a
great American University. In this, he wanted the young people to be
trained in the principles of true Americanism. He wanted the
intelligence of the country to guide its politics. It is unfortunate
that, to the present day, the university has not been founded, although
there is now every likelihood that such a National University will be
established in Washington and vast sums contributed to the fund
Washington had left for this purpose.

The site of the city of Washington was selected for the Federal Capital
in 1790, and ten years later, the seat of government was moved from
Philadelphia to Washington. President Washington himself headed the body
of commissioners who chose the site and arranged for the purchase of the
land. The city was named in his honor. It is beautifully laid out with
magnificent avenues, parks, fountains and stately buildings, and is one
of the finest and most comfortable cities in the world.

In the house at Mount Vernon, there was a little attic room, hot in
summer, bitter cold in winter. But its one window was the only one that
looked upon the tomb on the hillside, and so Mrs. Washington, after the
death of her husband, moved into this little room. Two and a half years
later, she died there and her body was laid beside that of Washington.

[Illustration: Washington's Tomb at Mount Vernon]

Years passed and the beautiful house began to fall into ruin. A new and
simple tomb was erected to Washington, but it also was neglected.
Nothing was done to restore Mount Vernon until the women of the country
bought the place. They rebuilt the walls and porches, brought back the
old furniture, planted vines about the tomb, and still keep it as
Washington would have wished, as a shrine for all to visit, where
respect can be paid to the memory of the "Father of his Country."

End of Project Gutenberg's George Washington, by Calista McCabe Courtenay

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GEORGE WASHINGTON ***

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