American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-06
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 8.
George Washington Parke custis.

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The name of this venerable and accomplished
gentleman is as a household word in the fami-
hes OF the Metropolis. He has resided at Ar
hngton, we believe, since the year 1872, and
thlther, for the last twenty years, the young
and the old Of our city have daily resorted,
during the Summer months, to avail themselves
OF the many pleasures afforded by the romantic
spot, and by the free and unaffected hospitality
of its estimable proprietor. s7..e
Mr.. G. is about seventy-fve years of age.
Though his mind is well stored with knowledge
derived from almost every department Of study,
he is more particularly remarkable for his init
mate acquaintance with the early history Of
men prominent in the wars of the Revolution
and of 1872 These often constitute the sub
jects of his conversation. His manner is as
plain and unaffected as infancy; and, as he
moves from one to another Of a social party,
relating with patriotic feeling incidents of the
Revolution, his face beams with sympathetic
joy at beholding the happy countenances of
those around him.
So popular and attractive is Arlington Spring
as place of resort, possessing, as it does, so
many beauties to crafty the visiter, that ap-
plications for its use are often required to be
made weeks in advance, and its worthy propri-
etor could, no doubt, derive q handsome reve-
nue. for its use, from those who have SO fre-
quently enjoyed it. But with him g it is more
blessed to give than to receive;" and he feels
| amply compensated in the consciousness that
he has contributed to the pleasure Of others,
and in the gratitude. which all SO warmly ex-
press.
On recent occasion, after day passed by
large company at Arlington, in the enjoyment
OF rational pleasure, the exercises closing with
a song beautifully adapted to the occasion, one
| OF their number, at parting, addressed Mr. Gus
| tbs on their behalf. He spoke of the days of
pleasure they had enjoyed in his grounds; of
the hearty welcome they had received at each
returning season; of the many interesting as
sociations suggested by their present visit, and
of the solicitude with which they observed the
marks of Time upon his person; and concluded
with the assurance that, long after he shall
have passed away from among them, they will
continue to hold him in grateful remembrance.
The old man, leaning upon his staff, replied
with much feeling. He felt that his sun was
| fast sinking beneath the horizon. 1t had been
his pleasure for twenty years and more to wit
ness the scenes of enjoyment on his grounds
and the assurance that he had, in any manner,
contributed to their happiness was dearer to
him than any return they could make Admon-
ished, he said, that his days were few, it was
sweet reflection, that when he should no longer
mingle in their joys he would still be remem-
bered by them; that some would say, ave
knew the old man well we remember his ia
miliar form, as he moved among us with lis
plain attire and undressed staff how he vel
coined us to his woods, and invited us to drink
from the ancient spring, and how he delighted
to entertain US with "reminiscences of his early
days" Then, assuring them of the qualification
the present token of their esteem had given
him, he withdrew, after wishing them the en-
joyment Of long and useful lives, and the return
of many such days as the one then closing upon
them.