Mount Vernon and its associations, historical, biographical and pictorial . iStD bl-Li^iBAD AVHlCli WASHINGTON DIED. Tlie bedstead is made of mahogany, and was manufacturedin New York in 1789. It is remarkable for its size, being sixfeet square. It Avas in constant use in the bed-chamber ofGeneral and Mrs. Washington, from the time of its manufac-ture until his death. The bed and bedding remain in precisely 324 MOUNT VERNON the same condition as when Washinj^ton was borne from hischamber to his tomb. The room in which Washington died has seldom been seenby visitors at Mount Vernon. Wh
Mount Vernon and its associations, historical, biographical and pictorial . iStD bl-Li^iBAD AVHlCli WASHINGTON DIED. Tlie bedstead is made of mahogany, and was manufacturedin New York in 1789. It is remarkable for its size, being sixfeet square. It Avas in constant use in the bed-chamber ofGeneral and Mrs. Washington, from the time of its manufac-ture until his death. The bed and bedding remain in precisely 324 MOUNT VERNON the same condition as when Washinj^ton was borne from hischamber to his tomb. The room in which Washington died has seldom been seenby visitors at Mount Vernon. While enjoying the hospitali-ties of the late proprietor for two or three days, I was permit-ted to enter and sketch it. It was used as a jirivate chamberby the heads of the family. Empty, it presents the sameappearance it did at Washingtons death, and so I delineatedit. Two doors open from it into other chambers, and one tostairs that lead to the £ WHICH WASHINGTON DIED. As I stood alone in that death-chamber of the illustriousWashington, fancy seemed to fill it with those who occupied iton Saturday night, the 14tli of December, 1799, mentioned ina memorandum by Mr. Lear. On the bed lay the great manat the sublime moment of his death. Near the l)ed stood MrLear and Dr. Craik. Mrs. Washington was sitting near thefoot of the bed. Christopher was standing near the bedsideCaroline, Molly, and Charlotte (house-servants) were in theroom, s^tanding near the door. Mrs. Forbes, the housekeeper, AND ITS ASSOCIATIONS. 325 was in the room likewise. And as I stood there, delineatingthe simple outlines of that chamber, tlie words of Wallacecame vividly to my memory : There is an awful stillness in the skyWhen, after wondrous deeds and light supreme,A star goes out in golden is an awful stillness in the world,When, after wondrous deeds and light supreme,A hero dies with all the future clearBefore him, and his voice made jubilant
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