CHAPTER XXII

Summary

The most interesting event connected with the Prince of Wales' progress through the United States was the visit, with President Buchanan to the Tomb of Washington, of which it has been truly said :

There rests the man, the flower of human kind,

Whose visage mild bespoke his nobler mind ;

There rests the soldier who his sword ne'er drew

But in a righteous cause, to freedom true ;

There rests the hero, who ne'er fought for fame,

Yet gained more glory than a Caesar's name ;

There rests the statesman who, devoid of art,

Gave soundest counsel from an upright heart.

And, Oh! Columbia, by thy sons caressed,

There rests the Father of the realms he blessed,

Who no wish felt to make his mighty praise,

Like other chiefs, the means himself to raise ;

But when retiring, breathed in pure renown,

And felt a grandeur that disowned a crown.

The party, in addition to Mr. Buchanan and the Prince and suite, consisted of Miss Lane, Mr. Cass, all the heads of departments and their wives and daughters, and several others of less official note. The steamer in which they made the excursion was the Government cutter Harriet Lane. Only those of the royal and official party were admitted on board, not excepting the gentlemen of the press, for the worthy host of the White House had said, in reply to a ques tion bearing upon them, “No ; the press is to be suppressed on this occasion.”