The Holbrook news., 1921-02-18

tourists. Mt Vernon, of course, Is the Washing ton shrine and 1t will continue to be that so long as the republic endures. It the Virginia home the Potomac to which Washington took his bride; there he made plans for his life work, plans that were rudely shattered by the events of later years It was from that refuge that he went forth to command the armies of the Revo- lution and it was from the seclusion of that attractive place that he answered the call to be President. He returned to the old home on tiring from office, and there he died, and there his bones lie.
 When the national capital city was laid out and for many decades afterward, Mt. Vernon was looked upon Hong ways Ohy' from the capital. It is only seventeen miles away Today there are three ways of reaching Nit. Vernon by boat by electricity, by automobile. It is an easy hours travel from the business center of Washington. With these facilities the number of visitors has greatly increased It is believed the time is not far distant when a million and a half of tourists will annually visit Mt Vernon.
 If you should happen to be in Mt. Vernon the 22d of February you would, in imagination, Washington as he went about his country place on his birthday. 'The very atmosphere speaks to you of him." said distinguished Frenchman. Visitors marvel at the faithfulness with which the buildings and their contents and the grounds have been preserved. There have been, of ne cessty, some replacements but speaking in a broad way, things they were when Wash ington last looked upon them. One can almost see the house cat coming out of the hole under the door that led to the room occupied by Mrs- Washington. And what sense of comfort gets as he sits in easy chair the veranda and looks out over the Potomac and across the river to the hills of Maryland just as Washington did! "No wonder Washington did not wish to leave the place even to be President of his try" one says to himself.
 The Mount Vernon Ladies' Aid society continues to care for the Mt. Vernon home and lands. The country owes debt of gratitude to this society for preserving the property. Years ago when 1t was about to fall into the hands of private spec ulators this society formed and 1t has done its work well. Many persons believe, however that congress should buy the estate in the name of the government and throw 1t open 0 the public Always under the management of the Aid society a nominal charge for admittance has been made.
 Many of the visitors finger in the country about the old Washington home. Of course no one who knew the Washington family Is living but there plenty of descendants of the old families fin the neighborhood who delight to talk of the old days. The countryside has not changed much in 120 years. Many houses built while Washing ton alive still stand. Three miles south of Nit. Vernon the old Pohick (Episcopal) church in which Washington frequently w0rshiped Is still occupied by the Episcopal congregation. Within the last five years the interior of the old build ing has been restored and today visitors may look the decorations precisely as they were when Washington attended.
 Passing time has not served to take away any of the Washington atmosphere about the old city of Alexandria, seven miles south of the national capital and the road to Mt Vernon The first thing the writer is told Is that Washington "dId a lot for us." He established public school system" says the local guide, land he gave first fire department He always doing some thing for us." Foremost of the Washington show places in Alexandria is old Christ church, of which Washington was a member for some 40 years The church building of brick has been preserved unchanged. The pew that Washington occupied Is reserved every Sunday for strangers who may happen along at the service hour. The old sexton will be certain to relate numerous stories of the first President. He will, first of al tell you how Washington always came up from Mt Vernon on horseback. followed by his faith fuI black bOdyguard in a bright red uniforn how after services Washington likely to finger in the church-yard to talk with his country neigh bors and how it frequently necessary for