and Alexandria, as well as the neighbors of the deceased for many miles around, thronged the parlors and halls.

"Mount Vernon Guards of Alexandria,' the 'Associ ation of the Survivors of the War of 1812 of the District of Columbia,' a delegation of the 'Jamestown Society of the District,' field and staff officers of the volunteer-regiment, and the Washington light-infantry, with their banners and fine martial music, and a delegation of the officers of the President's mounted guard, all travelled a distance of six miles to unite in the solemn testimonials of respect.

"The pall-bearers appointed were, William W. Seaton, Philip R. Fendall, Cassius F. Lee, Bushrod W. Hunter, Henry Dangerfield, and William B. Randolph.

"The religious services were conducted in an impressive manner by the Rev. C. B. Dana, of Christ church, Alexandria, according to the usages of the Protestant Episcopal church.

"The interment took place in a beautiful grove a short distance from the mansion, after which all retired in silence. The occasion awakened touching reminiscences of many pleasant days spent at the celebrated 'Spring of Arlington.'"*

*The Arlington spring already mentioned, as the place of the annual sheepshearing, was, for many years, a point of great resort for picnic-parties from Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria; and a small boat, used for conveying parties thither, was named "G. W. P. CUSTIS." It was estimated that at some seasons, from fifteen to twenty thousand people visited the spring on such occasions. Around the spring is a beautiful shaded lawn; and the generous proprietor, ever ready to give happiness to others, erected a wharf for the public accommodation, a storeroom, kitchen, dining-hall sixty feet in length, and a saloon of the same dimensions for dancing in. No spiritous liquors were permitted to be sold there, and visiters were not allowed there on the sabbath. All that he asked in return, was good behavior, and a reciprocation of the kind feeling which made every class of respectable citizens cordially welcome.

The death of Mr. Custis produced a marked sensation throughout the country. He was universally known, beloved, and honored, as the "child of Mount Vernon;" and everywhere the press paid the tribute of most profound respect to his memory. "For several years," said the National Intelligencer, in noticing his death, “he had stood alone in his relations to the Father of his Country, ever anxious, with filial reverence and affection, to illustrate his character, and from the rich stores of his neverfailing memory, to bring forward an annual tribute to his immortal worth. Known and honored by his fellowcountrymen, his departure will awaken universally a profound regret.

"Born amid the great events of the Revolution, by the death of his father (Colonel Custis, of the army, and a son of Mrs. Washington by a former marriage), which occurred near the close of the war, he found his home during childhood and youth at Mount Vernon, where his manners were formed after the noblest models; and from the great worthies of that period, frequent guests there, he received impressions of wisdom and patriotism that were never effaced. Under the counsels of Washington he pursued his classical studies at Princeton, and when deprived by death of his great guide and father (and soon after of his revered grandmother), he devoted himself to literary and agricultural pursuits on his ample estate of Arlington.

"Mr. Custis was distinguished by an original genius for eloquence, poetry, and the fine arts; by a knowledge of history, particularly the history of this country; for great powers of conversation, for an ever-ready and generous hospitality, for kindness to the poor, for patriotism,

72

MEMOIR OF GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKE CUSTIS.

for constancy of friendship, and for a more than filial devotion to the memory and character of Washington. His early speeches on the death of General Lingan and the overthrow of Napoleon were everywhere read and admired, even by those who dissented from the sentiments, for the beauty of their conception and their impassioned eloquence. Those familiar with the columns of this journal will not forget how largely we, and the country, are indebted to the warm and ever-cheerful spirit of the deceased for many invaluable reminiscences of Revolutionary history, of the distinguished men of those times, and especially of the private life of their glorious chief in the retirement of the shades of his home at Mount Vernon.

"Thousands from this country, and from foreign lands, who have visited Arlington to commune with our departed friend, and look upon the touching memorials there treasured up with care, of him who was first in the hearts of his countrymen, will not forget the charm thrown over all by the ease, grace, interest, and vivacity of the manners and conversation of him whose voice, alas! is silent now. The multitudes of our fellow-citizens accustomed, in the heat of summer, to resort to the shades of Arlington, will hereafter miss that old man eloquent, who ever extended to them a warm-hearted welcome and became partaker of their joy."

In stature, Mr. Custis was of medium height, and wellformed; his complexion fair and somewhat florid; his eyes light and expressive of great kindliness of nature; his voice full, rich, and melodious; his deportment grace ful and winning; his courtesy to strangers extremely cor dial; and his affection for his friends, warm and abiding.

CORRESPONDENCE

BETWEEN

WASHINGTON AND CUSTIS.

PHILADELPHIA, 15th November, 1796.

DEAR WASHINGTON: Yesterday's mail brought me your letter of the 12th instant, and under cover of this letter you will receive a ten-dollar bill, to purchase a gown, &c., if proper. But as the classes may be distinguished by a different insignia, I advise you not to provide these without first obtaining the approbation of your tutors; otherwise you may be distinguished more by folly, than by the dress.*

It affords me pleasure to hear that you are agreeably fixed; and I receive still more from the assurance you give of attending closely to your studies. It is you yourself who is to derive immediate benefit from these. Your country may do it hereafter. The more knowledge you acquire, the greater will be the probability of your succeeding in both, and the greater will be your thirst for more.

I rejoice to hear you went through your examination

* Young Custis, was a student in Princeton college, New Jersey, at that time, and Washington, then president of the United States, was residing in Philadelphia, that being the federal city.

with propriety, and have no doubt but that the president has placed you in the class which he conceived best adapted to the present state of your improvement. The more there are above you, the greater your exertions should be to ascend; but let your promotion result from your own application, and from intrinsic merit, not from the labors of others. The last would prove fallacious, and expose you to the reproach of the daw in borrowed feathers. This would be inexcusable in you, because there is no occasion for it; forasmuch, as you need nothing but the exertion of the talents you possess, with proper directions, to acquire all that is necessary; and the hours allotted for study, if properly improved, will enable you to do this. Although the confinement may feel irksome at first, the advantages resulting from it, to a reflecting mind, will soon overcome it.

Endeavor to conciliate the good will of all your fellowstudents, rendering them every act of kindness in your power. Be particularly obliging and attentive to your chamber-mate, Mr. Forsyth; who, from the account I have of him, is an admirable young man, and strongly impressed with the importance of a liberal and finished education. But above all, be obedient to your tutors, and in a particular manner respect the president of the seminary, who is both learned and good.

For any particular advantages you may derive from the attention and aid of Mr. Forsyth, I shall have a disposition to reward. One thing more and I will close this letter. Never let an indigent person ask, without receiving something, if you have the means; always recollecting in what light the widow's mite was viewed.

Your grandmother, sister, and all here are well, and