Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-16
tory does not relate whether Washington ever
succeeded in extracting music from il or not.
MRS

tory does not relate whether washington ever
succeeded in extracting music from il or not
MRS. WASHINGTON.
Many Of the articles shown are reminders of
the stately projections of the first lady in the
land one hundred years ago. A relic Of
velvet for the left hand. worn. il is said BY Mrs
Washington on state occasions. There is a ca
pacious work-bag or reticule, neatly embroi-
dered and gathered. which Mrs. Washington
made herself from materials worn by the gen.
eral and herself. There are many rare old
bits of China, neatly designed candlesticks. and
other Small articles in which. doubtless, the
mistress Of Mount Vernon took great pride.
One article preserved in the family is an
old paper-covered Chinese box. ornsmented
with Monaghan prOfusion and Indifference
to perspective. In this box. and in another be-
side il, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. tea was
sent TO Gen and Mrs. Washington all the way
from China. In those days there was no Pacific
Mail steamship line. and to get TO China meant
voyage of half year or more.
4 shagreen-coyered knife case. once used in
the dining-room at Mount Vernon. is 80 care
fully preserved that il must evidently have
been much priced Among the candestlcks
is a tall pair of brass ones, attached
together, from the library. This has
arranged upon an upright rod a brass shield
or shade. The shutters belonging to the set
have been lost. This candlestick has a special
historic interest, because Mrs. Lewis handed
down with it the affirmation that she herself
had seen Washington writing his farewell adj
dress by its light
THE OTHER RELICS.
The relics that have been longer in the pos
session Of the government include Washington
camp equipage, his tents and chest, fitted up
with grldIron. knives and forks. and canisters
for different articles TO give zest to his simple
meal: the elaborate dinner set presented 10 him
by the society of the Cincinnati, aud
ornamented with the symbols of the society; a
part of set of china presented by Gen.
Lafayette 70 Mrs. Washington. and having. be-
sides the Washington monogram, the
names of the several states inscribed
IN the links Of a chain extending around
each piece an iron treasure chest and
many separate articles of furniture and China
ware. shaving table bequeathed by Wash
ingtOn to DIR. David Stewart recently de-
posted in the museum by Mrs. Thomas {.
Cox. of this city 1t is of mahogany with a
lid that can be lifted and when lifted exposes
beneath marble top, while the inside OF the
lid itself is mirror.
Another object of much interest is a sur
veyor's compass, presented to Washington by
David Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia. Cap
tain Samuel Duval, surveyor OF
Frederick county, Maryland, was, about
the time the city of Washington was
laid out engaged by Washington to survey his
estate at Mount Vernon. Capt. Duval, the
story goes. had an old compass which did not
work well. and he got somewhat
profane. Washington, who was with
him turned on his heel went to the mansion,
and returning with the Rittenhouse compass
presented it to the irate captain. at the same
time lecturing him on the subject of equanim-
ity of temper.
Washington's tents, the sleeping tent and the
headquarters, were set up in the Smithsonian
grounds some months ago and photo
graphed In this. connection 4 joke on
Col. Wilson, commissioner of public buildings,
and grounds, is told While riding through the
grounds he saw the tents, and, calling
a Waterman, ordered him TO have
the tents removed and arrest the
daring peddler who had erected them. At
the same time he remarked that he did not in
tend to have peanuts and small beer stands put
up in the public grounds. The Waterman pro-
ceeded to obey his behest, but before an
arrest was made Col. Wilson was
informed that the tents were Gen. Washing
toms, and that the purpose was merely to secure
photographs of them. Col. Wilson laughed
over his mistake and the photographing went on.
A rare and valuable part OF the collection is a
pair of Worcester vases, decorated in gold and
colors, with groups of animals painted
by ONeale. These were presented to
Gen. Washington by Mr.. Samuel Vaughan. of
London. similar pair was purchased few
years ago by Baron Rothschild for a sum said
to have amounted TO nearly $4,000.