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the New World; the other incidentally, by prostrating the ancient fabrics of despotism in the Old and demonstrating the utter weakness of kings when unsupported by the confidence and affections of the people."

CHAPTER XVII.

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EFORE concluding this volume, it may not be inappropriate to notice the tomb and sarcophagus in which the mortal remains of Washington now rest. The new tomb at Mount Vernon was constructed about ten years ago, upon the site pointed out and especially selected by Washington himself, as mentioned in a preceding chapter of this work. "The will of this great man," says Mr. Strickland, in his 'Tomb of Washington," "with reference to the removal of the old family vault, has been most scrupulously complied with, through the agency of his then only surviving executor, Major Lawrence Lewis, the nephew and friend of the illustrious deceased.

"This structure consists simply of an excavation made partly in the side of a steep, sloping hill, which has a southern exposure upon a thickly-wooded dell. The walls are built of brick, and arched over at the

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THE NEW YORK, PUBLIC LIBRARY,

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

height of eight feet above the level of the ground. The front of the tomb-house is roughcast, and has a plain iron door, inserted in a strong freestone casement; over the door is placed a sculptured stone panel, upon which are inscribed these impressive words:

"1 AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; HE

THAT BELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE

WERE DEAD, YET SHALL HE LIVE.”

At a small distance from the walls of the tomb, on all sides, there is a surrounding enclosure of brick-work, elevated to a height of twelve feet, and guarded in front with an iron gateway, opening several feet in advance of the vault door. gateway is flanked with pilasters, surmounted by a stone cornice and coping, covering a pointed gothic arch, over which is sculptured, upon a plain slab, inserted in the brick-work:

This

"WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE REST THE REMAINS

OF GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON."

The sarcophagus, which now incloses the sacred dust of the Great Founder, owes its origin to the patriotism and public spirit of a mechanic of Philadelphia. Early in 1837, Major Lewis, surviving executor of Washington's will, applied to John

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