Year: 1870

Meeting of the Lady NtCe-HeReutS-fInns Tor


the Improvement of the Estate.


A correspondent of the New York Eoening
Post writes as follows


Mount Vernon possesses more than ordinary
attractions just now in consequence of the
meeting there of the vice-regents of the Mount
Vernon Association, a corps of talented women
who meet annually in council to devise ways
and means to keep up this home of the Father
of his Country, which has been confded to their
care.


A reception was given by the council on
Wednesday, the 22d-a royal day in June 1t was
too-cool and charming.


From the broad high porch of the house.
which runs across its front, we were ushered
into the grand banqueting hall, into the pre-
sence of the twelve vice-regents of the Mount
Vernon Association.


l doubt if more goodly array of matrons ever
graced that hall in the palmiest days of Mount
Vernon; if the Lees or the Custises or the Fair
faxes could show more beauty, elegance, or in
tellect.


During the war Mount Vernon was always
neutral ground, although frequently sur
rounded, first by one party, then by the other.
The regent, whose duty it is to call together the
council, was at her home in South Carolina;
many of the vice-regents were also In the South,
aud little could be or was done, further than to
keep the place from actual desolatiOn. Miss
Cunningham-who was the original protector
of the idea to purchase the estate and who pro-
badly has done more towards the payment for
it than any other womar-has come to live



pairing and renovatng it; but the income is
small and uncertain, coming principally from
the receipts of the boat, and from selling fruit,
vegetables, and milk. But this is too untrust-
worthy manner of supporting the establish
ment and estate, and the regent has called the
council to meet at the place, that they may see,
by personal inspection, the necessity of some
| great effort.


They hope to be able to rebuild the colon
nades between the house and the offices,
kitchen, ETC., in the original manner, to provide
| in some degree against fire, and to drain the
cellar, which is always partly full OF water.
After attending to these necessary repairs, they
! hope to be able 10 restore some OF the original
| furniture and ornaments or to replace them by
suitable ones. The rooms have been greatly
improved by little paint and thorough cleans
ing. Huge tenders have been placed over the
hearths and mantel-pieces to prevent their
further mutilation by relic hunters One of the
chambers the blue room, where 1T is said Gene
raj Lafayette slept has been furnished by the
| efforts of Mrs. Halsted, of New Jersey, who has
been unceasing in her labors. Her example has
inspired other vice-regents, who have pledged
themselves to furnish each room, and In this
way the eighteen bedrooms will soon have an
| inhabited aspect


They intend to make a great effort to pur-
chase the equestrian portrait of Washington
before Yorktown" which hangs in the Capitol.
This seems suitable picture for the Mount
| Vernon mansion, as 1t is not only an excellent
likeness of General Washington, but also of his
military family, five officers who accompanied
him on the memorable occasion. The picture
was painted by Rembrandt Peale, and now
hangs in the Capitol, although it still belongs to
the Peale family, who are anxious to sell it.


There are besides some family portraits oi
great interest scattered through the country
which should be collected and hung in their ole
places; and some very interesting relics which
would add much to the charm of the place
The veritable basket in which Mrs. Washington
carried her keys in those good old days, wher
every lady, no matter what her position, wai
her own housekeeper, and the medicine ches
from which she dispensed health to her family
and retainers, are In the possession of Vir
ginia family, who will consent to part will
them for consideration.