Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-09-26


not despair; see, here are several
able bodied men who will accom-
p'ish it, SO the paper was hung
by Lafayette AMI another French
his friend, and General
Washington. In this room is an
deliberately mant.e-piece of
Carrara marble, wrought in Italy,
the present oil an English gentleman.
1t, likewise, has history. On the
way to this country it fell into the
hands Of French pirates who upon
discovery that it was intended for
Washington, sent it uninjured to its
destination. Here, likewise, is a
model Of the Bastiis cut from the
granite stones of The demolished
prison, and a large plain arm chair
which came over in the Mau3ouer
Some antique poicelain vases which
formerly oluamtntsd the mantle are
how i'll tie Patent Office. 4 fine
specimen of scaweed on the chimney
front has been there at least half a
century. Several portraits adorn
the walls. This room, like all
others, with one exception, has a
railing at the door to prevent en-
trance, the visitors being compelled
TO take turns while in 'pectin5 the
interior. The policy Of " hands off
is painfully apparent everywhere.
Probably, however, it is necessary to
preserve these relics from vandal
hands.
The West Parlor has fallen to H.
linois in the distribution of apart
ments. The cornices and brass sup
ports for the curtains date from the
time of Lawrence Washington, as
also the painting of Admiral YER
nous engagement before Cartha-
genia. The picture is much discol-
cred from age. In this room is a
gilt-frame mirror, hich in the olden
time doubtless reflected the well
known lectures of the chieftain.
The Family Dining Room is taken
by South Carolina, and is the excep-
ton noted, it being used as a general
reception room. On the walls are
several historical engravings of mod
ern date, and tho original furniture
being gone and the frescoes re-
painted, there is but little left to in
terest the visitor.
Indy Washinston's Sitting Room
falls to Georgia. 1t was Washing
tons study or library before the ex-
tension was built, and here was writ.
ten the Farewell Address, delivered
III 1888.
The Library is a plain room as
signed to Massachusetts. 1t is
square and has two large windows
opening to the floor and leading to
the south portico. A fine view is
obtained from it of the river and
lawn containing both tombs. This
apartment abound in closets and Sc
cret recesses. A plain wainscoting
opens innumerable panels leading to
receptacles whose existence nobody
would suspect. These were used
for storing silver ware and other
valuables in the olden time before
safes and combination locks were in.
vented. This room was once filled
with interesting relics, but they
were sold, the library going to the
Boston Atheneum for $1,000, in
1s49, and now none Of its original
furniture is in place.
Lafayette's room, in The second
story is held by New Jersey. 1t was
occupied by the Marquis on his sew
eral visits to Vernon. The bure1u
and n small dressing-case were used
by the guest, but the remainder of
the furniture are innovations and
therefore unworthy of special refer
ence.
Two guests chambers have been
appropriated by Pennsylvania and
Delaware, Miss GUSTS Room by
Maryland, aud the Brides Room by
West Virginia. They are re6tted
in a style which dispels all thoughts
of the long ago. which one tries to
keep uppermost in his tour of the
Mansion.
The room in which Washington
died possesses an interest solely on
account of this event. Virginia has
draped the bedstead (genuine) with
curtains which hung in a chamber of
the first Governor of Maryland, in
utter defia"ce of propriety. 1t is
excessively annoying for visitors to
be compelled to be thus continually
separating the grain from the chat.
Here is secretary used by Wash
ington at Mount Vernon, but there
is some doubt as to this being the
room where it was kept. The small
stands and stately andirons are,
however, said to be verities n in
place, but not SO the news paper
published in New York announcing
Washington's death. A small STAIR
wov laads tn the rom ahova where