The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-06-23
A TRIP TO MOUNT VERNON.
ILETON. ,Junc 1S 1873

NelHoll INC ollltI iay, INC HolIfc anu Dui-
ial place of Washington, and will tell
your readers what it looks ike at ,he
present time.
Leaving Washington early in the morn
ing, enjoying delightfully."- pleasant sail
down The historical waters of the Poto-
mae, passing the |. $. Arsenal-thc scene
of Mrs. Surrat's execution, we arrive AT
the first stopping place, the ancient city
of Alexandria. One can hardly realize
that this sleepy town of sixteen Thousand
people, with its deserted warehouses; and
idle vessels, was once the rival of that
blooming metropolis, Baltimore. This
point was originally selected for the cap
itol. Here, beneath the antiquated raj
tiers of the old court house, Washington
first began to serve his country as an aid
the Marshall House, where was enacted
the initial tragedy of the late Wharf.-The
murder of Col. Ellsworth and its prompt
avenging in the death of his assassin
a hotel keeper named Jackson.
Continuing the journey down the river
passing Forts Foote and Washington. we
observe upon the right bank of The stream
upon an elevation of 200 feet, waving in
majestic dignity over the historic home
OF her formost son, the stars and stripes
Landing ut the old wharf, the main part
of which was erected in colonial times,
we pass along through the gate and up
the wide avenue, whose shining gravel
and whitewashed cobble stones contrast
beautifully with the luxuriant foliage.
and begin ascending the elevation which
slopes gently upward from the water 5
edge. On the right in Il small rayine
bowling in meek humility over the weep
ing spring are the willows from Napo-
Icons tomb at st. Helena, recalling the
celebrated words of the first consul.
Washington, the friend of liberty, is
dead"
Near by, in an enclosure of white
picketS, is the original site selected by
Washington for his final resting place.
Here the ashes of the great chi.tain rest
''t hilii iSDi. '" h'ii, '''tiiSt III an dl-
tempt to steal his remains. the body was
removed to the plain brick structure now
overgrowu with vines and known ~,
Washington tomb" The arcllrd en-
trance is protected 10y double iron gates.
Within the enclosure are seen the sarco
phagi. The one on the right is urna-
mented by the L. 5. coat of arms upon Il
draped flag, and bears the single word,
g., I ~.
plain, is the Sarc"phagu' bearing the
words Martha, con>ort of Washins tnn
aged seventy-one years, l'-S uni is the
vault containing thirty bodies of the
family aud relations The last mtermcnr
was made in 1887. The vault was then
sealed, the ear door locked and the key
thrown into the Potomac.
Leaving this impressive lrralitv. at
whose portals even Europeans bow with
uncovered heads. we find ON our path
way the Washington oak, Il grand old
tree. said to he 30 years eld, measuring
twelve feet in circumference. An acorn
from this tree WAS planted with great
care at st. Petersburg by the late Gar
of Russia.
On the ascent. on the left. is The first
building we encounter. the odd brick
barn, built III | .:;i. 10y Lawrence Wash
inoton, an elder brother To George. tn"
bricks. all in condition were Imported
from England by the builder. just be
yond is the Mansion lI"l>,.. Il fine old
structure of u hundred irrt front b,
thirty-tive in depth. The broad porch,
gemmrd with time Worn TILES. affords Il
commanding view Of the Potion tc. some
two miles Wide At this point. the nppp-
site shores of Mar, land. and thc arhnr
like avenue through which We have lust
passed.
The Mansion House and adjoining
property of 200 acres, the Whole extent
Of Mount NernGn-is owned and exclu
sively controlled by an association of
ladies' the only Legislative corporation
i'll the world which is comprised of one
representative from each State i'll the
Union. These ladies purchased this prop
erty in 1879 for the sum of $2O0. 600 from
Augustine Washington. and since that
date have spared no efforts in maintain
ing the place as it was originally kept
during Washington = occupancy. Large
sums of money have been eXpend d in
purchasing and restoring original articles
of furniture. and no expense has been
spared to make the place thoroughly in
teresting to every patriotic American.
The Association employs Il number OF
assistants. all under the management of
Col. Hollngsworth, a bullet SCARED vet
eran of the Mexican war.
The spacious doorway of the house
contains. III IA lass case at the left. the
key OF the BaStie-a present from Lafay
cite to The great friend of Liberty.'
To the right is the music room, contain
ing the harp>ichord. flute and masonic
apron of I.atayette's. Next is the State
dining room, with its high ceilings dec
grated with fcsto"ns Of leaves ana rmhln-
mati:al panels Here also is the historical
mantel Of C.trrara marble. returned AT
one time by French pirate, when he
discovered that it was intended for Wash
ingJon, who sent it uniniured to its drS-
tinatiou. Near bv is a model of the
l,astile, cut from Il block of stone from that
French prison and Il chair wi"h came to
this country in 1920. with the Mayilpwrr.
Upon the wall is II painting. the original
of that familiar equestrian picture of
Washington at Yorktown, rebukinr an
officer for neglect of duty. Passing on
through the family dining room. con
tanning the portraits of William Pitt. the
earl of Chatham and an old sidebnard.
We enter room to the east, in former
years Washington study. but later
known as the 'ouncil room. There is
not much in this ronm-a few quaint old
chairs, pair of old andiron>, and Il pie
ture of Il Miss Cunning ham, the first re
gent of the Association Passing through,
the airy library, with its panel closets
and glass cases. We observe on the stair
way tie old fashioned eight day" clock
upon whose honest dial the fingers have
- stopped short at The hour Of nine
" never 10 90 again.
After passing through Lafa,ette'S
chamber, we enter Il medium sized loom
large lire place, wide bel
stead, and an old worm eaten medicine
chest. This IS the room where. on the
! 18th OF December, 1199, the Father of
his Country died. The place and time
beSpeak sulemnity. Those who were
lately TESTING bow with uncnyered heads
at this sacred shrine. No sound is heard
save the soft wind signing through the
trees beyond the open case.
nent. IL gentle echo To tie dying chief
LianS words. lis We'll. It's WE'LL
\ narrow Hight of stairs leads to an
apartment just over the one last mention
I'll. 1t is long, narrow room, diniy
lighted with one window, aud containing
but one piece of original furniture. This |
WAS the scene of Martha WaSi =
uaton'S death. On the third floor ar,
i've small rooms, all lighted by dormrr
windows. At the tgp of the house is an
,etagonal cnpola, from which may hG |
obtained sweeping view in all ,iirec |
ions. On leaving the house by the west |
inur the neat Eitrhru dining room office /
md gardeners cottage are to be seer,
From the rear of the Last named build |
ng the broad wax, fringed on either