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was little water; but the force with which the steam escaped, produced a white column of spray and vapour, at least sixty feet high. They enjoyed this astonishing and beautiful sight until seven o'clock, when it gradually disappeared.

The remaining part of the morning was occupied in examining the environs of the Geysers; and at every step they received some new gratification. Following the channel which had been formed by the water escaping from the great basin during the eruptions, they found several beautiful and delicate petrifactions. The leaves of birch and willow were seen converted into white stone, and in the most perfect state of preservation, every minute fibre being entire. Grass and rushes were in the same state, and also masses of peat. Several of these rare and elegant specimens were brought safely to Great Britain. On the outside of the mount of the Geyser, the depositions, owing to the splashing of the water, are rough and have been justly compared to the heads of cauliflowers. They are of a yellowish brown colour, and are arranged around the mount, somewhat like a circular flight of steps. The inside of the basin is comparatively smooth; and the inatter forming it is more compact and dense than the exterior crust; when polished it is not devoid of beauty, being of a gray colour, mottled with black and white spots and streaks. The white incrustation formed by the water of the beautiful cavity before described, had taken a very curious form at the water's edge, very much resembling the capital of a Gothic column.

THE NARROW WAY.

"There is but one gate into this way, and that is sound conversion. It is a narrow way, and there is no elbow room for lusts. It is a pleasant way, and gives spiritual pleasures, but prohibits those that are sensual. Life eternal is at the end of it. One hour of joy in heaven will compensate for an age of trouble on earth. One sheaf of that harvest will make up for sowing in tears."

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We have the pleasure of gracing the present number of the Repository with two engravings of scenes associated with the memory of the father of his country; the one of his dwelling place, the other of his grave. Of these, little need be said in the way of description; they are more or less familiar to every American. The situation of Mount Vernon, on the south side of the Potomac, where the river is nearly two miles wide, is very picturesque. The mansion stands on a point about two hundred feet above the level of the river, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. The house is small and plain, and is surrounded by majestic trees.

"What tales, if there were tongues in trees

Those giant oaks could tell!""

The tomb is about two hundred paces from the house, We thought that the fittest accompaniment to these sketches would be an account of the visit of La Fayette to the tomb of Washington; accordingly we give it in the words of his secretary.

"On the 17th October, 1824, we embarked in the steamboat Petersburgh, in company with the Secretary of War, Mr. Calhoun, Generals Macomb, Jones, and a great inany

other officers and citizens. 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 solemn signal, to which the military band 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 worn 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 roof, 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, whose example and wise counsel inspired his youthful mind with those generous sentiments which, at present, render him an example of good citizenship, a model to parents and husbands, the most devoted of sons, the most stable of friends. His father again sought with emotion for every thing which reminded him of the companion of his glorious toils.

Three nephews of General Washington 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 after, the cannon of the fort 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 amid the sombre cypresses by which it is surrounded; a vault slightly elevated, and sodded over, a wooden door without inscription, some withered and some green garlands, indicate to the traveller who visits this spot, the place 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, in a few moments after re-appeared, with his eyes overflowing with tears. He took his son and me by the hand, and led us into the

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tomb, where by a sign he indicated the coffin of his paternal friend, along side of which was that of his companion in life, united to him for ever, in the grave. We knelt reverentially near his coffin, which we respectfully saluted with our lips; rising, we threw ourselves into the arms of La Fayette and mingled our tears with his.

In leaving the vault, we were met by the three nephews of Washington; one of them, Mr. Custis, presented General Lafayette with a gold ring, containing some of the hair of the illustrious dead, and we returned to the house where our companions awaited us. An hour was devoted to visiting the house and grounds, which at present belong to a nephew* of Washington, who bears the same name, and is one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. He has made no alteration in the property left him by his uncle, for whose memory he entertains the most profound and tender respect. George La Fayette assured us that every thing in the house was as he saw it twenty-eight years ago. He found in the place, where Washington himself had left it, the principal key of the Bastile, which was sent him by La Fayette, at the time this monument of despotism was destroyed. The note sent with the key is still carefully preserved.

After resting a few moments, we resumed the path leading to the shore; our march was silent; each of us bore a branch of cypress cut from over the tomb of Washington. We resembled a bereaved family who had just entombed a beloved father. We were already on board our vessel-and the waves had borne us afar, and no one had interrupted our silent meditation. At last Mount Vernon disappeared behind the high and winding banks of the river; all then grouped themselves on the quarterdeck of the steam boat, and listened till evening to La Fayette, who talked of WASHINGTON.

A GOOD man suffers evil and doeth good. A natural, man suffers good and doth evil. DR. SIBBS.

* The Honorable Bushrod Washington, since deceased.

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