Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-09-21
Alisfellarreuus.
The Romance OF Mount Vernon.


te Mount Vernon, and during the months
of May and June the average number Of
visitors is larger than at any other time
homestead lovelier than in this season of
the year. 1t was in 1853 that Col. John
Washing ton saw that Mount Vernon
would have to go by the auctioneer' 5
hammer il something did not turn up
And here comes in the romance of Mount
Vernon. A woman who had been con-
firmed invalid since her nineteenth wear
raised fund of S200, 900. and embodied
plan that gaze Mount Vernon to the na-
ton 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 sick room. in her
early womanbood, she took hold of pro-
ject to buy Mount Vernon, or rather. the
project took hold of her. IL is one of the
most sigular instances of indomitable Ell =
ergy and practical perseverance recorded
This frall woman, from her sick bed.
aroused an enthusiasm. especially amo IL
Southern women, that resulted in a ~pien-
did success. She inspired Edward
Everett with her spirit, and his lecture on
Washington poured money into the
treasury. She interested Nine. lie Vert
and Mrs. Cora Howati Richie.
and in 1860 it was accomplished
the house, the tomb of Washington.
and 200 acres OF land belonged to
national association. The legislature of
Virginia granted very sensible charter to
the association. The capital stock was
limited to $500, 900. 1t was granted in
perpetuity. and no disposition of the prop
erty could be made without the consent
of the legislature None of the Washing
ton family 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 alarm
al 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 flippant ale 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 were seen fraterniZ-
luz uIlItI Tic lItts tudt tuC tOIfIO
Frequent description can not destroy
the interest of the house. Year by year
improvements are made by the regents
As far as practicable every State has
room, ornamented with relics of Revolu-
tionary times, arranged in the style that
prevailed at Mount Vernon during the
lifetime of General Washington. Hang
ing in the entrance hall is the key of the
Bastile, sent to Washington by Lafayette
and over the door of what is called the
state dining room. is Washington's field
glass, placed on its perch by the hand of
Washington himself, and never since
removed. The mantel and hearth in
the diningroom are OF marble, and
extremely curious. They were sent
to Washington from France. On the way.
the ship hearing the gift, was captured by
pirates. When they found that this mar
bic was intended for Washington, they
took an opportunity of landing it on Amer
can shores, and it was forwarded to Mount
Vernon. In the South Carolina room
hangs the portrait of Anne Pamela Gun
ingham. She has refined and thought
tul face, with deep. meaning eyes. The
attic room, which Mrs. Washington chose
after General Washington's death, and in
which she died, is in almost the identical
condition in which she left it.
In a quaint little drawing -room-Nelly
Custis's drawing room-is the grand harp
sichord. as large as modern grand piano,
which Washington gave her rs wedding
gift. This was the grandniece of Mrs.
Washington, not her daughter Nelly. who
died unmarried at twenty-five. In the
grounds stands rosebush, where, trad-
ton relates, Nelly Gusts received her
first offer, and walking around this rose
bush six times brings every young lady.
who believes in the spell. an offer Of mar
riage within the year.
The place is managed upon the most
practical plan. The greenhouses are
made a source OF revenge as well as the
farm. Only one boat is allowed to land
passengers there. and the entrance
fee of dollar foots up handsomely
at the end of the year. In the old
fashioned kitchen u very good lunch
may be obtained, served by colored
walters. A superintendent is employed.
who keeps the place in good order, and if
the General and Mrs. Washington could
return for an hour no doubt they would
smile approvinglv.