December, and ice began to grow thick in the coves and creeks of the
Potomac, Washington, enjoying a degree of robust health and vigor of
mind and body uncommon for men of his years and labors, was found still
engaged in his out-of-door employments, unmindful of the frosty air and
inclement weather. His whole aspect gave promise of many years of serene
old age. His nephew, Lawrence Lewis, was with him most of the time at
this period, and the family circle at Mount Vernon was full of joy,
contentment, and peace.

One frosty morning, Washington and his nephew walked out together, when
the former pointed out to the latter some of his projected improvements
near the mansion. Among other places, he showed him the spot where he
proposed to erect a new family burial-vault. He spoke of its form and
dimensions, and then said, "This change I shall make the first of all,
for I may require it before the rest."

"When I parted from him," said Major Lewis, in long-after years, "he
stood on the steps of the front door, where he took leave of myself and
another. He had taken his usual ride, and the clear, healthy flush on
his cheek, and his sprightly manner, brought the remark from both of us
that we had never seen the general look so well. I have sometimes
thought him decidedly the handsomest man I ever saw; and when in a
lively mood, so full of pleasantry, so agreeable to all with whom he
associated, I could hardly realize that he was the same Washington whose
dignity awed all who approached him."

Two or three days afterward, the weather changed. In his diary, under
date of December 11th, Washington noted that there was wind and rain;
and that at night, when the clouds had dispersed, there was "a large
circle around the moon." On the following day, a storm of snow set in at
one o'clock, P. M., which soon changed, first to hail, and then to rain.
Washington was caught out in it. As usual, he had been in the saddle
since ten o'clock in the morning, inspecting operations upon the
Mansion-house farm at various places, and returned in time for dinner at
three o'clock. Mr. Lear, his former private secretary, and who had, on
his appointment to the chief command of the army, resumed that post, was
now with him. He had just finished some letters, and given them to
Washington to frank, when he observed snow hanging to the general's hair
about his neck, and he expressed a fear that he might be wet. "Oh, no,"
Washington replied; "my great-coa