The North-Carolina standard., 1849-09-12
A VISIT TO FORT HILL !:

rBE RESIDENCE OF THE HON. JOHN c. CALHOUN,
NEAR PENDLRToN, s. c. f7E.z -r5s-.gt-s
In paying visit to the great statesman of America
IN his secluded home at the South, the viSiter is so
struck with both him and his home, that he is at
loss which to admire most-the far-seeing sage, or
the magnificent scenery by which he is surrounded.
Few Northerners have had the pleasure of seeing
Mr. Calhoun at home. On his plantation, in the bo-
som of his family, and surrounded by familiar
TO him for so many years, he is the same, and yet he
in respects different person from the Senat
al the capital. He is more at his ease, sociable
and familiar, and far happier. ~ fa-..
His residence is about four miles from Pendeton,
sn old town in Picken's district, about $50 miles
rom Charleston. -..- -..., .s.--
| reached Pendleton about midday, and no soon
g had landed from the mail stage, than made in
lairy of the landlord of the hotel IN regard the
-isance to Fort Hill. He replied, g Yonder is Mr..
Calhoun HIMSELF" My eyes followed the direction
10 which his finger pointed, and sure enough saw,
seated under the shade of large tree, that stately
head, whose features if never forgotten,
and had seen Mr. Calhoun before in the Senate and
recognised him at once He as approached to
where he seated, surrounded by group of gen.
demen, his neighbers, and when delivered him my
letter of introduction, he asked me seat. When
he had read the letter, he introduced to his neigh
bos and then kindly invited me to return with him
his residence and spend two or three days. 1t is
needless to say, that at accepted his invitation,
50 cordially given, and in the course of an hour
was seated by his side in his carriage, and the
WaY to Fort Hill. .ss -l ..-as ..-e. s..
Soon after leaving Pendleton, the carriage entered
forest, in which we continued until reached the
gate, which opened into the grounds in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the mansion. This is so concealed
ha you hardly notice it. until you within very
distance of the white pillars of the north and
east fronts of his house. ..,... s--.
The door yard is flied with trees and shrubbery-
nkS that have stood there least two hundred years.
ocusts, ems willows, wild orange, and fig trees in
Vulnerable, the latter loaded with fruit attached is
very large garden, filled with fruits, flowers, plants
vegetables of every description and not far dis
nnt are large apple and peach orchards. Rhe man
sion itself is plain, unpretendng- looking building
relieved by wide piaZzas, and, each side, rows of
. columns. AS said before, the oak trees standing
close the house very old, large. and lofty, and
their immense tops are OF great SERVICE not only In
presenting an impenetrable shade. but in protecting
1t thunder storm, aS1 had occasion to witness,
fer during my short stay, Fort Hill was visited by
one of the most severe thunder storms l had
Witnessed, and should do the thunder injustice
not to that it ofthe regular Calhoun order,
and exactly what should have expected in this
giOn. II tremendous; and the lightning very
brilliant. Flash and crash followed each other, 1t
being difficult to distinguish which first, for
some fifteen minutes, when the performance, to my
extreme satisfaction came to close, with remark
fom Mr.. Calhoun, who seated in the room, that
thunder was unusually loudin our neighborhOOd.
made some casual remark In reply, as though was
used to it in the North, but it was such thing.
We have such soaring thunder in the North, and
have been nervous and down on such thunder and
lightning ever since. -
We reached Fort Hill about two clock, P. M.
was nearly the dinner hour. was introduced to
his family, which at that time consisted of Mrs.
CalhUun his youngest daughter and the three young
est sons. MIR. Calhoun has seven children--the ell
dest, Andrew, Is planter5in Alabama !; the next,
Patrick, is captain in the army and stationed near
New Orleans the eldest daughter is in Europe,
line wife of our Charge at Belgium. Mrs. Calhoun
lis just such wife as man like Mr., Calhoun should
have-sensible, domestic, and industrious. She gov
ems her household IN style that no Roman matron,
nthe old times, surpassed. Cornella the daugh-
Ter at home, is most afectIonate companion for the
mother. of the three who were at home,
must make some mentien. John is physician; and
married. shortly after left, to the daughter of
neighbor. He will make leading physician
Whereyer his destiny leads him 10 settle. James, the
next, is calm, quiet, thinking young man, of 20,
and many respects. strongly resembles his father.
Wlieis the youngest of ali MIR. Calhoun's children,
about Is years of age, and the pet OF all. The two
last are students in the South Carolina College, and
at home during the vacation. s5& p. 20
dressed for dinner, and when sat down to the
table was soon at home, and felt much as if
had known every member of the family for the last
Twelve years. ~ l--- .--t{i -5--< = I i'-
Every thing that is to be had in the South is raised
or found on Mr.. CalEouns estate, and on his table.
de is very spare eater, and his temperance IS so
well known, that need allude to 1T. During the
dinner, Mr Calhoun asked me if there was anything
very at the North in the political world. 10
talked about and that It was evidently making a
sensation. / was curious to hear what he would
say to this, and asked him if he had read It '
- Some one has sent me copy, which have read:
he has said many things of me which he well knew
We're false do not yet know whether shall no.
lice it or not. Should do so, should avoid any
hing like personalities, Mr.: Benton is man with
whom care to have little Intercourse in any shape;
and though his career and character are such, that
they leave him very much exposed to be completely
ern to pieces, Ishould only reply to such statements
MS speech as are injurious to the South, and con-
ne myself simply to refuting them, without tonch'
~g MS own defOrmities,' lty .-Ef l!qq1 5BH .;geo
After dinner we went out the north piazza there
not another such view in theworld as is to be seen
a. Fort Hill, from the front door. There are range
mountains-both the Allegheny and Blue ridge
which extend from west to north, where they are
iost m In the distance which can be distinctly seen;
WIN their tops and peaks coming up into the SKY,
fty sixty miles distaht; and the scope Of your
sye In the instant embraces mountains in the four
sSses of North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and
south Carolina. The view from his residence is as
:s'nking as his own views. He can look far ahead
INTO the distant future, and events ahd results are
sear to his vision leRg before they can be seen by
sers, who have not hisad Fantagas in poHt Of view
saese lofty mountains and changing appearance
', na changing seasons, and changing atmosphere
','In = and sunshine-are glorious sight can on.
give you faint idea, and an imPerfeet sketch OF