The Republican., 1896-06-11
BEAUTIFUL MOUNT VERNON.
A Correspondent Visits and Writes
of the Home of Washington.

j
than is Oakland at this season of
the year, one who has seen some
thing of this country, north and
south, knows not of it.
1t may be that winter here lin
gers bit too long in the lap of
spring, as Mr.. Nye puts it, but
when it has taken its departure not
a more desirable place, in our opin-
ion, can be found. 1t was therefore
with reluctance that on the morn
ing of May 18th, Oakland and the
Alleghenies were left behind even
for the purpose of a pleasant trip.
About six hours on 5he B. & O.
brings us in sight Of the Washing
ton monument. Having on former
occasions become somewhat famil-
lar with the sights of Washington,
it is determined on this occasion to
visit Mt. Vernon and other outlay
ing points of interest, with the res
ervation that CorcOran's Gallery of
Art must be passed on no account.
We must spend a few hours of each
visit to the capital in admiring
what the mobiles Of all ages and
countries have enshrined-art. The
Alexandra boat from Washington
affords a breezy, lnvigorating ride
down the Potomac. We think of
the contrast between the stream
across which we could step in search
of brook trout in the morning and
the same stream that now bears
upon its bosom the huge steamer
upon which we ride, and from the
waters of which men are taking the
sturgeon. Those contemplating a
trip southwark, and not in a great
hurry, cannot spend an evening and
a night much more pleasantly than
by taking the bay steamers to For
tress Monroe and Norfolk.
Thirty minutes to Alexandria.
Here is quaint old town, and busy,
too. Visitors are directed to see
the old colonial church, built of
brick brought from England, and
wonderfully preserved. Nothing
to compare with our Corinth brick
which are pressed rather than pre-
served. The accommodating sex
ton points out the family pews of
Generals Lee and Washington, and
suggests that for the munifcent
sum of fifteen cents we may enter
and register our names. We don't.
Our faces brighten wheL the sexton
shows copy Of the original sub
scription of General Washington to
the pastors salary-a large sum.
Oh! for multitude of vest pocket
editions of General Washington for
patriotism sake. Thirty minutes
ride by electric car through the
shady woods and the visitor places
his foot on groGnd sacred to the
heart of the nation, Mt. Vernon,
the home and burial place of Wash
ington. He whose heart will not
warm with patriotism as he walks
upon ground hallowed with such
sacred associations is certainly not
to be enyied. Hence went the
leader to the call of his country,
either to lead in the resistance
against the oppressor, or to sit as
the representative of peace and
progress at the nations head. Here
within an hours ride of ourN National
Capital is located a constant remin-
der of true patriotism and states
manship. Would that the visits of
statesmen to this spot were more
frequent, for it seems that the
Washington monument and all that
it represents are to some late states
men small in comparison to a fee.
The home of Washington is plain
and grand in its simplicity, like its
designer and former owner. A
central, two-story rectangular bull
ding, the length twice its breadth,
weatherboarded in imitation of
white stone, and surmounted with a
small observatory, looks out upon
the Potomac from porch that runs
the whole length of the eastern
front, this porch supported by a
white colonnade. Extending from
either end of this main building
and curving around to the west tc
form a semi-circle facing magnif-
icent lawn and drive way, is q
covered way supported on either
side by white columns. Each Of
these covered ways end westward
the one in the old kitchen and the
other in the bakers house. Group
ed around these two end buildings
and of the same small proportions
are the homes of other employees
butler, weaver, etc. The negroes
quarters, of brick construction
fronted by the garden, now beau
tlfully kept in flowers and orna
IL IL i 1.