The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
4 noted benign MOTHER
Where Many Prominent American
Women Were Educated.
Events in the History OF the Convent
Who Are Buried Benesth Its Walls
Visit From and Speech by John
Quincy Adams, of MassachTsetts.

The Convent of the Visitation, in George
town. is q weiI-known landmark to Wash
ingtonians Some of the most distinguished
women of the country have been educated
there. living a great part of their early
lives within the sombre red brick walls,
and it is. perhaps. safe to say that not one
OF these brilliant queens of society but has
retained amid the worlds gaieties a fond
recollection of the days spent with the
good sisters and happy schooimates.
The institution presents the most piquant
contrasts imaginable. for here are seen
young girls perfccting themselves in ae-
complishments that win enable them to
achieve social triumphs andS women who.
while deyoting themselves to inlparting
this knowledge. together with that of
higher nature. have renowned forever ''the
world and all its pomps and vanities."
The attention Of the young pupils is at
traeted, in many ways, TO the fleeing ma
rure Of this life. and emblems of mortal
ity are abundant within the convent walls.
All OF the sisters who have died there, to-
gether with the founder and enc Of the
spiritual directors are buried either in the
large vault beneath the chapel or in the
little cemetery in the grounds. In the
centre of the vault is seen the coffin or
Archbishop Neaie. with the following in
scription: Here lies the body Of Most
Reverend Leonard Neale, second Arch
bishop of Baltimore. and founder of this
monastery" Near by is the tomb of Rev.
Picot Clorivere On plain little boards
around the sides of the vault are recorded
the names of those who lie buried there.
There are. however. five exceptions to this.
in the graves OF Alice Lalor. three mem
bers OF the Neale family and Miss
Yturbide. which are marked by plain tomb
stones. Around the wall are several
Scriptural quotations. and an oil painting
of a Visitation nun prepared for burial,
her habit and veil adorned with white
flowers Through the windows OF the
vault. pierced in the thick, ivy-coTered
walls IS seen the garden. and here again
are more tombs, plain black crosses, which
mark the site of the little cemetery in the
outer grounds.
The remains of Virginia Scott, daughter
OF Gen. Winfield Scott, who renounced thu
world for the eloister. were first p'aced
in the vault. awaiting her fathers arrival
nun has thus described the last occl-
sion upon which the father looked upon his
daughters face;
Here stood the old hero OF Lundy's
Iaite ana the COnQueToI OF the cdpltdl o.
the Mon:ezumas. TO bid last farewell 10
% lovely child OF his heart. whom he
had generously allowed TO give herself, in
ali hsr youth ard beauty, TO God. in a re
ligion he did not profess but respected
At the breaking out OF the civil wer
the convent would have been taken p)s-
session of by the Covenant for army
purposes had not General Scott asked of
Secretary stanton that the SPOT made a
cred to him by the grave OF HIS child
should. if possible, be spared
The entire area covered By the convert
walls IS about thirty-lve acres. The
grounds are beautifully laid out. with
trim kept hedges and grayeled walks, ard
Georgetown College Is seen close at hand
upc1 it's commanding e:ninenee.
There is an old and new building
forming the convent. the latter p-esen ing
exactly the same appearance as it did half
q century ago The chapel divides the
two and over the door Of this ediiice is
read the following inscription: