by a flight of steps, and over it he erected an elegant summerhouse, with a spire and iron vane in the form of a crescent. The well and the summer-house are there, but a part of the walls of the former have fallen in. From the summer-house fire views

of the Potomac may be obtained, but as the staircase leading to it has nearly rotted away, there is difficulty and some danger in climbing up into it over the chasm formed by the caving in of the side of the well. It was from that summer-house that the sketch was made of the mansion, out-buildings, and lawn, with the visitors, as they appear in the frontispiece to this volume.

I have before me a manuscript memorandum from the hand of Washington, in which he notes, in minute detail, the distances and directions in feet and inches, and by points of compass, of various objects, such as the garden-houses, the dial-post, and the dry-well, from the "front door of the mansion." It is interesting, as showing the extreme minuteness and accuracy with which Washington kept a record of all his operations, and might serve those who are about to restore Mount Vernon to its original form and perfection, as an indicator of points now lost through neglect and decay.

During the spring and summer of 1784, visitors flocked to Mount Vernon in great numbers. Many of the companions in arms of the beloved chief, of all grades, from general officers to private soldiers, went there to pay their respects, and enjoy once again sweet intercourse with him under whom they had always delighted to serve.

At length one came who was specially a man after Washington's own heart-a young man whom he loved as a son or a younger brother. He had been a friend to the Americans in their struggle for freedom, and was a friend of mankind. That visitor was the Marquis de Lafayette, a distinguished scion of an ancient noble family, who, in the summer of 1776, while at the table of the commandant of Mentz, in Germany, with other French officers, heard the Duke of Gloucester, brother to the King of England, speak of the Declaration of Independence just put forth by the Anglo-American colonies, and of the strong measures adopted by the British ministry to crush the rising rebellion. The marquis was then just past eighteen years of age, slender in form, and a boy in personal appearance. But the heart of a patriot and hero beat

beneath his coat of green, and his imagination and zeal were fired by the recital of the story of a people fighting for liberty. He returned to Paris full of high resolves, and leaving there an equally enthusiastic and a cheerfully consenting young wife -the rich and beautiful daughter of the Duke de Noailleshe came to America, volunteered to fight in the cause of colonial emancipation, and, throughout the war, performed services in the field here, and at the court of France, of inestimable benefit to the country. Life, youth, fortune, the endearments of home, were all freely devoted to the cause, and he made the aspirations of the Americans emphatically his own, with an enthusiasm that scorned all obstacles. "It is fortunate for the king," said the old Count Maurepas, "that Lafayette does not take it into his head to strip Versailles of its furniture to send to his dear Americans, as his majesty would be unable to refuse it."

Washington, governed by his intuitive perception of character, which never deceived him, took Lafayette to his bosom on his first arrival at Philadelphia, in 1777; and from that hour until death severed the bond, they were friends of truest character. And now, the intelligence that this dear friend was about to visit him in his quiet home at Mount Vernon gave Washington a most exquisite pleasure. The portrait of the marquis, painted by Charles Willson Peale, in 1778, was then hanging upon the wall of his parlor: it now occupies a prominent place among the works of art at Arlington House.

Lafayette arrived at New York on the 4th of August, 1784, after a passage of thirty-four days from France. There he received the congratulations of the citizens for a few days, and then hastened toward Mount Vernon. He was detained in Philadelphia two or three days, and there wrote as follows:

"PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday Evening.

"MY DEAR GENERAL:-I have already had the pleasure to acquaint you with my arrival in America, and am endeavoring to reach Mount Vernon as soon as possible. My first plan was only to stay here two days, but the affectionate reception I have met with in this city, and the returning some compliments to the Assembly, render it necessary for me to stay one day longer. On Friday I will be at the head of Elk, the next day at Baltimore, and by Sunday or Monday I hope at last to be blessed with a sight of my dear General. There is no rest for me until I go to Mount Vernon. I long for the pleasure to embrace you, my dear General, and the happiness of being once more with you will be so great that no words can ever express it. In a few days I will be at Mount Vernon, and I do already feel delighted with so charming a prospect. My best respects wait upon Mrs. Washington, and not long after you receive this I shall tell you myself how respectfully and affectionately I have the honor to be, my dear General,

"Your most obedient, humble servant,
"LAFAYETTE.

"In case your affairs call you to the Springs, I beg leave either to go there after you, or to accompany you in your journey."

Lafayette arrived at Mount Vernon on the 17th, and remained twelve days in the enjoyment of the most sincerc friendship and genuine hospitality. During that time Mount Vernon was crowded with other guests, who came to meet the great benefactor of America; and when he departed for Balti

more, quite a cavalcade of gentlemen accompanied him far on his way.

There was a bond of union, of peculiar strength, between Washington and Lafayette other than that of mere personal friendship. They were members of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, and both loved the mystic brotherhood sincerely. Madame Lafayette was deeply interested in every thing that engaged the attention of her husband; and she had learned to reverence Washington with a feeling closely allied to that of devotion. She had corresponded with him, and received from him cordial invitations to the simple delights of rural life at Mount Vernon. She had, no doubt, earnestly desired to present some visible testimonial of her regard to the