Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-01-09
GE0R6E WASHINGTON At The JUMEI
MANSION. =.

/ ,"Ss -'iiiSi lSai. SIlali cNpeCt 10
be forgiven if should in this lit
Tie restoration vecr slightly from
the firm rocks of history toward
the ilowcry banks of romance.
| High on the coarse granite cliffs
OF the Harlem river. overlooking her
still waters. and Long Island, and
facing the sunrise, stands Il snow
whit" mansion, rich i'm the hoSpi-
talIty. the love and life of an inn
portant period in our nations his
tory, an age almost as misty now
, rs days of the dreamy Nile. and of
windy Troy.
In 1863 this home was erected
with all the convenicnccs of that
day, an electrical conductor on the
roof for safety. fire-places and and
irons In almost every room, and
candle-sticks for the dipped can
dies. hooks and cranes for pots and
Kettles, slaves galore. q spring under
The hill, books, spinet and tapestry.
The Iumcl Mansion takes its name
from Stephen Jumcl. Il wealthy
frcnchman. who purchased it i'm
1910, and restored it to its ancient
beauty, also adding walls, flowers
and shrubbcry. He planted num-
Der of Egyptian cypress trees. in
1919, that stood OH the western side.
these were presented him by Ma
polcon. and were given TO Napoleon
by the Khedivc of Egypt. Many
noted guests have been entertained
at the mansion.
The house was built in 1863 by
Lieut.. Roger Morris. Chen major
in the British army for his lovely
bride, Mary Philipsc.
Washington, a gallant younr
Virginia Colonel, had, year or so
before. met this beautiful girl. at
the splendid home Of her father.
who was then lord of Philipscburg
Manor.
They had fingered long at the
harp and spinet, had been a part
OF the minuet in the hall, had sailed
on the rivers. and had ridden horse
back together. Also the had
watched the turbulent tide at He'll
Gate and from thc high rocks had
looked through the long glass for
me Willie sails on the far Sound and
mad too often seen the English YES
sells glide up the bay until a shadow
began TO darkcn upon the bosom
or this young patriot.
washington gazcd too into the
depths OF Mary Philipsc's bright
eyes. and delightcdly upon The
Beauty Of her pure Grccian. face.
and when in twilight on the rocks
her lips formed Il perfect bow. he
Kissed them until The dimplc rip
pied away into The dusk.
But Washington was only a mill
liza colonel and Morris was now =
member of the Kings Council. The
night came for her final decision
and, although she wept, she placed
her hand reluctantly IN the hand Of
ito2er Morris, and he prepared for
hcr this mansion on the cliffs.
iirat was long and lonely lforsc-
back ride for the disappointed
Young lover, and ii required all the
kindness Of an older brother. and
all the cheer OF Mi. Vernon to re-
rivc his spirits until Inc sweet face
Of Mary Philipsc could fade from
his vision.
Believe me. that life never left
his memory.
Norris fled TO England in thc
stormy days Of the Revolution, and
Washington had his headq,aricrs
TOT thIrtN-SiX days in the mansion.
Inc sweci Mary dwelt again year
White Hall. some miles away. No.
ro'HE in all That Splendid house .usas,
30 dcar to the COMMUNICATIVE Grief
as her sunny upstairs room that
:ookS down on the Harlem river.
iherc lie slept &nd dreamed, there
DIS bed remains with its high post,
ana curtains. The lovely Mary
Phllipse sleeps in the dust of Eng
land and Washington at MI Vernon:
the mansion still stands rs Of vo,c
me dipped candles have never been
lI9hted. thc quilt is yct/unlinislrd
on The frames, the fires have died
cul Oh the hearthS and the andirons
are cofd, the spincl is mute in ibe
corner, The guests with their scar
lets and silks have vanished. and
me slaves are asleep under the hin.
The perpetual din of the nrro,
CITY ceases not day nor night. and
me Tide Gibbs and flows continual
" on the Harlem. Soon will be LOST
forever the last trace of the CLEANS
OF hight. the ginpSeS of swcc, faces
me flowers and sunsets. and tbr
ioNe and life OF that Snow-yyhitr
mansion on the cliffs.
II. \. MUERIEL.
Lcwisburs. West Virginia.