The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-16
Mount Vernon Visitors Report. BY Judge
J. b. Scner.

]. b. Sener.
Anything relating TO Washington is al
ways, of interest; New plogiai,hies. new
and arc read and seen with a sense OF
novelty. Washington, whether as man,
soldier or, president, IS theme or CON
is annually visited by thousands OF ms
fcllow-countryme and yet few ever
pause TO enquire the circumstances under
which the preservation of that home was
made possible. In most careful com
plete and interesting volume Judge J. IS
Sener, a member of the Virginia Board
of Visitors 10 Mount Vernon, has collect
cd all the facts relating to Mount Yer
non, from the original grant down TO the
present holding, and has interviewer with
them in a scholarly and finished manner
a most of entertaining sketches of the no
bic women who saved this historic seat
from ruin and decay and to-day preserve
il in its primitive glory. Along with these
sketches are descriptions Of the place as
it was and as it is, and the people con
ncctcd with it from its first owner down
TO its acquisition by the Mount Vernon
Association. together with Virginias con-
nection with the Association and the &C
ton of Congress and the Virginia Legisla-
of Washington. The volume is in the shape
of the report Of the Virginia Board Of
Visitors for the year 1901, but in most
complimentary notice at the end of the
report the other members of the Board OF
Visitors give the credit for the same to
Judge Sener. The book is taStefully bound
and enriched with illustrations of Admiral
Nernon-after whom the place was named
of the Mansion Homo, of the Washing
tons who owned the place. a most Valu-
able illustration, with copies of Stuarts
portraits of General and Martha Washing
ton. Of Pohck and Christ Church OF
Irving and Everett and of some of the
most distinguished regents and of the
connected with Washington and the Mount
Vernon purchase
Maps of the estate and surrounding
country add TO the value and attractive
ness of the book which should be in the
library Of every Vrginian.
1t is almost impossible in so short an ar
tclc as this TO do more than call atten-
ton to the wealth of historical Informal
ton collected for the first time in this
book. Every act of the Virginia Legis-
laturc is given; the origin of the move
ment to acquire the place; extracts from
the newspapers of the cay; the legal his
Tory OF the title; the connection of the
Commonwealth of Virginia with the Asso-
gents; the work of Edward Everett the
proceeds of whose Washington orations.
etc, amounting to nearly $4,000 aided so
materially in the purchase are fully set
out. a most charming and SYMPATHETIC
sketch of the first regent Miss Ann Pam
Ia Cunningham, accompanied by a portrait
Is given. To the efforts of this noble wo-
man, who originated the idea of the pur-
chase of the estate. the acquisition Of
Mount Vernon is mainly due.
biographical notices and PORTRAITS of
several of the regents and vice-ragents are
given and we note the Interesting fast that
q grand-niecc of Washington, who was
the wife OF prince and the daushtcr-in-
law of a lling-A1adame Murat-was a one
time Vlce-rcSent of the custodians of this
home of the king among men.
a 1ull history of the building itself: the
relics therein preserved and many inter
eStng details Of the management are
given.
The State of Virginia and the Union owe
a debt OF gratitude TO Judge Sener for his
labor and zeal in the preparation of this
work. which is not only of literary inter-
est; but Of valuable historical interest as
well. co
Both in matter and preparation, as wcu
as in the neatAess of the typographicaI
work, binding and Illustrations the volume
colnne1idS itself to every reader.
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