where during those "weary eight years" she labored incessantly with her servants in making homespun clothing for the suffering soldiers, herself knitting the stockings. Her big Bible with its family record of births, marriages and deaths, is now the precious possession of her descendant, Mrs. Ella Barett Washington. On "Kenmore," the home plantation of her daughter, rises a gentle eminence overlooking the valley of the Rappahannock and the lovely ampitheatre of hills rising from it, where are clustered a mass of bold rocks sheltered by fine old oaks looking towards her old home, "Pine Oak." This spot was a favorite resort for the mother for meditation and prayer. The hours spent there, her children and grand-children held sacred, and never intruded upon. It is still venerated as "Oratory Rock." On August 25, 1789, after a painful illness, in unfaltering faith, she passed from earth and was buried at her own request at this spot, sacred to her for all future time unto the Resurrection Morn.
MARTHA WASHINGTON.
Though the life of Mrs. Washington was a changeful one, and had its full measure of sorrow and joy, it affords little material for the biographer. Yet, as some one said in writing about her years ago, none who take an interest in the history of the Father of this country, can fail to desire some knowledge of her who shared his thoughts and plans, and was associated with him in the great events of his life. And, indeed, few women have been called to move in the drama of existence amid scenes so varied and imposing; and few have sustained their part with so much dignity and discretion. In the shades of retirement or in the splendor of eminent station, she was the same unostentatious, magnanimous woman. Through the gloom of adverse fortune she walked by the side of the chief,
