CHAPTER III.

The Commencement of the Revolution-Washington's Appointment as
Commander-in-Chief of the American Army -Mrs. Washington's pi-
ous Resignation-Her Removal from her country-seat to Frederics-
burg, in Virginia-Bids adieu to her Son-Her Remedy for Mental
Anxiety-Her practical Knowledge now peculiarly available to Herself
and Others-Mrs. Washington's active Habits-Daily Practice of Dri-
ving out to her Farm-Her prompt Discipline in respect to her Subor-
dinates-Anecdote-Constantly receives the Visits and Attentions of
her Children and Grand-Children-Mrs. Washington's Interest in
Public Affairs-Her confidence in the ultimate Triumph of Right-
Her Reception of the news of the successful Passage of the Delaware
-Expression of her fervent gratitude to Heaven, when informed of
the Surrender of the British Army at Yorktown-The Commander-in-
Chief hastens to the Presence of his Mother-Mrs. Washington's Bear-
ing and Conversation on this Occasion.

CHAPTER IV.

Washington's Public Welcome at Fredericsburg-Preparations for a
BALL-Mrs. Washington specially Invited-Accepts the Invitation,
attended by her Son-Her Reception by the Company-Her Dress,
Manners and Appearance on this public occasion-Astonishment of
the Foreign Officers present-Characteristic Remark of Mrs. Washing-
ton, upon Retiring-The Commander in-Chief dances his last min-
uet.

CHAPTER V.

Mrs. Washington's Children desire her to reside with them-she prefers

a separate Establishment-The affectionate Devotion of her Children

and Friends-Continues her habits of diligent Exertion and Industry-

Declines the Assistance of her Son-in-Law in the Management of her

Affairs-Receives a Visit from the Marquis de La Fayette-Mrs. Wash-

ington's celebrated Remark respecting her son George-The dignified na.

ture of her Sentiments in relation to him-The Influence she always

maintained over his mind-Washington's unalterable Reverence for

his Mother-His implicit Obedience to her-Mrs. Washington's De-

votional Habits-Her single mental Infirmity-Personal Appearance

of Mrs. Washington.

CHAPTER VI.

President Washington takes a final Leave of his Mother, before assuming his new duties-Mrs. Washington's impaired Health-Her last Illness and Death-LETTER from Washington to his Sister in relation to the Death of his Mother.

CHAPTER VII.

General Summary of the Character of Mrs. Washington.

CHAPTER VIII.

Place of Mrs. Washington's Interment-Monument to her MemoryLaying of the Corner-Stone by the President of the United StatesExtracts from his Eulogy-Lines written for this Occasion, by Mrs. Sigourney-Description of the Monument.

MRS. MARY WASHINGTON was born towards the conclusion of the year 1706. Little is known of her ancestors, except that she inherited an unimpeachable name. We are informed that she was descended from a highly respectable family of English colonists, named Ball, who originally established themselves on the banks of the Potomac.

It is to be lamented that no records of the youth, or early womanhood of this illustrious lady have been preserved.

We are, therefore, in ignorance of the education and domestic influences by which her remarkable character was developed and matured.

But, judging from the rare combination of mental and moral qualities which we find exhibited in the brief history of her later life, we may suppose her homeeducation to have been particularly practical and judicious; such, indeed, was almost the only instruction received by women in this country, at a much later period than that to which we refer.

To the abiding effect of early maternal training, Mrs. Washington must have been, at least in some degree, indebted, for her habits of unusual industry, economy, and regularity, as well as for the excellent constitution, that gave vigor and practical usefulness to the operations of a naturally powerful intellect. To the ineffaceable impressions of infant years, we may also ascribe the moral elevation and the exalted piety associated with her noble mind.

We are unable to ascertain the precise time of Mrs. Washington's marriage; but we are accurately informed of the date of the melancholy event by which the entire charge of her young family devolved upon their widowed mother.

This memorable incident occurred in the Spring of 1743,* when Mrs. Washington had scarcely more than attained the completion of her thirty-seventh year.

The premature death of her husband, left Mrs. Washington, with very limited pecuniary resources, to

*April 12, 1743.