men, women and children of the land, who have contributed in ever so slight a degree to its purchase. It is to be theirs. and their posterity's forever. Nothing now remains for the Association to do, but to obtain a sum fully equal to that of the purchase money, for the complete restoration and future support of the estate, and a general supervision of its management. This, American women will speedily accomplish, for the heart of the nation beats in unison with their own.

We have now considered some of the most interesting of the past associations of Mount Vernon, connected with the illustrious man whose character has in a degree sanctified them all. But there are other associations that cluster around Washington and his home, in the presence of which these material things sink into utter insignificance. They are of a moral nature, and belong not only to the Past but to all the Future.

It is delightful to contemplate the character of Washington in its relation to the events in which he was immediately engaged, for it presents a most noble example; but far more delightful and profitable is it, to contemplate him with that broader vision which discerns his relation to all people and to all time—to regard him as the fulfilment of the heart-prophiecies of earnest lovers of freedom in the past; born, nurtured, developed, disciplined, and inspired, to lead a great people out of bondage, and to be forever a sublime model of a PATRIOT for the contemplation of generations yet to appear. We should become habituated thus to think of him, and learn to love the spirit which led him to the performance of great deeds, rather than the deeds themselves.

Such contemplations of Washington are not incompatible with a sober reverence for material things with which he was

intimately associated; and especially should we cherish as precious memorial treasures, the HOME that he loved, and the TOMB wherein his remains repose. These may excite the mind to loftier views of the Pater Patriæ, and inspire sentiments such as filled the soul of the Rev. William Jay, of Eng land, who, on seeing a picture of Mount Vernon, wrote im promptu

"There dwelt the MAN the flower of human kind,
Whose visage mild bespoke his noble mind.

There dwelt the SOLDIER who his sword ne'er drew
But in a righteous cause to freedom true.

There dwelt the Hero, who ne'er fought for fame,

Yet gained more glory than a Cæsar's name.
There dwelt, the STATESMAN, who, devoid of art,
Gave soundest counsels from an upright heart.

And oh! Columbia, by thy sons caressed,

There dwelt THE FATHER of the realms he blessed.
Who no wish feit to make his mighty praise,
Like other chiefs, the means himself to raise,
But there, retiring, breathed in pure renown,
And felt a grandeur that disdained a crown.”

BOSTSCRIPT

THE ENGLISH HOME OF WASHINGTON'S FAMILY.

Since the foregoing pages were written, many facts and things having a relation to the HOME OF WASHINGTON have been presented to the consideration of the writer. To make this reliquary of the Father of his Country more complete, these are here added.

On the earlier pages of this work, allusion is made to the Northamptonshire branch of the Washington family, from whom our illustrious countryman was descended. Recent investigations by the Rev. J. M. Simpkinton of Brington, England, and others, have brought to light some new and

THE WASHINGTON HOUSE, BRINGTON.

interesting facts concerning that family. Mr. Simpkinton believes that he has satisfactory evidence to show that a certain house in Brington, is the one in which lived Lawrence Washington, father of Lawrence and John who emigrated to Virginia in 1657. The family appears to have been in reduced circumstances, and went from Sulgrave to Brington because of their relationship to Lord Spencer of that County. They were also allied to the second George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, whose half-sister and William, a brother of the emigrants to America, had been united in wedlock. Another brother, Thomas, was the "Mr. Washington" mentioned on page 28.

INSCRIPTION OVER THE DOOR OF THE WASHINGTON HOUSE.

Over the door of the ancient house in Brington, identified as that of Lawrence Washington, is a square stone bearing this inscription--" THE LORD GIVETH, THE LORD TAKETH AWAY, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD. CONSTRUCTA, 1606." This pious inscription, quite common in such relation in those

days, is accounted for by the fact which the Parish Register reveals, that Lawrence and Margaret Washington, (who had seventeen children,) had a child given to them and taken away the year when the house was built. In the Parish Church of Brington may be seen the monumental slab of Lawrence Washington, on which are the family arms, as seen in the picture of a seal on page 31.

WASHINGTON'S LIBRARY.

The Library at Mount Vernon mentioned on page 16, is no longer there. It was the private property of John A. Washington, from whom the "Ladies Mount Vernon Association" purchased the estate, and was taken by him to his new home. Every other movable relic of Washington, pictured and described in this volume, and which then remained at Mount Vernon, was taken away at the same time, excepting the key of the Bastile (page 237), pack-saddle (page 53), bust of Lafayette (page 244), a large globe, and the original plastercast from Washington's face, made by Houdon, with the attached model mentioned on page 176. In the year 1860, the harpsichord presented by Washington to Nelly Custis (page 282), was sent back to Mount Vernon by her daughterin-law, as a gift to the proprietors. The tripod that bore Washington's Compass when he was a Surveyor in his youth and mature age, has also been deposited there.

Mr. Washington was on the Staff of General Robert E. Lee, and perished at an early period of the late Civil War. His wife is also dead; and the books of the Mount Vernon Library have been separated and scattered. To give the reader a knowledge of the contents of that Library, I subjoin a cata