"After a voyage of two hours, the guns of Fort Washington announced that we were approaching the last abode of the Father of his country. At this sol he made several attempts to speak to me | written by his companion and secretary, before he could effect it; at length he Levasseur:said: 'I am just going. Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the vault in less than two days after I am dead.' I bowed assent. He looked at me again and said, 'Do you under-emn signal, to which the military band stand me?' I replied, Yes sir.' 'Tis well,' said he. About ten minutes before he expired, his breathing became much easier: he lay quietly: he with drew his hand from mine, and felt his own pulse. I spoke to Dr. Craik, who sat by the fire: hn came to the bedside. The general's hand fell from his wrist; I took it in mine, and placed on my breast. Dr. Craik placed his hands over his eyes; and he expired without a sigh." Washington's Tomb is a simple structure of stone, only the front of which is visible, the other parts being covered with the earth of a small sandhill which was excavated, and the surface of which was left covered with dwarf cedars and a few other trees with which it was naturally shaded. The whole is concealed from the view of the passer-by, by a neat and substantial stone wall of considerable height, with a gate, over which is a slab bearing this inscription: "Washington Family." The surrounding scene is left nearly in the state of nature. The irregular surface of the ground and the numerous trees exclude the sight of every distant object; and there is nothing in view to disturb the mind, in the solemn and impressive reflections which naturally arise within it. Although the Potomac flows by at a short distance from the spot, and was in full view from near the door of the original tomb, every glimpse of it is shut out from this, and not a single sound intrudes to interrupt the solitude. Few visiters to the spot obtain an entrance into the tomb, or even through the gate. The stone coffin, which contains the ashes of the venerable occupant, is engraved with the arms of the United States, and the simple name of Washington." 66 The following description of General La Fayette's visit to the old tomb, was accompanying us responded by plaintive strains, we went on deck, and the venerable soil of Mount Vernon was before us. At this view, an involuntary and spontaneous movement made us kneel. We landed in boats, and trod upon the ground so often trod by the feet of Washington. A carriage received General La Fayette, and the other visiters silently ascended the precipitous path which conducted to the solitary habitation of Mount Vernon. In re-entering beneath this hospitable 100f, which had sheltered him when the reign of terror tore him¦ violently from his country and family, George La Fayette felt his heart sink within him, at no more finding him whose paternal care had softened his misfortunes; while his father sought with emotion for everything which reminded him of the companion of his glorious toils. "Three nephews of General Wash ington took La Fayette, his son, and myself, to conduct us to the tomb of their uncle; our numerous companions remained in the house. In a few minutes the cannon, thundering anew, announced that La Fayette rendered homage to the ashes of Washington. Simple and modest as he was during life, the tomb of the citizen-hero is scarcely perceived among the sombre cypresses by which it is surrounded. A vault, slightly elevated and sodded over a wooden door without inscriptions-some-withered and green garlands, indicate to the traveller, who visits the spot, where rest in peace the puissant arms which broke the chains of his country. As we approached, the door was opened. La Fayette descended alone into the vault, and a few minutes after reappeared with his eyes overflowing with tears. took his son and me by the hand, and led us into the tomb, where, by a sign, he indicated the coffin. We knelt reverentially, and rising, threw ourselves He into the arms of La Fayette, and mingled our tears with his." WILLIAMSBURG, though a small place, is the oldest incorporated town in the state, and was formerly the capital. It is fifty-eight miles from Richmond, and sixty-eight from Norfolk. It has three churches, a magazine, two seminaries, the eastern lunatic asylum, and William and Mary college. The number of in habitants is about two thousand. The Statue of Lord Botetourt stands in the square, which retains a portion of its original beauty, though much mutilated, having been a good specimen of sculpture. He was one of the first judges of the colony. It was erected in 1774, at the expense of the colony. William and Mary College.-This was the first literary institution of the higher kind in Virginia, having been founded in 1692, under the reign of the sovereigns whose name it bears. They were its liberal benefactors, granting it twenty thousand acres of land as an endowment. There are five professors, about one hundred students, and about four thousand volumes in its libraries. The institution embraces a law department. The commencement is held on the 4th of July. This institution is the oldest of that name in the Union, with the single exception of Harvard university, but was long kept as a mere grammar school. Many of its graduates have been among the most distinguished men in the state and nation. Some of the books in the library bear the name of Robert Dinwiddie and his coat-of-arms, with his motto: "Ubi libertas, ibi patria." Among the most valuable works is Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Banks, two volumes folio, English and French-printed in 1754. The first building was erected in 1793, in Williamsburg; but it was not until some important changes were made in the plan of the institution, that it began to assume the character of a college. The two professorships in divinity and that for Latin and Greek, established in 1692, were substituted by professorships in other departments. Among the six formerly existing was one for the instruction and conversion of the Indians, founded by Mr. Boyle, of England. The Old Capitol.-A few fragments only now remain of the building known as "the capitol." This, however, was not the first edifice erected for the capitol of the colony, which was consumed by fire in 1746. Its successor also was burned in 1832, and that is the one whose remains are to be seen. Within its walls some interesting incidents occurred. There Washington received, in his youth, an expression of the thanks of the colonial legislature, on his return from the French war, from the lips of Mr. Robinson, the speaker, who complimented him in such high terms, that, with characteristic modesty, he blushed, trembled, and stammered-unable to return a distinct answer. To relieve his embarrassment, the speaker kindly said: "Sit down, Mr. Washington; your modesty is equal to your valor, and that surpasses the power of any language that I possess." In the same building, Patrick Henry made his first public speech before the house of burgesses; and although in a coarse dress, and with the air of "an obscure and unpolished rustic," he astonished the aristocratic members of the chamber, by his vigorous eloquence. The old Raleigh Tavern is still to be seen, distinguished by a bust of Sir Walter Raleigh over the door. It is the place in which some of the most important committees of the legislature used to meet in the Revolutionary days; and there is said to have been first conceived and proposed, by Henry Lee and his associates, the system of correspondence which was carried on with so much success during the wat. Lord Dunsmore's Palace.-Two small buildings may be seen, which are the remains of the edifice occupied by Lord Dunsmore, the last royal governor of Virginia. They stand in a small court, which formed part of the extensive grounds which surrounded his mansion, and then embraced three hundred and sixty acres. There he maintained a splendid style of living; but, being opposed to the rising spirit of the people |