The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-23

cost him near as much repairing his old one.
His improvements am told, are very great
within the last year. He is making most de-
lightful bowling green before the house and
cutting new road through the woods 10 Al
exaudria. IL would be endless 70 attempt
describing his house and grounds; | must
content myself with having seen them. The
situation is heavenly one; upon one of the
finest rivers in the world. / suppose
it, MI within gunshot There are also
plenty az blackoirds and wild geese
and turkeys. After breakfast / went with
shaw 10 see his famous race-horse Magnolia,
a most beautiful creature. whole length OF
him was taken a little while ago mounted
on hagnoiia) by famous man from Europe, in
copper, and his bust in marble one by order OF
Congress 10 be kept wherever they sit. and
the other by the State OF Virginia. TO stand In
the House OF Assembly. They will cost about
5000 sterling, Shaw says. He also showed
me an elegant state carriage, with beautiful
embematicsl figures on il, made him present
OF by the State of Pennsylvania. afterwards
went into his stables, where. among an amaz-
ing number Of horses, saw old Nelson, now
thiriy-two years of age that carried the Gen
eral almost always during the vsr. Biueskin,
another fine old horse next 10 him, now and
then had that honor Shaw also showed me
his old servant that was reported 10 have
u
papers about him. The have heard the roar
ing of many a cannon in their time. Blneskin
was not the fsyOTlt0, on account OF bis not
standing fire so well venerable old
Nelson. The General makes no manner Of
use Of them now; he keeps them in a
nice stable where they feed away at their ease
for their past services. There is horse OF
Major Washington's there that was reckoned
the finest figure in the American army It's
astonishing what number OF small houses
Che General has upon his estate Tor ms difier-
ent w0rkmen and negroes TO live in. He has
everything within himself, carpenters, brick
layers. brewers, hacksmiths, OF his family
and servants.
When the General takes his coach ont he
ALWAYS drives six horses: TO the chariot he
only puts four. The General has some tne
deer, which he IS going TO enclose PARK Tor
also some remarkable large fox hounds, made
him present Of from Eng and as he Ia fond
OF hunting and there are great plenty OF
foxes in this country.
/ forgot 10 mention Mrs. Washington's sweet
little Grandchildren. who imagine will come
in for share of the Generals fortune with
the Major / fancy he Is worth 100 900 pounds
sterling and lives at the rate OF A3.O00 or
Z 900 year: always keeping gentesl table
for strangers that almost daily VISIT HIM. as
"a thing oil course. There is "A fine family pc
ture in tho drawng-room Of the MARQUIS de
La Fayette, his lady aud three children an
other of the General with his marching or
ders. when be was Colonel Washington IN the
British army. against the French in the Last
war. and two of Mrs. Nashingtons children
cher son was reckOned one OF the handsomest
men living) also picture of Mrs. Washing
ton when young woman.
Tho General has some hundreds OF negroes
on his plantations. lie chiefly grows lndlan
corn wheat and tobacco.
II is astonishing with what raptures MIs.
Washington spoke about the discipline OF the
army. the excellent order they were in. supe..
rior 10 any troops she said, upon the face OF
the earth toward the close OF the the
war: even the English acknowledged
it, she said What pleasure she took in the
sound Of the ffes and drms, PREFER
inc il to any music that was ever heard, and
then TO see them reviewed q week or two be-
fore tie men were dlsb0nded. when theV
were al well clothed was. she said most
heavenly SIGHT Almost every soldier shed
tears at parting with the General when the
army was dlsbanded. Mrs. Washington sad
il was a melancholy sight The situation OF
Mount Vernon is, by nature, one OF the sweet
est in the world. and what makes IT stu more
pleasing is the amazing number or slOops
that are constantly sailing up and down the
river Indeed. all the ships that come TO
Alexandria or Georgetown must sail by the
Generals house,
At1i we took leave Of him. ! shook him
heartily bv the hand end wished him al hap
yiness Mr. Lee and his son left I'd soon AFTER
TO pototheir seat on this side of the Rappahan-
mock. about sixteen miles from Mr. McCalls
ut Hobbs Hole. On our way TO Alexandra we
feH IN with Mr. Luun Washington, the gen
tleman who managed the Generals estate
during the war.
We we're soon after Joined by gentleman
with pack Of fine hounds in search OF a fox;
They had had a fine hunt this morning and
killed one.
We arrived at Alexandria by 1.