179 
I took also from this sacred spot a twig of a cypress tree. The 
tomb is no longer opened, since strangers have nearly cut to 
pieces the whole of the pall'Covering the coffin, in order to pre¬ 
serve it as a relic. It was last opened at the time of General La 
Fayette’s visit. 
Thence we went to the dwelling-house, about three hundred 
paces distant, and situated on a hill, from which there is an ex¬ 
tremely fine view of the Potomac. This estate belongs to 
Judge Washington, who, being absent upon business connected 
with his office the greatest part of the year, permits his inherited 
property to decay very much. He has no children. The house 
is two stories high, built of wood, and without taste. On the side 
next the river, it has a piazza, and on the other, is the entrance 
with stone steps, which are almost decayed. By means of a 
wooden colonade, the house communicates right and left with 
the wings and household buildings. Farther on, are houses for 
negro slaves, of whose dirty, ugly, and ragged children, we saw 
a great many running about. It being Sunday, we had much dif¬ 
ficulty in finding access to the house; at last we succeeded in get¬ 
ting into the lower story, which has been left nearly in the same 
condition it was at the decease of its great possessor. But the 
number of books belonging to the library, has been increased by 
many new works by the present proprietor. A great many fine 
engravings decorate the walls, especially a very handsome Louis 
XVI. which Washington was presented with by that unfortunate 
monarch. On the gilt frame above, are the arms of France, and 
below, those of Washington’s family. In the four corners are the 
cyphers of the king and G. W. There are also two very good 
engravings, representing the battle of Bunker’s Hill, and the 
death of General Montgomery; four views of the attack of Gib¬ 
raltar and its defence, and a miniature portrait of the great man 
painted on enamel. One of the keys of the Bastille, sent after its 
destruction by General La Fayette to Washington, is exposed in 
a case of glass, under it is a sepia drawing of the demolition of 
that prison. The furniture and other regulations of the rooms, are 
very plain; in the eating-room I observed a valuable chimney- 
piece of Italian marble, with handsome bas-reliefs, and two co¬ 
lumns of gallo-antico . 
It is known that when General La Fayette was visiting Wash¬ 
ington’s burial place, an eagle made his appearance in the air and 
hovered over the spot until the general had proceeded farther. We 
also observed to day a very large one, which seemed to observe 
us from the height; we saw him above us when we were em- 
r barking. He seemed to hover over the same spot for a long 
while, and when the last boat came near the steam-boat, he sud¬ 
denly left the place, flew towards the wood, and was lost to sight. 
