Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-11
MARY WASHINGTON.
A CHARMING AFTERNOON WITH MA
RON HARLAND, THE AUTHORIZES.
A brilliant Gathering in tho Parlors of
the Executive Mansion-Tho Potency
of Motherhood Discussed.

The talk on MARY the Mother OF WASH
ington" by Mrs. Terhune CMarion Har-
land) for the benefit of the Association
for the Preservation of Virginia Antioui-
ties drew together in the parlors of the
Executive Mansion yesterday afternoon
one of the most brilliant and cultivated as
semblagcs ever seen in Richmond.
Both of the large rooms were filed with
chairs which had been kindly loaned by
Mr.. Dafron, and not only were these oc-
cupied, but there was considerable over
flow in the hall.
Between the folding-dOors and against
the eastern partition had been placed
peatly-carpeted platform, the gift to the
association Of Mr.. Preston Belvin, and by
this arrangement Mrs. Terhune was not
sonl y IN full view of those in the parlors,
but those in the hall as well
RECEPTION AND INTRODUCTION.
The Reception Committee were
Bishop Randolph. Rev. DIR. Newton. Mr..
j. Aston Cabell, Hon. William Writ Henry,
and DR.. Thomas Nelson Page. and the
ushers were Messrs. L. V. Valentine, Z. Z.
ID. Myers, w. l.. Shepperd, and Bey. L.
Crump. Mrs. James Lyons remained in
the hall until Mrs. Terhune entered the
parlors and assisted in receiving the ladies.
Mrs. Terhune was condected from the
Governors Office to the platform by, Hon;
William Writ Henry, and was introduced
by the Governor, who was very happy, In
his remarks. He alluded to the fact that
the Mansion had been built for Vlrgina's
Governors, and every citizen of the Com
monwealth was welcome to it, and he wei
coined particularly the assembly of the at
ternoon. He commended the objects OF
the association. and of Mrs. Terhune he
said be did not know which to admire
most-her talent or her generosity.
MRS. TERHUSE's TALK.
Mrs. Terhune read from manuscript in
clear, pleasant voice that could be dis
tinctly heard by all present. She made no
attempt at dramatic effect, but produced
the impression Of q charming reader who
was simply entertaining party OF friends
by giving them the benefit of thnt rarest
of talent good readingl aloud" tFrom a
most entertaining, instructive, and
thoughtful production she was eloquent in
her simple and direct English. The title
of the talk, MARY the Mother of Wash
ington," conveys by no means an adequate
idea Of the scope of the subject.
The central thought was the Potency
of Motherhood" and q careful study of
the character Of Mary Washington was
presented as one of the highest exempli-
fcations of the potency. Mrs. Terhune's tri-
butte 10 the mother " was as toucbinga as 1t
was beautiful and instinct with truth that
none could fail TO appreciate. That
motherhood was the highest and noblest
destiny and the crown of woman was
emphasized by q vividly-drawn picture OF
the recognition accorded the fact by the
British people at the Queens jubilee.
ha hlu al
administered a singing rebuke TO some of
the social evils of the day.
DEVELOPING A PORTRAIT.
Mrs. Terhune's portraiture of Mary Ball
was delicate and artistic piece of pencil
ing. upon which she afterwards put the
cOlors with q strong, bold, and nervy hand
as she developed the character of the wife
and mother in Mary Washington, and
showed how the potency Of motherhood
had dmoulded the character of the illustrious
son.
Her answers to the query that had been
propounded 10 her by numerous persons,
"Why not build monument to the old
man. the father of Washington" were
bright and caustic, and her Reputation
of the hatchet story, which she said had
turned the stOmachs of great many peo-
pie against truth-telling, was very amusing.
Inc IAih hDOuuutu III Wcll hutllcublS
anecdotes illustrative of Mary Washing
toms will force, and inculcated through
out the lesson to be learned from the lives
of the true mothers from the time of the
royal Cornelia down.
By describing the condition of the
grave of Mary Washington as she
last saw it, Mrs. Terhune entered an
earnest and stirring appeal for the
erection over 1T of q suitable monu-
ment and closed her talk as follows.
I'm conclusion, az one whose love for her
birthplace can never be less than pas
sion that grows, not decreases with time,
who is proud Of the histories that hallow
every foot of her soil, whose heart tayors
the very dust thereof-let.me thank you as
for personal benefit that you have Sc
cured to Virginia the home in which this
woman lived and died. | thank you, also,
that you have asked me TO bear an humble
share in the mission Of redeeming from de-
cay and neglect the relics OF glorious
past.
THE DEAB OLD COMMONWEALTH.
"In considering the potency of mother
hood, it is inevitable that thought should
turn fondy to this dear old Common
wealth-the grandmother of US all and OF
our fathers before us-mother of Presl-
dents! mother of States Surely If ever
the people of State should write upon
their banner NoblesSe obige,' the legend Is
ours now and forever more"
Mrs. Terhune's intense Virginianlsm ran
like musical thematic chord through heI
entire talk, acknowledgements echoes at
every pause.
THANKS FROM THE ASSOCIATION.
When Mrs. Terhune had been conducted
from the platform by the Governor Hon,
William Writ Henry arose, and Oh behalf
of the association rendered thanks TO the
distinguished authoress, who, he said, bad
put honor on Virginia's name oil over the
world, who was consulted by virginia
mothers. and who was Virglnia's tutelary
goddess.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Henry's remarks
Mrs. Terhune was compelled to hold an
impromptu reception, as every one present
felt desire personally to congratulate and
thank her.
She will remain in Richmond until Fri.
day, when she leaves for Washington to be
the guest of the wife of the late Chief-Jus.
tice Waite and give her same talk IN that
city.