St. Landry democrat., 1890-06-07
A Day at Mount Vernon.

What hallowed associations cluster
around the grave of the Father OF his
Country 1t is Mecca shrine, towards
which many pilgrims travel, especially in
the early spring, when everything out of
doors tingles with new life, and invites
to holiday. Every morning the little
steamer leaves Washington, filed with the
young, the old, the grave, the gay all in
the best of spirits, and all determined to
see ana hear all there is to be seen ard
heard We pass the Arsenal with it's
grim but silent guns, cross the mouth of the
eastern branch of the Potomac, called the
Anacostia. Near by is Arlington Heights
and the Long Bridge famous because all the
Federal soldiers who marched into Vlr-
ginia went over it many OF them sleep
on it's sacred soil, far away from all who
ever knew and loved them While we
are talking, Alexandria is reached. This
is an ancient city once famous for Its
lovely women and beautiful gardens. 1t
now has historical fame through the tragic
death of the soldier Ellsworth. The
churches are very quaint, and we begin to
wonder how George Washington looked
as a vestryman in one of them. Some OF
the people now have the appearance of
by gone age they seem, as it were, to
have stepped down out of some old Colo
NAL Frame a picture of the past.
Fort Washington is passed, and imme-
diately after we are landed at Mount Yer
non. The tomb is between the river and
the house. What thronging memories
come as we stand here, beneath the calm,
blue skies, in the presence of immortal
dead
The obelisks of the descendants of the
Washington are close beside the two
Sarcophagi of George and Martha Wash
ington. Lafayette visited the tomb of his
old comrade, shedding many tears over the
ashes of his distinguished companion in
arms.
AS we stand here some one repeats the
lines
'Ah leave him alone to sleep forever
Till the great archapgel shall waken the dead,
By the verdant banks of that great river
Where first he pillowed their weary head"
The breath of the South is around the
old Mansion, which stands on lofty
bluff commanding magnificent view of
all the surrounding country. One feels
10th to leave it with all its subtle charm of
both past and present. The Mansion
House itself is of square blocks of cream
colored wood. The large pillars OF the
portico go to the top of the second story
the steps are of stone, and the house has
cupola and ballustrade similar to old fash
toned mansions in Georgia and Louisiana.
| Washington himself planted the mag
nolia tree whose glossy leaves shine in the
morning SUM- : Here is the garden he laid
out with such care. He delighted in this
estate, which was given him by his brother
Lawrence, a 81 of wedding gift, when he
married the bsshtiful Mrs. GUSTS. 1t was
| named for Admiral Vernon. At little
distance from the mansion are the negro
quarters, where the violin and the banjo
| made lively times when thu work of the
day was done. The kitchens, the smoke
houses, the laundry, etc, ETC., attest to
the large scale on which the affairs of the
estate were run. Much company came to
Mount Vernon, according to the custom OF
| the day. 1t was no unusual thing TO fur
nish beds for forty guests at one time.
| The Conservatives were Mrs. Washing
toms especial delight they were destroyed
| by fire, but have been rebuilt by the
| Mount Vernon Association. Great care is
now taken of the house and grounds, al
though for number of years they were
sadly neglected. In Lafayette's room
there are many relics of the brave soldier
who left his nome and country to defend
| the rights of the young colonies. wash
| ingson's bed is here in the Washington
room, the one on which he breathed his
| last. In the room above, the devo.ed wife
died some years later.
washington and his generals at York
town." striking picture, hands in the
dining room, together with some lndiv1d-
ual portraits of himself.
We look at the key of the Bastile with
feelings indescribable Tom Paine carried
this key 10 Washington as present from
Lafayette. Here in this place made holy
by Liberty's loftiest achievements hangs
this blood dyed key. The dust OF cen
turtles may not obliterate its pollution and
it's stain, while dearer than ever before
seem the privileges which we, as free
people, enjoy. =,
High brick walls are around the old
garden they are deliciously inviting, WOO
ing one to linger indefinitely. Birds sing,
flowers bloom, the river winds away and
away, and the forest seems to send up an
echo of the mighty past.
Washington was type, he was not
only good but great. His character Is
we'll worth the study of every youth in
the land.
AS our boat moves off, for the allotted
time has passed, solemn silence falls on
those who have visited Mount Vernon with
US. Washington. the more than kingly
king, is being inwardly discussed. His
trials, his beroism, his simple manly ma
ture is the theme of all hearts,. =. H..
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