Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-05
MOUNT VERNON AND ARLINGTON

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MOUNT VERNON AND ARLINGTON.
Two Beautiful and Historic Spots ON
the Banks OF the Potomac.
INTERESTING INFORMATION ron TNAucuR.r. VS.
IToRs-wAsHINGroNs BONE AND Irs PRESENT
srATUs-How TO REACH 1T AND WHAT TO SEE
ARLINGTON EsrArE-THE SOLDIERS CEMETERY.
There has been SO much said and written
about Mount Vernon and Arlington that there
are probably few persons who are not some
what familiar with these places, yet the points
OF difference In their management is not gen.
orally understood. A former superintendent at
Mount Vernon says scores of visitors expressed
surprise at the absence Of ornamentation and
modern Improvement there, through ignorance
OF the fact that the purpose for which the estate
was purchased was to preserve intact the house
and grounds, while at Arlington external deco
ration progresses from day to day and closely
approximates perfection.
MOUNT VERNON,
on the Potomac river, is II miles south of WASH
ington, and accessible by boat from 7th-street
wharf daily Except Sunday at 10 a. m, return
to the grounds. is 81 one-third OF which Is de-
Quoted for the benefit of the association and is
the principal source Of revenue. amounting an
nuaily TO several thousands of dollars. -
IA 1856 the Virgini legislature passed an act
authorizing the purchase of the property. viii IN
was subsequently made for the sum of $2OO 600.
Nearly one-third of the purchase-money was
contributed by Edward Everett, as the result of
literary labor. and to whom, with Miss Cunning
man, the first regent. thanks are mainly due for
the efforts made to secure its purchase.
IT'S FORMER OWNERS.
Lawrence Washington. who died in 1859, be-
queathed Mount Vernon to his daughter, iu the
event of whose death, without issue. 1t was to
come into possession of his half-brother. George
washington. The daughter died soon after her
lather and the estate became the property of
George Washington, who resided there at the
time OF his death. Bushrod Washington q
nephew, and one of his executors, inherited the
estate. He died In 1929, and his remains are in
TERED In the family vault John Augustine
washington, anephew OF Bushrod. was appointed
one OF his executors. and Mount Vernon became
his property by bequest. and from His heirs was
purchased in 1859. The farm contains two hun
dred acres, the greater part of which is under
cuiti alton. considerable amount of money
Is realized from the sale OF farm products. which
in addition to the revenue derived from entrance
fees and the sale OF photographs, is sufficient to
meet the current expenses Whilst the receipts
are comparatively large the expenditures are
necessarily the same. and to meet the demand
for repairs alone calls for an outlay of large
amount Of the revenue.
THE ASSOCIATION
is composed of a regent one vice-regent from
each state, secretary, treasurer and advisory
board, which meets annually in May. TOR the
purpose OF transacting business connected with
the estate and comforting with the board of yisi-
ADDOinfqd of Uh hu to
to see that the conditions of the purchase are
fulfilled. ..-
ADVICE TO VISITORS .....
In visiting Washington, Mount Vernon should
be made the objective point. To one who has
been there there is nothing new to be told
Along the pathway from the boat leading to the
mansion the guide has told the same old story
every day for years. answered the same ques-
tiOns, and made the same explanations until
a repetition of it seems like plagiarism-it seems
to belong to him alone. TAthose who have not
been there the trip down VIE river is prelude
to the pleasure in anticipation. The Arsenal,
where Mrs surratt was hanged. the Govern
ment insane hospital. Fairfax seminary and
Alexandra, whose glory has long since de-
parted. are the principal points OF interest en-
route. From the wharf at Alexandra may be
seen Christ church. in which Washington and
Lee wOrshiped and were vestry men, and on
the walls of which tablets in memoram have
III.
docks headquarters. and the Marshall house.
former site of the hotel in which Col. Ellsworth
was killed, are pointed out, and complete the
sights to be seen in a city whose grass-g grown
streets dsclaim its possibility of at one time
becoming the seat Of government.
THE TOMB. rr~
From Fort Washington, few miles distant
Mount Vernon may be seen and its approach
announced by the tOlling bell and hoisted flag
ho obn
soon reached. 1t is built of brick in simple
design. The sarcophag, wrought from solid
blocks of marble and which contain the remains
OF George and Martha Washington are viewed
through an iron gate, which are never opened
except when repairs are made in the tomb
over the doorway Is the Inscription, 81 am the
Resurrection and the Life He that believeth in
Me, though he were dead. yet shall he live"
The plainness of the sareophagus of Washington
is relieved by the United States coat of arms
and nag, with the word Washington" in
scribed upon it. In the vault at the rear are
buried lumber of family relatives After the
body OF General Washington was removed from
the vault In 1887 il was closed and the KEY
thrown Into the Potomac. On either side of the
tomb are monuments marking the resting places
OF Bushrod and John Augustine Washington.
Mrs. Elanor Parke Lewis (nee Nellie Custis)
and her daughter. Mrs. Conrad, whose tomb
bears this beautiful inscription I" If the possess
sion OF every virtue that adorns or dlgnfes her
sex could have warded of the stroke Of death
she would have been immortal; and those who
mourn her untimely end are cOnseled by reflect
lon that those virtues seemed better to fit her
for the abode to which her spirit has fled than
for that which 1t has abandoned"
PREVAILING HARMONY.
One is impressed with the harmony which
prevails everywhere about the house. The old
furniture has been reproduced, and the house
very nearly restored to its original condition.
Visitors are denied direct entrance to the rooms
Tn the mansion. The mark of vandalism on
every hand Is sufficient explanation consequently
gates over which full view OF the rooms NAV
be had are used instead OF doors. yet these offer
no resistance to determined relic hunters Some
years since woman fingered behind the crowd,
climbed over gate. and was In the act OF an
propriating number OF small articles, when
found by the superintendent. who after salts
flying himself as to her manner of ingress. de-
manded exit In like manner. small portion of
fax was stolen from the old spinning
wheel, abd returned years afterwafd with
Instructions TO ''please replace and for
give" Nothing but visit to this hallowed
spot can convey an idea of what Southern
home was in days gone by. There are mo
remnants Of things that have passed away" to
tell Us what IL has been, but everything remains
in az good order as when the dwellers of the
home went out and did not return again
ARLINGTON,
about mile from the landing on the Virginia
side OF the Potomac river, Is reached via the new
bridge. The road to the right from the bridge
O,1srh Fort Me- a.