Historic Gardens of Virginia 



clubs owe a vote of deepest appreciation to the Mount Vernon 

 Ladles' Association, which has preserved not only the home and its 

 belongings, but these magnificent evergreens in their now perfect 

 condition. 



Numerous trees and shrubs were here planted by distinguished 

 visitors. A charming custom which has always prevailed in foreign 

 lands, and might be well emulated. The Mount Vernon trees are 

 such beautiful, leafy monuments to Thomas Jefferson, General 

 LaFayette, and others. Surely, these green mementoes of living 

 men are more splendid than the carved stone and molded bronze 

 marking their last resting place. 



In an old book, it is claimed that the designs in house and 

 garden at Mount Vernon were all Masonic, and while this is not 

 in V^ashington's own diary, it does have some foundation in the 

 designs themselves. As he was the leading Mason of the time, and 

 a very enthusiastic member of that order, it seems only just that 

 we should at least see what grounds there are for this belief. The 

 circle before the front door represents a point within a circle, or, 

 as the Masons say, "God is a sphere whose center is everywhere, 

 and circumference nowhere." The twenty-four circle posts are the 

 twenty-four hours of the day. These posts are bound together by 

 a chain which stands for Time. The locust post in the center, 

 with the dial atop, represents the sun, the source of time. The 

 mounds at the entrance symbolize a newly-made grave — willows 

 being substituted for the acacia, the Masonic emblem of sorrow. 

 I will not touch on the Masonic emblems in the house, as they are 

 too numerous. But in the garden we find the picket fence, with 

 twenty-six in each section, which stands for the twenty-six weeks' 

 progress of the sun to the north, and then twenty-six towards the 

 south, or evolution and growth. The urns on top of the section 

 stand for sacrifice and purification. The circular flower-beds are the 

 fourth part of a circle, or ninety degrees. The square beds are the 

 Knight Templar Cross, with camouflage. This cross stands for 

 universal wisdom and consecration. 



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