MOUNT VERNON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12064, 20 July 1917, Page 8

MOUNT VERNON.

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S HOUSE. One nf the most interesting places to visit, in nil the United States is the old homo of George Washington, at Mount Vernon, near Washington, D.C. It is a lovely trip for a. spring day, when Washington's flower beds .ire gay with scarlet and red tulips and the along the river are fluffing out in tender green. There are two ways by which one, may journey from the capital city to Blount. Vernon, but by all moans choose the river. Leaving behind the domes and spires of the city, with the Washington .Monument towering ov-'-r nil, it is only a short sail over the brown waters of the- Potomac to the point where one. may see, high perched upon a. bluff a long, low. white mansion. which is famous the world over as the loved homo of Washington. _ The way leading up from the little river dock Ls sM n p and green, smelling sweet, and fresh of the spring. All about the house stretch wide lawns, reaching down to the clumps of trees on the edge of the bluff. High and majestic in its lofty position stands th-; old-fashioned wooden mansion, with eight high and plain pillars holding up the roof of the broad verandah. Tt is ninety-six feet long, and its wide-open doors and many windows give it a. delightfully hospitable air—just that, impression which the owners of these southern mansions loved to create about them. _ Tt was Lawrence Washington, George's half-brother, who owned the estate, anil named it Mount Vernon, out of the respect which ho felt for Admiral Vernon, under ,whom he had served in the rSritish Xavy. The middle part of the house was built by this Lawrence Washington, who was living at. Mount Vernon when George was a little boy: but it was George "Washington himself who added the two wings of the house, after the estate became his property in the year 1702. In 1859. a. groun of patriotic women, who railed themselves the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, bousht the house and 200 acres adjoining it. They restored the house to as nearlv as possible the appearance it had in the great days, collecting as much of tho old furniture as they could. Now the place will always he secured to the American people, who delight in making pilgrimages to this home ol their great first President.

W itliin tho house is spacious, having n. beautiful wide hall and a stately stairway. Just close your eyes halfway, and vow will find nothing simpler than to imagine that vou see Mrs Washington and Nellie. ' Custis, perhaps, sweeping down the stairs iu their stiff and rustling silks, while the Gentlemen of the partv await them at the foot, bowing, tall and elegantlv heruffled and hepowderod. There is the long banquet-room, with its polished mahogany tabic; there is the music room, and other fnmilv living rooms—all furnished with splendid furniture, much of which belonged to the house, in ashington s day. Ihe ceilings are high and finely decorated, there are polished floors and mirrors, which ourc> reflected historic :.ceuos. Upstairs are picturesque bedrooms their windows under vho roof of Ihc verandah looking out. upon the lawn with its trees which Washington planted, and beyond upon a glimpse of thriver at its hen'l. Far up in the third storey, under the eaves, is the dear little bedroom which Martha Washington used, a tiny nook, with .1 four-poster, a diminutive washstand air! chintz-hung square, windows.

Once out, of doors again, there is much more to see- the"detached kitch?n fjom which Washington's slaves carried the food s f earning hot into the house, the various farm buildings airl tho neat, little cabins in which lived Washington'* black servants, the coach house in which is the identical polished h.igh-swung carriage in which. Washington and his family sometimes drovint. Last of all--and far and awiy the loveliest—w .Martlu: Washington's oh! garden. no~tv as neatly tended as ever it could have beer in its prouder days. Hedges therr are and narrow gravel paths, -hhl trim. Kiuaro flowerbeds 'which, in the .summor season, blossom forth in all the sweetest smelling, gayly coloured of old-fashioned flowers, hollyhocks and sweetwilliams, poppies, asters and sunflowers, and many more, all in their soason. It is a perfect eighteenth century garden, and one can think how proud nrist Martha Washington hive felt- ar she promenaded about, showing it off io her distinguished guests. Perhaps, before you make your way back to tho river steamer, there will be. a. fetv spare minntns to drop down upon tho grass, on the lawn in frontof the old mansion. Tho ground, will feel warm under you, even if It is still early sprir.g: there, will be birds singing, a little breeze iust: cooling enough to prevent the day from being too. hot. A T ery fair w.ill bo the prospect ,iut over the river, very restful and lovely the famous mansion, its stately surroundings. You will ho sorry when vo'.i heir a warning whistle from the steamboat below, and you an- obliged to go hick to the city