Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-10-16
coRRrsposDEscE OF THE NEW HAVEN COURIER.
AN HOUR WITH HENRY CLAY AT
HOME.

Kentucky is noble State, Blessed with
fertile soil, beautiful scenery, and peo-
pie rarely equalled in general impulses
and social virtues. No where is more
delightful rural tract than that part OF it
in the vicinity of Lexington. For miles
and miles, 10 every direction, it is bedeck-
ed with pleasant open grassy groves,
green curyng lawns, and wood embow-
cred cottages. Enter and you will find
the abodes Of elegance and taste. Your
reception will be frank, your entertain
ment most hospitable. The men have
noble bearing, and the females fine full
figures, and pure roseate complexions;-
for nature, in her prodigalisy, has given
TO this charming region, climate pro-
pitious to the development OF our race
If such is the country and its people, :he
town, Lexington, is worthy oft. That
has highly intelligent population, insti-
tutions OF literature, elegant mansions
partly concealed in groves Of locusts,
whose tiny, fragile leaves, gently dance
in the sunlight to the softest zephyr
and is, moreover, the home OF one, whose
very name holds dear place in our me-
mories.
In minor street of this beautiful town,
is a plain, two story brick edi6ce, over
one of the doors Of which is the sign of
H. e. ]. B. Clay. One morning, few
weeks since, entered this plainly fur
nished Office, helped myself to seat and
a newspaper. In few minutes in walk
ed an elderly gentleman in black coat
and white pantaloons. ! had never be.
fore seen him; but needed not second
glance to know HENRY CLAY. present
ed letter of introduction, upoa which,
after some little conversation, he invited
me out TO tea, at his seat, Ashland, some
twenty minutes walk from the central
part Of the town. AT the appointed hour
was on my way there. From gate
on the roadside, approached the man.
sion by winding path OF some thirty
rods 10 length. 1t stands on smooth,
undulatng lawn of the purest green, bor-
der. iringed by variety Of trees. The
open door disclosed to my view, TWO ell
derly ladies', seated in one of the three
rooms into which common entry led
One of them, Mrs. Clay, called to me 20
walk in, and directed me to the rear OF
the house, where stood Judge R., of Ohio
and her husband. The former, as was
introduced by Mr.. c., received me with
the stiffness Of the North,-the latter,
with the cordial of.hand manner Of his
adopted State. Mr.. Clay then showed us
some rare plants, joked with his lille
grandchild, and we entered the house,
Passing through the room where sat his
lady and the vile of the Judge, he Jocose'
" said, "these ladies' have some conspl.
racy together, let US walk into the parlor."
% the hearth was a splendid rug, with
the words worked in it, "PRoTEcTIoN
TO AMERICAN INDUSTRY; around we're
busts and paintings. The furniture was
old fashioned, but rich, with an air oil
comfort pervading the apartment. -
Among the curiosltles shown to us by Mr..
c.. was the wiueglass used by Washing
ton through the Revoutor-an ostensible
indication that the father of our country
was not himself WashiugtonIan. In a
few minutes our group was enlarged by
the presence Of the ladies'. Mrs. Clay IS
lady OF the old school IN person slen-
der, in manner rather reserved, and IN
disposition aud habits, domestic. Mr..
Cay's conversation is frequently anecdo-
teal, and his knowledge Of all parts Of
our country, their condition, prospects
and people, renders it easy for him to
adapt himself in familiar topics to the
great variety of characters that assemble
at his residence. An instance OF his hap
yy faculty at repartee was related BY him.