Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-06-19

ago. After emerging from these som
Der surroundings we come out in the
fuu light Of the old mansion which
is on a high point Of the grounds
Coach houses, carpenter shops, spin
ming house, blacksmith shop, negro
quarters, stables, ETC., Immediately
greet the sight quite village OF
buildigns, all the original as far as
they can be barring repairs as they
are needed, lhe brick stables are I'M
loubtedly the real original and we
read on one, built in the year Of our
Lord 1885, The coach house was of
interest where Washlngton's coach
vas Investigated and one does not
doubt its genuineness as the uphol-
lstering is fast falling away from its
mountings. What was once a light
Ilue and gol: brocade is now poor
reflection Of either color. But In its
day it was very fine and expensive
vehicle and imagine how proud
the famous pair were Of it as they
rolled away to Alexandria to church
or drove about on business or pleas
ure intent. The Daughters Of the
Revolution or Regents, who have the
supervision OF Mt Vernon were hold
ing a three days convention while We
were there, with closed doors. in the
spacious reception room OF the man
sion, to which we were admitted at
forward. This room is long and rath-
er. narrow. There are a few oil paint
.ngs Of General Washington also OF
Martha Washington hung on its
ancient walls together with some
marines, landscapes, etc, altogether
it Is a stately room and must have
been quite imposing considering the
small size Of the other rooms seen
here. In one Of the parlors or draw
Ing rooms was the harpichord pre-
sented to Elenore Curtis by George
Washington, afterward Mrs. Lewis,
as wedding present. In the music
room was an old piano with qquite |
small keys yellowed with age which |
appeared loose and rafting. On the |
floor OF this room was red, white |
and blue carpet in center OF which |
is the American eagle and the in.
spring words 'E pluribus unum".
presented by Lafayette to George
Washington. The mirrors In this
and some OF the other rooms are
large with wide gilded frames and
perched on top with outstretched
wings is the American eagle again.
all the mirrors have the eagle, full.
sized and full throated apparently,
an II he could, only scream his gooo
fortune in being thus elevated aloft
on these lovely mirrors OF French
Plate glass imported all the way from
France, what happy bird he'd be.
There are seven bedrooms on tht
second and third floors Of the man
sion. There is the river room, as
the view from the windows look out
on the historic Potomac. George
Washington's bedroom where he died
is a pleasant room, not very large
with two smaller rooms leading out
from the larger presumably dressing
rooms. The high post bed is between
two low French windows, Marths
Washington's bedroom on the third
floor where she died is not so light
and airy as her l1ege Lords. just one
skylight window in the roof Tbs
Lalls of the mansion are wide and
furnished with relics Of Washington
and his good wife, swords, bugles,
ensignia, etc. We notice in glass
case the old family Bible, Washing
toms parents Bible, with the family,
lecords Of births, marriages ano
deaths and Mrs. Martha Washington's
prayer book. a large one many sizes
arger, than the modern sort. The
print so difficult to read as it was
IN that exasperating old English type
where the SIS look like VS.. was
delighted with the long wide colonial
veranda that faces the placid river
but more delighted with the river
view from the veranda. and. the
grounds on this part OF the estate.
While resting there thinking Of the
Years that had interviewed since The
great man had occupied these places
md looked out. on the self same
scenes OF undying Joy and beauty,
low reposeful and pleasant this re-
reat must have been to the hard
pressed warrior and weary statesmen,
"a rest7amid the delights OF a coun.
~ home. On my return to the
latl,a noticeal.e relic is a large iro1
icy in q glass framed box, black
Ind rusty, hanging onsthe wall sem
~ Lafayette to Washington in 17s:
through Thos. Paine. copied the
etter while standing there and Will
yiye.it to you verbatium:
London, May !, 1890.
sir:-
'My-good friend the marquise de
Lafayette has entrusted to my care
he key Of the Bastile and a drawing
framed, representing the
demolition OF that detestable prison.
As a present to your Excellency OF
which his letter will more particular
y inform. feel myself happy in
oeing the person through whom the
has conveyed this early
.rophy OF the spells OF despotism and
he first ripe fruits Of American prin-
,ipals transplanted in Europe, to
his great master and, patron. Wher
ne mentioned to me; the present he
-.o.. ,ro,, hao,& 1aoroA with /