a VISIT TO MOUNT VERNON.
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WAsilISGTos, June 10, 1871.


HAVE u,t returned from visit Mount Vernon. and
surely there another spot beneath the circuit OF the
Sun so eemns with sublime and hol. associations TO
American The counry-scat OF Washington is about
fourteen miles below the city, upon the Virginia side OF t
Potomac and Immediately fronting that majestic stream


party of ladies and gentlemen LETT this place yesterday
upon an excursion thther and although would have pre-
ierred solitary pilgrimage to the tomb OF the sreaesl
beneacoi vouchsafed by Heaven the Human Race could
my anxiety be there, and accordingly lonee
them.


You approach the house upon the country side Abcu'
half mile from the venerable mansion, you enter the farm
stead through gate fanked by poriers lodges which
untenanted aud falling decay from the poverty o
the present owner You wisd your way through prneva
forests and hill and dale until you reach the outhouse
o the establishment Passing these you in front oi tho
twostUry dwelling, built o hewn logs put together As 10
appear like masonry and painted white From the gable
ends there covered ways of light architecture, forming
segments OF circle winch connect the main building WIFI
the Offices kitchens &c. which extend parallel lines and
right angles with the mansion, for fifty or more feet on
each side. The paraelogram thus formed is beautiful
plot OF blue grass with gravewalk around it. In the
sun-a Farther removed from the house, and
separated from the yard proper lovely lawn, around
which gravel walk, covered with oak and other in
dgenous upon each side of which extensive gar
dcns fenced i'll with brick walls On the right is flower
garden laid OFF the exquisite TASTE the walks rngc
with ancient box and the beds blooming with every
OF native plants. Attached extensive ho-houSc-Oncc
filled with exotcS and tropical shrubs There
many left now; but of the few remaining is lemonrec,
planted by General Washington himself and in full bleom
when | it, The old servant who pointed it out to us
guarded the charmed blossoms with religious zeal Though
he po.sc his gifts the ladies of and other
flowers he would suffer leaf be from this relic
of the mighty dead 1t enough to look upon ii; and
there of company who felt disposed 10 dc



Returning from the garden the old mansion has mos
vcnerablc aspect 1t Surmoun,cd 10y bcy-an appcn
dagc fashionable Virginia In the passage is hung
up the key of the BaS,ie which prescHied Washing
when that famous prison demolished The old fur
used by General Washington YET remains in the house
which furnished in the ineri with much and chsel
ed work From the door fronting the river you have mos
extensive and grand view OF the Potomac, up and down
The country, though poor picturesque the extreme AND
the broad bosom of the Potomac rejecting the hills of the
shore of Maryland presents lovely and grand


spectacle the IcpoSed upon From the door
yop walk upon piazza the whole length OF the house
the floor stone that upon the front 1t covered
by roof upon the top of which balcony of ancient
sructon, supported by eight square pillars of pine This
General WaShngtons Chief promenade where he used
10 the rising with heart rejoicing the Liberties
OF his country by his sword and where he wont
recruit his health by and the aborS OF civic fame
with gentle and refreshing exercise From the piazza you
step upon another and beautiful lawn sopng gently
10 the brow of the steep bank that overmngs the river A.
side of tins and Immediately upon cliff, is
merhouSc also surmounied BY belfry which Washing
passed the heat OF the dav From the
has noble appearance Down the sides of the
cliff the natural growth OF oak and tangc wood remains
kom time immemoria Standing this retreat and look
ing down towards the house, the are sratifed with
the achievements of smoothing the rugged front of ma
;urc and gazing towards the the glation is excited
by the noble OF prospects.


Within stones throw of the summerhouse to the left and
upon the brow Of the cliff there small vault CONSTRUCT
cd Of stone the arch covered with soil in which
cedars and FIR have taken root III which until within
few wears the remains OF Washington found ting
place There is nothing Of external grandeur challenge
the attention OF the passer The spot seemed
ted TO silence 1t overhung the mighty upon which its
mouderng loved look and where he should have
been allowed TO remain until the trump OF the Achange
summoned him again life You would have selected that
spot from the of the world for his grave There Is
something grand in the location natural awe almost
designated 1t place of ntereni for the great few
since the late Bushrud Washington erected family
vault about hundred yard, the of the old
In this the remains OF General Washington removed
IN 1887 The vault Is above ground and of considera-
ble extent /, is divided into apartments In the front
Is double gue OF IRON through the bar, OF which arr
two marble SarcoPhasi. The the right Of the gate