TO

MRS. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

A SLIGHT TRIBUTE TO HER MANY VIRTUES

AND

IN TOKEN OF HIGH REGARD,

THIS VOLUME

18 VERY RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.

THANKS for the picture of thy daily life-
Thy bright example, Daughter, Mother, Wife!
The watchful care that cheers thy sire's decline,
As a lone shaft's long shielded by a vine,
A gentle, holy lesson, graven deep,

Thy Daughter, cherished in her heart, will keep;
Thy couch of suffering she'll bend above,

And soothe thee, ever, with devoted love.
Constant to thee, thy sons will crown thy days
With reverence, heart-felt blessings, fondest praise;
And HE, still proving the truest of friends,
The homage of whose faith on thee attends,
Wherever tossed 'mid life's tumultuous jar,
E'er turn to thee, his fixed, his guiding star,
And in thy smile benign, confiding seek
The peace, the happiness, thy prayers bespeak!—
When thou in Heaven dost fold thy spirit-wing,
Around thy name will sweetest memories cling,
Eoft as the balmy breath of fragrance cast
On earthly bowers, whore Peri's wing has pass'd

Or radiance ling'ring round the glowing West,
When day serene has gently sunk to rest!

Long may Columbia's Daughters thus portray
The lofty virtue of her earlier day!-

And may the blessings of thy heart and hearth
Change but for those of bright, empyreal birth!

Melrose, January 1st, 1850.

M. O. U.

Mrs. Washington's Birth-Descent-Family Name-Education-Mar-

riage-Position, Character, and Occupation of her Husband-Mr.

Washington's previous Marriage-Date of Mrs. Washington's Mar-

riage Her place of Residence-Birth of her son, George-Mr.

Washington removes from his former Home-Names of Mrs.

Washington's six Children-Death of Augustine Washington-State

of his pecuniary affairs at his Death-Mr. Sparks' statements on this

subject-Mrs. Washington's Practical Abilities called into requisition

--The sole Guide of her Children after the Death of her Husband-

Her system of Domestic Education and Discipline-Her good sense

illustrated in the early Training of her son George-Mrs. Washing-

ton a Christian Matron

1

CHAPTER II.

The History of Mrs. Washington associated with that of her son George
-His early efforts at Self-Maintenance-His initiatory Military Ad
ventures a source of Anxiety to his Mother-The Deaths of Mrs
Washington's two eldest sons-LETTER addressed by Col. Washing
ton to his Mother, after the Battle of the Monongahela-His Illnes
-Appointment to the Chief Command of the Virginia Troops-
LETTER to Mrs. Washington upon this subject-Her clear-sighter
discernment of the practical Objections to this Post-No Minut
Details respecting this portion of Mrs. Washington's Life.