Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-02-16

riments, and his house and grounds were fur
nishcd with various means of winter and sum
mer afrusernents. The mansion with its cor
| ridor and wings formed half all elIipsis, anC
the finish and furniture of its apartments were
adapted to the use for which thew were intend
ed. The hall was a spacious lofty room, its
walls painteda sombre color, and its furniture
rich, heavy and grand. The drawing. room
was IN perfect contrast, and its decorations
light as Fairy's wing. In short, the whole
establishment was noble aud genteel, wi,hou,
the glare oil tinssl inery, or the inconsistency
OF bad taste. His style of living was in un-
sion with his house and furniture, always e,e-
CANT, easy and comfortable The arrange
ment OF The ground was equally complete, the
famous shrubbery was mimic wilderness,
with labyrinth walks bOrderej with flowers ::
and interspersed with arbors aud gro,tos. The
extensive pasture in front with its focks and
herds, was separated from the lawn by an in-
visible fence; and the view up the Ohio was
unobstruc,ed for several miles. Butthe whole
scene requires the pen of a poet. The de-
scription OF Writ is nearer the reality than is
generally believed, and his sketch of Mrs
Biannerhasset Is equally true to nature. She
was beautiful and accomplished lady, of Dig
nitied appearance and manners; affable, friend
ly, and without the least aflectation, We, with
all her elegance she was notable housewife,
and devoted to her needle, not in the produce
ton OF flowers and fuunces, bnt oG garments
Tor her children and servants. The miserable
slanucrS which have been reported Of her, are
without the least foundation. Burr did no.
seduce Bannerhasso,, through the medium of
ma wlie, as has often been stated, his oniv vi
SIT 10 the Island did not exceed three DAYS. and
no woman of Mrs. BIS mind ant! character.
could be corrupted on so brief nil acquaintance.
i'ia;'Derhasset was an open and unguarded
man. easily imposed upon, and enthusiastic in
ak his impulses. Burr approached him in the
most artlul and nSidous manner. Descend
ing the river IN a batteaux, he landed as n pass
Ing stranger merely tn see and admire the far
famed Island. Mr.. Banner,asset hearing thai
a stranger was ON his lawn, sent servant TO
invite INN ia the house the willy serpent sent
mis- carl with an apology, but Mr. B. with his
hsuai hospitality, walked out and insisted ON
ms remaining day or two. Burr very Quiet
iy scquiesced, and during that unfortunate in
teFy'ew, infused the poison of ambition into
me hnw%ry mind of his visionary host Mrs
y. endeavored To hssuadc her husband from
the enterprise, but finding his soul enlisted i'm
IL, her sense OF duty compeiledher to acouiesce
IN his views, which resulted in The ruin of his
family.
carr hsvc gone b., and the tale at last
is told as sorrow scene long past"
The steamboat passenger looks on the de-
serted island for some ves,ige of its former
| enbesiislancnt; but he looks in vain. The
mansion was destroyed by fire, its beautiful
apPendages are obliteraied, its hospitality,
Tie soul OF music, and the refinement of taste
aiit: intellect, have all departed. On my las.
visit to the scene of many happy hours, the
only memento OF my early associations could
find, was "R w. 1906" carved or the bark of
an old beach tree.
81 felt Ike one who trcaas alone,
J Some banquet hall deserted
| Whose lights fled, whose garland's dead,
| And all but nc Departed