That party which had long constituted the opposition, and which, though the minority for the moment, nearly divided the house of representatives, declared its preference for the equestrian statue which had been voted by congress at the close of the war.

The division between a statue and a monument was so nearly equal, that the session passed away without an appropriation for either.

The public feelings soon subsided, and those who possessed the ascendancy over the public sentiment employed their influence to draw odium on the men who favoured a monument; to represent that measure as a part of a general system to waste the public money; and to impress the idea that the only proper monument to the memory of a meritorious citizen, was that which the people would erect in their affections.
[Illustration: Resting-Place of George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon _Dying December 14, 1799, the body of Washington Was placed, with simple but impressive ceremonies, in the old family vault, from which it was removed in 1831 to a tomb of plain brick construction, near a wooded ravine a short distance from the house.

Behind an iron grating may be seen the two sarcophagi which contain the mortal remains of George Washington and his wife, Martha._] General Washington was rather above the common size, his frame was robust, and his constitution vigorous--capable of enduring great fatigue, and requiring a considerable degree of exercise for the preservation of his health.

His exterior created in the beholder the idea of strength, united with manly gracefulness.
[Sidenote: And character.] His manners were rather reserved than free, though they partook nothing of that dryness, and sternness, which accompany reserve when carried to an extreme; and on all proper occasions, he could relax sufficiently to show how highly he was gratified by the charms of conversation, and the pleasures of society.