The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-05-10
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
A VISIT TO THE NATIONS CAPITAL.
A Baltimore County Lady Seeing the
Sights in the Nations Capital.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May Sd, 1884.
Messrs Editors We expected to leave Wash
ington on Wednesday last, but instead went aboard
the steamboat w. w. Corcoran, at 10 o'clock a M,
for Mount Vernon. We passed the Arsenal, stop
ped at Forts Foot and Washington and the city of
Alexandria, and arrived at Mount Vernon about
11.3O. Col Hollingsworth superintends fireplace,
and kindly showed us around. The first place
visited the vault, in which rest the mortal re-
mains Of Washington and his relatives. The
ladies having Mount Vernon in charge would have
built a handsome vault, but Washington in his
will gave particular directions that it should be
built of brick and selected the site. Through the
iron gates could be seen the marble sarcophagus
containing the remains of George Washington and
his wife-one on each sde-while Immediately in
the rear is an iron door leading into the vault
which contains thirty bodies of the Washington
family. The door was locked and the key thrown
into the Potomac to prevent any more from being
buried there.
From there we proceeded to the mansion. We
entered the long portico, which is paved with
stone flags much worn by time. A photographer
requested us to stand while he got picture of the
group, thinking, doubt, many would purchase,
thereby getting view of the mansion and their
likeness included. The first room we entered was
Washington's state dining room. In this was
model of the Bastile, made out of stone of the
veritable Bastile, taken by the people of France,
July 18th, 1889. 1t was presented to Washington
by Lafayette also the key of the Bastile. Wash
ington bequeathed this model to Mrs. Washington.
G. w. P. Gusts received it from her. In this
room is a chair that came over in the Mayfower.
1t was presented to Washington. Thousands
have sat in this chair.
AS Washington fought against the English l
was particularly interested in the following lines
by DIR. Andrew Reed, an English philanthropist,
and left by him with the ladies of the Generals
family: GLOW could the people suffer Mount
Vernon to pass into ruin Surely it is thing
impossible. Washington, the brave, the wise, the
good. Washington, supreme in war, in council
1 - =: WccL:- e., l:S->s :.ls
bition, discreet without fear, confident without
presumption. Washington, in disaster calm, in
success moderate, in all himself. Washington, the
hero, the patriot the Christian the father of ma
tons, the friend of mankind, who, when he had
done all, renowned all, and sought in the bosom
of his family and Of nature retirement, and in the
hope of religion Immortality"
We passed through many rooms. Each
tanned many things of interest which would take
up too much space to describe. In was
chair presented by the grandson of Lafayette,
from the castle in which Lafayette was born. In
a harpsichord, present from Washing
ton to his adopted daughter, Elenor Gusts (NIrs.
Lewis) and used by Mrs. Washington at a levee
in Philadelphia. At the head of the stairs stood
the old fashioned clock which reminded me of
''my grandfather's clock" The first room at the
whenever he visited Mount Vernon. 1t contains
the same bed and bedstead ON which he slept
We passed on to the room in which Washington
died. According to custom at that time it was
closed for two years. The same bed and bedstead
on which he died is there. Mrs. w. selected the
room Immediately over this, as by looking out she
could see the spot where he was buried. In the
room in which be died was a paper in mourning,
containing account of his DEATH L copied the
following extract from it "Died suddenly at his
seat, Mount Vernon, George Washington, Lieuten-
ant General and Commander in Chief of the
armies of the United States Of America. A Corin-
THAN pillar in the Temple of Liberty, mature in
years, covered with glory, and rich in the affcc-
tons of the American people," A black suit,
worn as mourning for his mother, in which he de-
lvered his farewell address, is one among dozens
of relics. 'Twould take too much space to de-
scribe all.
The height of the house above the river, as
measured by Washington is 124 feet, 10 inches
He was q surveyor, and his tripod and compass
are still there. In the flower garden plants
14O years old. tree stands near the house plant
ed by himself. In the old fashioned kitchen, with
its deep chimney and bake oven, people were SELL
ing iced milk to thirsty individuals We passed
down to the old e-house square brick structure
about 20 feet deep, situated high hill, at the
bottom of which you could enter the ice house by
an arched brickway. Near by is the old dairy
We quenched our thirst from the cool, clear water
that still trickles through the walls. Ali the out
buildings of brick and seem strong enough to
stand for years.
The fare from Washington to Mount Vernon is
81 for the round trip, which admits you to the
grounds The tickets have 34-cent coupon at
tached, which the manager tears off, the steam
boat company getting rs cents. 1 cannot under
stand why there should be charge of 81 to Mount
Vernon when that same boat will take passengers |
to Glymont, ten miles farther down the river, for
so cents the round trip from Washington at this |
season, and in summer for 25 cents. If the man
SvaEs o Of ID sSRt XaEpoa but they fscslvs
only "a cents, as understand it. Before the Gen.
tennial the fare Sl.50 Since which time it hes
been reduced to 81. INCoG.