The Home of Washington

Washington for it. The picture was presented to the lodge, and Mr. Williams received from that body the sum of fifty dollars "in consequence of the trouble he was at in going to and coming from Philadelphia." The artist expected to profit largely by the operation, in filling orders for copies. But the picture was so poor that copies were not called for, whereupon he asked the lodge for further compensation. It was refused. A copy of Williams's pic

ture is here given, from a photograph from the original, not as a likeness of the First President, for it is a caricature, but because it shows him in the full Masonic Regalia which he kept at Mount Vernon and used at Alexandria, the sash and apron of which was the one presented to him by Watson and Coussol, twelve years before, as mentioned on pages 168 and 169. The collar and ornaments

MASONIC PORTRAIT.

are those of a Past Master. On the back cf the portrait (which is yet in possession of the Lodge at Alexandria,) is the following inscription: "His Excellency, GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., President of the United States, aged 64. Williams. Pinxit ad vivum in Philadelphia, September 18, 1794."

HOUDON'S LIKENESS OF WASHINGTON.

The original plaster mold of Washington's face, by Houaon, and attached to the original clay model of the rest of the head

neck, shoulders and breast by the same artist, mentioned on page 176, is yet (1870,) at Mount Vernon, but being kept in a private room, few persons ever see it. A careful copy of the mask was made for the United States mint at Philadelphia, several years ago, where it is preserved with great care. To James Ross Snowden, Esq., late Superintendent of that Mint, I am indebted for a Photograph of the mask from which our engraving is made. It is undoubtedly the most accurate profile likeness of Washington, ever produced, as Houdon's statue at Richmond gives us the only correct portraiture of his person and costume. As such it is invaluable.

SHADOW PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON.

In connection with this profile I give another remarkable one which, according to well authenticated tradition, was made at Mount Vernon, from life. The story is that not long before the death of Washington, the shadow of his head in profile, and also that of his wife, was cast the natural size, by a strong light upon a wall, from which careful outlines were traced, transferred to paper and filled with color so as to produce perfect silhouette likenesses. This was doubtless done by that woman of genius, Mrs. Lawrence Lewis (Eleanor Parke Custis,) Washington's adopted daughter, in whose possession they were for more than thirty years, when she gave them to a friend. On the back of each is the following certifi

"The within are profiles of General and Mrs. Washington, taken from their shadows on a wall. They are as perfect like

nesses as profiles can give. Mrs. Eleanor Parke Lewis.

Presented to me by my friend,
Woodland, July, 1832.

ELIZABETH BORDLEY GIBSON."

I am indebted to John A. McAllister, Esq., of Philadelphia, for photographs from the originals. It will be observed that the outline of Washington's face in this shadow profile, is almost identical with that of the plaster mask by Houdon.

HOW THE MANSION AT MOUNT VERNON WAS FURNISHED.

To gratify the natural and laudable desire of every one who reveres the character of Washington, to know all that is proper about his domestic life, I give below a list of articles with which the mansion at Mount Vernon was furnished and adorned. It is copied from the inventory made by the sworn appraisers, after the death of Washington, with their estimated value of each article.