The Monticellonian., 1919-02-14

the effuslons of latterng songs and stories, but is intimate terms of acquaintance with it's idolized= first president through the most trust worthy agency. that of his own hand.written let ters and documents Through the strides of mod progress and the discovery of remarkable paper surgery, 500o0 or private and official letters, addresses, documents, reports and accounts have been collected repaired and bound into volumes 400 of them, and are ac cessible those who wish to peruse them in the big library of congress in the interest of research But the most important of all the papers penned by Washington. and the which throughout it's entire length, is the most perfect reflection of him Il of affairs and of business. is his last will and testament, almost the last document penned by his hand. written about five months {before his death. After many and varied yieiss tudes this marvellous paper has been repaired and saved to posterity by being safely deposited in steel vaul in Fairfax courthouse, where if was presented for probate in 1900.
 Washington loved life and crowded into his six ty-seven years many and varied interests Through q perusal of only few of the hundreds of letters written to him and by him, it is seen that he joyed all outdoor sports and games, proficient in most of them. gambled on horses, cards. cocks and lotteries speculated in lands and stocks danced almost until the year of his death, loved theaters, teas, receptions and all social amuse- ments. Though he made constant of wines his table, moderation and method were the precept and principle or n1S nte. and these tratS are forcefully illustrated in the 24 pages of his will, which he prepared without legal aid though contrary to his usual forehought in leaving this duty until so late in life. Every line of it bears mute testimony to his efficiency in business and his sense of responsibility, and it shows that he spent considerable time in it's preparation for in dsposing of his various properties in bequests to relatives he went into great detail.
 The will was signed July g. 1799 and was fiIpd of he in Virginia in which Washington had lived and died January % 1900, being presented in open court by George Steptoe Washington. Samuel Washington and Lawrence Lewis, three of me executors.
 For long time it reposed in the office of the clerk at Fairfax Court House, but with the con. fusion of the Civil war 1t was removed to Rich. mond with other valuable papers and there lost for time. it being rumored that it had been picked up by federal soldier and sold abroad However. 1t eventually turned up at Fairfax Court House again much the for its travels and experiences.
 Then for a number of years, 1t was freely handled by visitors and historians until the edges became frayed, great holes appeared and almost every sheet split in the creases. and the ink, though good, faded from the light and ex- posture.
 When it became apparent thar steps should be taken to hold the torn sheets together. some one in authority in Fairfax turned the will over to q woman resident to be mended, which she did most literally and most disastrously with q coarse needle and equally coarse thread Consequently the needle holes and heavy thread soon worked still greater havoc through the carefully worded pages.
 Then a group of men interested in the collec- tion and preservation of historic documents headed by Lawrence Washington. sought to have the paper turned over to the government. that the experts of the state department might have a chance to repair and deposit it for safe-keep- ing along with other important papers of the government. But the Virginia authorities refused 10 permit the manuscript to leave Fairfax Court House. and consequently the aid of the state de-