24 



combined were his sentiments^ taste and principles^ 

 that in private as in public life, his example will 

 descend to unnumbered generations, as the brighest 

 ever bequeathed by man to man. 



Imagination might carry those of us who have 

 visited the hero's tomb, to that sequestered and 

 beautiful garden with its nursery of rare exotics and 

 tropical fruits — the classic arrangements of its box- 

 wood and hawthorn hedge, and the simple but chaste 

 display of every flower and plant which wealth or 

 fancy could procure. — There upon this seat sat 

 Washington w^hen the storm and batde was over, 

 and refreshed his spirit and elevated his thoughts 

 by the culture and contemplation of his garden — 

 beside him was her, the chosen and beloved consort 

 and companion of his life — like him in the noble 

 but gentler attributes of her mind, fitted to be the 

 sharer of his glory and repose. — Around them bloom- 

 ed the gifts of every clime, from the rose and fragrant 

 coffee shrub of Java to the night budding Cereus 

 of Mexico. 



The seat still remains, but the patriot sleeps at 

 the foot of that garden by the side of his fond asso- 

 ciate and exalted partner, — wild flow^ers and the 

 evergreen are blooming over them, in token of the 

 renewal and immortality of the glorious dead. — And 

 when summer comes — there the birds sing sweetly, 

 and like angels' voices, do they tell of happiness, 

 harmony and peace. 



