6 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
THE TOMB OF WASHINGTON, MT. VERNON. 
Although it had been my desire for many years 
to visit Mt. Vernon, the home of Washington and 
his last resting place, it was not until recently that 
the opportunity came to me. 
Many of the readers of PARK AND CEMETERY 
have been there and those who have not, know it 
is situated on the banks of the Potomac, about fif- 
teen miles below Washington; the electric car route 
from Washington, ensures an interesting ride though 
a pretty agricultural country, passing on the way 
through Alexandria, a place familiar to every one 
who lived in the stirring days of “the war.” Here 
it was that Col. Ellsworth was shot by an enthusi- 
astic admirer of the confederacy, and, as the cars 
passed through the town, many recollections of war 
times came crowding on me. Mt. Vernon can be 
reached by boat as well as by electric car, and in 
the days of summer the river route is a very popu- 
lar one. 
The grounds of Mt. Vernon are prettily situated. 
The mansion is on an eminence, sloping to the river, 
which appeared to me to sweep around it consider- 
ably, so that the water was visible at many points. 
The grounds do not contain trees or shrubs of va- 
riety. Planted so long ago, there is but little variety 
as we consider it to-day. Two very fine magnolia 
grandifloras stand on the southern side of the man- 
sion, and here and there about the grounds were 
some of the best Picea pinsapos I have seen in the 
country. This is a Spanish evergreen, which is 
barely hardy north of Philadelphia. There were, too, 
some very large trees of the Pacific coast evergreen, 
Libocedrus decurrens; and it was a pleasure to know 
that the lovely crape myrtle, Lagerstraemia indica, 
was perfectly at home there. 
A path from the mansion towards the river 
brings one to the face of a large natural woods, and 
here is situated the tomb of Washington. 
How it thrills one to gaze on the tomb of the illus- 
trious dead! It had been my desire for many a year 
to stand before the tomb of this great leader, whose 
sole desire through life had been the firm establish- 
ment of the independence of his country. When 
this was secured his work was done, and with no 
thought of self, he retired to Mt. Vernon. 
* Byron, in his “Ode to Napoleon,’’ pays the fol- 
lowing tribute to Washington: 
“Where may the wearied eye repose, 
When gazing on the Great; 
Where neither guilty glory glows, 
Nor despicable state? 
Yes — one — the first — the last— the best — 
“The Cincinnatus of the West, 
Whom envy dared not hate. 
Bequeath the name of Washington, 
To make man blush there was but one! - ’ 
It was with great pleasure I was able 
to secure the photograph of the tomb and 
its surroundings for the readers of this 
journal. 
It is beautifully situated. In its front 
is the woods spoken of, through which 
runs a winding path to the river. On 
the other side is the pleasure grounds, 
and about the vault are many specimens 
of native trees. 
The tomb on the right, to be seen 
through the enclosure, is that of Wash- 
ington, that on the left is of his wife. The tablet 
over the gate of the enclosure reads: 
“Within this Enclosure 
Rest 
the remains of 
Genl. George Washington.” 
Outside the vault the two columns are conspic- 
uous objects. The one on the left hand contains 
the following inscription: 
“His mortal remains are interred within the Vault, and this 
humble monument to his worth, His purity and unostentatious 
excellence in all the relations of Life is erected by his widow.” 
The right hand one reads: 
“This humble monument to the memory of the venerated 
Judge and his beloved Wife, is placed here by her Niece, the 
Widow of his Nephew, John A. Washington.” 
The vines which are entwining themselves about 
the vault are the Japanese and Virginia creepers on 
both sides. The large tree, the arm of which over- 
hangs the vault, is the black Walnut, Elm and 
Euonymus atropurpureus are also in view towards 
the left. Joseph Meehan. 
Tulips are cultivated in Constantinople, and 
there is a tulip festival there once a year in spring. 
Every palace, room, gallery, and garden is decor- 
ated with tulips of every kind. At night there are 
illuminations by colored lamps and Bengal fires. 
