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—————— ms HisTORIC) GARDENS OF ViIReUNTA are so indelibly impressed upon our minds that their peculiarities of shape and form cling to our memories. In this way the American people must always picture George Washington as the dignified statesman, in full suit of richest black velvet, with diamond kneebuckles, and square silver buckles set upon shoes polished with the most scrupulous neatness, black silk stockings, ruffles at breast and wrists, his hair profusely powdered and projecting at the sides, tied at the back with a large bow of black ribbon. But in writing a description of Mount Vernon, we must go back to him as he first became its owner; a young man, a young engineer, tall, rather large-boned, with deep-brown hair, his face rather long and slightly marred by illness, a sunburnt complexion. A young man, sensible, composed and thoughtful, gentle in manner, in temper reserved, a total stranger to religious prejudices, in morals irreproachable, a young man of determined bravery and independence of spirit. For such a man was Washington when he became the owner of Mount Vernon, at twenty years of age, in 1752. Later his young wife of great charm came with her two little children, a boy of six and a girl of four. Then there were the four little children of John Park Custis and his wife, Eleanor Calvert. Two of these children, Eleanor and George Washington Custis, were brought up at Mount Vernon by General and Mrs. Washington, who took charge of them after the death of their father, the girl being at the tender age of two years and the boy only six months; in fact, there were ten children born or reared at Mount Vernon. Later came Washington’s nephew, LaFayette Washing-. ton, who was entrusted to the General on the death of his father; also, young George Washington LaFayette stayed at Mount Vernon. Later came Washington’s nephew, LaFayette Washingimprisonment at Olmuts by the Prussians. Let us, therefore, have before us in memory’s picture a Vitrginian, young and vigorous, his gentle wife, and the little children always playing around them. Let us forget the lace and frills and seek a kinder view of the great man and great woman. Besides L190]
