Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 [Vol. 1 of 2]Weld, Isaac
History
Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 [Vol. 1 of 2]
Weld, Isaac
Canada -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; United States -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
VIEW _of_ MOUNT VERNON _the seat of_ GEN. WASHINGTON
_Published Dec. 21. 1798, by J. Stockdale, Piccadilly._
]
[Sidenote: MOUNT VERNON.]
The Mount is a high part of the bank of the river, which rises very
abruptly about two hundred feet above the level of the water. The river
before it is three miles wide, and on the opposite side it forms a bay
about the same breadth, which extends for a considerable distance up the
country. This, at first light, appears to be a continuation of the
river; but the Patowmac takes a very sudden turn to the left, two or
three miles above the house, and is quickly lost to the view. Downwards,
to the right, there is a prospect of it for twelve miles. The Maryland
shore, on the opposite side, is beautifully diversified with hills,
which are mostly covered with wood; in many places, however, little
patches of cultivated ground appear, ornamented with houses. The scenery
altogether is most delightful. The house, which stands about sixty yards
from the edge of the Mount, is of wood, cut and painted so as to
resemble hewn stone. The rear is towards the river, at which side is a
portico of ninety-six feet in length, supported by eight pillars. The
front is uniform, and at a distance looks tolerably well. The dwelling
house is in the center, and communicates with the wings on either side,
by means of covered ways, running in a curved direction. Behind these
wings, on the one side, are the different offices belonging to the
house, and also to the farm, and on the other, the cabins for the
SLAVES[14]. In front, the breadth of the whole building, is a lawn with
a gravel walk round it, planted with trees, and separated by hedges on
either side from the farm yard and garden. As for the garden, it wears
exactly the appearance of a nursery, and with every thing about the
place indicates that more attention is paid to profit than to pleasure.
The ground in the rear of the house is also laid out in a lawn, and the
declivity of the Mount, towards the water, in a deer park.
Footnote 14:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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