The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-29

| and ironclads having muzzled all its port
holes. Hence it is now only used for a
parade and camp ground for the annual
encampment of the National Guard"
who are just about going into ten days
campaign,-not afield, but on foored
tents, and with other luxurious findings
unknown to the days of actual conflict
when mans shelter tent only covered
him up to his boots, and the soft side of
couple of rails from worm fence with
poncho over it. was considered lux
urious bed.
The tolling of the boat bell, and the
band on board playing Nearer My God
to Thee" announces the fact that Mt
Vernon is just to the right, and we catch
glimpses of the red roof and white facade
through the trees that shade the lawn.
Soon we catch passing view of the tomb
where the Nations greatest hero sleeps.
AS we land, tourists at this Mecca of pat
riotism, we wonder why my Country,
tits OF Thee" or "The Star Spangled
Banner" are not selected to be played in
passing this shrine instead of that hymn.
Either would be more appropriate.
Marshall Hall, to the left three miles
below, never looked fairer in its emerald
brightness than today.
Marshall Hall is an old Maryland
manor house of type now seldom met
with even in the older settlements of
Maryland or Virginia, the home of slave
owners, cultivators of plantation en-
bracipg thousands of acres. Their
amusements were hunting and fishing,
the manor house being near the Poto-
mac, and adjacent to deep woodlands.
Deer, bear and foxes were plentiful in
the region round about. They we're also
gay cavaliers, and noted for their gallan-
try quite as much as for their prowess in
the hunters field. They were staunch
loyalists until one day old King George
went little too far for even the second
generation Of Marshalls, who had been
cultivating manhood as they turned the
virgin soil into tobacco and corn. Thus
it came about no stauncher revolution
airy stuff of which heroes were made was
to be found roundabout than the Mar
shalls and CAROLS of Maryland, near
neighbors connected by marriage. One
descendant had over thirty relatives in
the revolutionary war, of one or the
name, all on the official list. Well, such
men would naturally build house and
keep adding to it, that would last as
kind of type OF the nation they helped to
build to last forever.
Marshall Hall is in pretty good state
of preservation. The manor house is
quaint place. with rooms opening right
and left on piazza either way. On the
back side of it runs Colonial hall,
tackled on during revolutionary days,
with staircase at either end, for he who
expects to go upstairs at opposite ends
Of the house, must come down one pair
and up another. There are three bed
chambers at each end of the manor
house on the second floor, which are d.
vided by a solid wall. The good old
times did not provide for the convenience
of the housewife as the architects of
these degenerate days do. Old barns, all
oyerhanging caves and roof. stand with
wide open doors on the back lawn. dis
closing cavernous place within with
stall room enough for stud of fifty
horses. And best of all the old, old trees
with magnificent great boles supporting
their leaf crowned brows and spreading
arms tremulous with the weight of sum
mer foliage, shade the greenest and best
kept of lawns, to excite our admiration.
Tiny tables. chairs and benches inviting
picnicers to make themselves at home,
are to be seen under all of these. and the
thrum, thrum, beat of the music, and the
flying feet in the dancing pavilion near
the shore, does not disturb true
dreamer.
Marshall Hall is by all odds the most
interesting pleasure resort in this vicin.
ity. The old house looks at US in a
charming light. Aunt Emily is writing
inthe paneled-to-the ceiling dining-room.
The big old fashioned fire place is full of
pots of the blooming pink mountain lau-
rel, which is so much daintier than the
more snowy rhododendron which permits
itself to be cultivated by the florist, but
which this variety never does. 1t could
not be improved.
There is no crowd during this early
part of the day. We have the lovely old
place pretty much to ourselves. Itaffects
the imagination delightfully."-, and the
girls have quiet little dance with each
other, for the fiddler pipes whether the
dancers come or not.
There has been little sprinkle OF
shower and all the birds OF the forest are
just singing the love songs of the region
round about. Scarlet tanager, robin red
breasts. hooking birds, cat-birds and
other warblers. 1t is worth going miles
to hear such thrilling music as one never
does hear elsewhere, not even on the
atapa nv the mOat oiffad rriuo d0nnoo