR LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 8, 1882

was in 1858 that Col. John Washington
saw that Mount Vernon would have to 60
by the auetIoneer's hammer if something
did not turn up, and here comes the ro-
nance of Mount Vernon. A woman who
had been confirmed invalid since her
nineteenth year raised fund of 5000, 600
aud embodied a plan that gave Mount
Vernon 10 the nation. This was Anne
Pamela Cunningham of South Carolina.
She was an only and indulged daughter.
Iu her childhood she bad visited Mount
Vernon and when she resigned all of life
except that which could bs enjoyed in n
sick room in her early 'Womanhood, she
took hold Of the project to buy Mount
Vernon, or, rather the project took hold
of her. 1t ia one of the most singular
instances of indomitable energy and
practical perseverance recorded. This
frail woman from her sick bed aroused
an enthusiasm, especially among South
ern women. that resulted in q splendid
success. She inspired Edward Everett
with her spirit, and his lecture en- Wash
ington poured money into the treasury.
She interested Nine. LIE Vert and Mrs.
Cora Howatt, Richie, and in 1860 it was
accomplished; the house, the tomb OF
Washington. and 200 acres of land be.
longed to national association. The
Legislature of Virginia granted very
sensible charter to the association. The
capital stock was limited to $500, Coo il
was granted in perpetuity, and no dis
position of the property coald be made
without the consent of the Legislature.
None of the Washington family theieaf.
were 10 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 Washing.
ton is W ooden flooring which if stepped
upon starts au electric alarm at the
house. Through the open iron work one
looks into the brick vault, where there
| are only the two tombs. "Hats Off is
the stringent rule at the grave; even the
most fippant are awed into something
like reverence. During some of the
bloodiest days of the war Mount Vernon
was treated as neutral ground, and SOL
diers of both armies we're soon fTaterniz-
ing under the trees that guard the tomb.
Frequent description cannot destroy
h. interest of the house. Year hy year
improvements are made by the regents.
As far as practicable every State has a
room ornamented with relics of revolu.
tionary times. arranged in the style that
prevailed at Mount Vernon during the
lifetime of Gen. Washington, Hanging
in the entrance hall is the key of the Bias.
tile, sent to Washington by La Fayette
and over the door of what is called the
state dining room is Wasbington's fielc
glass, placed Oh its perch by the hand Of
Washington himself, aud never since re-
moved. The mantel and hearth in th,
dining room are of marble, aud extreme
ly curious, They were sent to Wash
ington from France. On the way th,
snip bearing the Gift was captured b,
pirates. When they found that the mar
BILE was intended for Washington the,
| took an opportunity of landing it ol
American shores aud it was forwarded +
Mount Verhon. In the South Carolln
room hangs the portrait of Anne Panel
Cunningham. She has a refined au
thoughtful face, with deep meaning eyes
The attic room which Mrs. Washiugto
chose after Gen, Washington's death an
la which she died, is in almost the idel
. tical condition which she left it. In
quaint little drawing room--Nelly Gu
tis's drawing room-is the grand harps
= chord, as large as a modern grand plan,
which Washington gave her as we,
ding gift. This was the grandniece
: Mrs, Washington, not her daughter Ne
: ly, who died unmarried at twenty-tw
Ii 'hS s-ouhub htdnNS rose DuSD, Wnt ]
tradition relates, Nelly Custis receiv,
her first offer, and walking around IL
g rose bush six times brings every your
/ lady who believes in the spell an offer
marriage within the year. The place
! managed upon the most practical pla
ie The greenhouses are made source
I revenue as well as the farm. Only O.
II boat is allowed TO land passengers the
If and the entrance fee of dollar foots
4. handsomely at the end OF the year.
lie the old fashioned kitchen very go
lunch may be obtained; served by color
Iy walters. A superintendent is employe
% who keeps the place in good order, a
fe if the General and Mrs. Martha could
10 turn for an hour no doubt they won
of smile approvipgly, AUGUST.