Evening star., 1918-02-17

as a mark of respect to the memory
of Washington.
On August "a. 1914. Commodore Cor
don Of the British navy, passing Mount
Vernon on his flagship. caused the bell
to be struck at intervals as a tribute
of a distinguished sailor to the great
commander of the American armies
during the revolutionary war. Since
then. MI Balfour was told. the custom
has continued, and steamer passengers
remove their hats as the bell tolls. The
distinguished statesman so valued the
information that some days after. when
one of his countrywomen visited Mount
Vernon, he requested her to ask Col.
Dodge to tell her the story and take
her down to the wharf at the foot OF
the lawn. where the waters OF the
Potomac river sweep the shores OF
Mount Vernon.
When shown a wrought iron lantern
hanging in the main hall Of the man
sion which had been sent to Lawrence
Washington by Admiral Edward ver-
non, r. N, for whom Mount Vernon
was named, Mr.. Balfour listened to the
history of it's discovery after many
years and it's return to Mount Vernon.
and he spoke feelingly Of the move
ment in England to restore the interior
of Sulsrave Manor. the home of the
Washingtons there. and the grounds
about the place. notwithstanding
there are so many crying needs FOR
money In the British empire, the col
lection of funds for the work has not
been allowed to rest. as the home of
Washingtons ancestors Is another tie
between America and England.
1t was particularly pleasing to the
government officials that the visits of
the foreigners to the home of Gen.
Washington had but little of a perfume
tory atmosphere, but had more of the
semblance of voluntary desire to
show honor to one whose life they
held in reverance and whose principles
had become vital to them through the
horrors of the present war.
Marshal Joffre, in placing on the tomb
of Washington the bronze sheaf tied
with the coiors of France, the emblem
with which the graves of distinguished
Frenchmen are decorated. shed tears:
and later. when quietly sitting in the
chamber in which the great general
breathed his last. seemed in deepest
meditation. He was much interested in
the articles in the room which had been
used by Washington duHng his life
and especially in the mahogany shay
ing stand presented to Washington by
NJ Genet, the first French minister to
this country. 1t will be remembered
that M Genet was recalled. but he re-
manned in America. where he married
The military trunk used by Washing
ton was carefully exa mind. as was the
desk which was used by Mary Wash.
fngton, mother of the President.
Col Dodge spoke of the lively interest
taken by the Count de Chambrun, 9
member of the French mission and 8
descendant of Lafayette, in the man.
articles In the mansion presented t.
Washington by Lafayette and Louii
XVI
The key of the Bastile. which hang.
in a case in the central hall of thu
house, and on the opposite wall thu
hunting horn were presented by ths
ancestor of the count. This was thu
horn used by Billy. the servant o.
Washington, when on a fox chase. L
resounded many times through this
forests about Mount Vernon in thu
days when Washington was given t.
the sport he liked best Numerous
other articles of Lafayette's affection
and thoughtfulness were called atten
tion to.
Baron Moncheur Of the Belgian mis-
sion recalled many pleasant visits t,
Mount Vernon during the years he wa
mini ster from Belgium to the Unite'
States He had the satisfaction Of TAX
ing his countrymen over the place.
The italian. the Japanese. the Serbian
and several South American mission
have been entertained at the home o
. Washington within these last month";
ali honoring the memory Of the once
. and stateSman with whose life the.