The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-04-05

mat Isle, ere coming events naQ cast their
shadows before," to awaken the slightes,
apprehension, proud father and moth
er bent rejoicing over the couch of an in
fant boy, who seemed destined to enjoy
all that earth could promise OF luxury and
ease. Fond hopes and joyous anticipa-
tons we're INDUCED. and through brigh,
vista of happy childhood, promising youth
and successful manhood, they saw in i'm
agin alton all nat the fondest parental
hearts could picture or desire.
Alas for the reality That boy is the
subject OF our simple narrative-and for
the benefit of our youthful readers who
tory OF this celebrated family. we subjoin
a sketch, ere we proceed with the facts
which have been so strangely brought be-
fore our notice.
chairman Bennerhassett. the father oil
!. the subject Of our narrative, was the son oi
an Irish gentleman, but born in England
during temporary visit Of his parents. II
not of the Irish nobility, they were tleast
Of the superior gentry oftheir native land;
and their son, educated at Westminster
and Trinity College, graduated with hon.
or. and entered upon the study Of the law
at Kings Inn-how successfully is shown
by the significant appendage of L. L. D.
which occasionally accompanies his name.
An lrishman, and an lrishman living du-
ring the excitement of the French Revolu.
ton, Blennerhassett could not but feel
deeply the depressed state Of his country;
the quiet of domestic life, to the turmoil oi
the political arena, he, soon after his mar
riage with Miss Agnew. daughter OF the
Lieutenant Governor of the Isle OF Man.
and grand daughter Of the celebrated gen.
eral Of that name, who fell at the battle oI
Germantown left Europe for New-York,
in 1897, determined to make this country
the land of his adoption. After some in
quiry, he purchased beautiful island on
the Ohio River. and there built residence.
in whose construction, economy and sim
piicity were unthought OF. The sum OF
sixty thousand dollars, it is said, was ex.
pended by Blennerhasse,t, in fully estab
fishing himself in his new abode. To the
mind, ofthe voyager descending the river,
as the edifce rose majestically in the dis.
tance. spreading its wings to either shore.
the effect was magical; and emotions were
produced. not unlike those experienced in
gazing on the Moorish palaces of Andalu-
sia. There was a spell of enchaniment
around it, which would fain induce the
credulous to believe that it had been crea-
ted by magic. and consecrated to the gods
| On nearer approach was observed the
beautifully graded lawn. decked with taste
tul shrubbery. and interspersed with nice
snowy flowers; while a little in the dis
| tance the elm threw its dark branches over
a carpet oi the most beautiful green sward
Beyond these, the forest trees were inter.
mingled with copse-wood, so closely as to
exclude the noon-day sun; and in Other
places they formed those long sweeping
vistas, in the iNtricacies of which the eye
delights to lose itself; while the imagina-
lion conceives them as the paths Of wilder
scenes OF sylvan solitude. The space i'm
mediately in the rear of the dwelling was
assigned to fruits and flowers. Of which the
varieties were rare, excellent and beauti.
ful; and the manner in which they were
disposed over the surface, unique, elegant
and tasteful. Espaliers of peach. apricot.
ounce and pear trees, extended along the
exterior, confined to a picket fence; while
in the middle space. wound labyrinthine
walks, skirted with Towering shrubs, and
the eglantine and the honey -suckle flung
their mellferous blossoms over bowers oi
various forms. On the south was the veg
etable garden, and, adjoining this, thrift
ty young orchard. embracing many varie.
ties OF fruit, promising abundant supplies
for future use, not entirely neglecting the
useful for the ornamental. Blennerhasseti
had cleared a hundred acres below, and
cultivated, in great perfection, the various
crops adapted to the soil. The hall was
a spacious room-its walls painted som
bre color, with beautiful conice of plas-
ter, bordered with gilded moulding. run.
ming around the lofty ceiling, while its fur.
niture was rich, heavy and grand. The
furniture and drawing was in strong con.
trast with that of the hall-light, airy and
elegant; with splendid mirrors, classic pic.
lures, rich curtains. and ornamentsio cor.
respond, arranged by Mrs. Bennerhasseu
with incest taste and harmonious effect
large quantity OF silver-plate ornamented
the side boards and decorated the tables
} Fhe whole establishment was chasten ed
by the purest taste, and without that glsre
oi tinsel fnery, too common among the
wealthy"
This sounds like fancy sketch, does i
not. dear reader? Yet this Eden Of beauty
once existed, and here resided the parent.
Of him whom we will soon introduce te
you in scenes Of startling contrast. II
this favored spot the days Of his infancy
and childhood were spent; and here annie
, the scenes Of unrivaled beauty, the artist
spirit awoke to life, and expanded. and re-
! ceived such strength that all the miserie.
, Of his mature years have failed 10 ex,in
r guish. or even weaken it.
:. 1t would be unnecessary. in a sketch
I like this, to enter into the controvertet
( points relating to the celebrated conspirac,
r oi- Aaron Burr. After his unsuccessful
r nomination for the Presidency Of the Unitee
States, disappointed in his hopes Of polti
f cal preferment, deeply chagrined by th,
: more peaceful measures Of Jefferson, and
probably, wruDg with remorse for the deatl
!. of Hamilton. he determined to enter init
h schemes Of conflict and aggrandizemen
$ so extensive as would almost blot from hi
J, mind the memory of the past, and transrpi
: his name to the future as a conoueror. III,
. 1comnaor nf pi1 ~. :, - ~. I.