Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-25
Letter from John Esten Cooke, esq.

Mason, of Spring Bank, containing hume
rous structures on my paper dedicated to his
celebrated nameSakc.
I have not the honor of Mr.. Mason's ac'
quaintance, but cheertully acknowledge his
( right rs the oldest member of the now old
est surviving male branch OF his family Ia
criticise my article Had his communica-
ton referred only Ia the literary execution
of the piece, should certainly have not
. troubled You with these lines. But direct
charge Of historical inaccurncy is preferred
against me, and rs | DIES IN these sketches
( for collection in a volume, it is due to myself
that should reply 10 his criticism.
/ Mr.. MaSon'S points are succinctly rs fol-
lows:
! |. George Mason was the descendant of q
gallant cavalier who fought for King Charles.
IL. lie WAS OF sangnne temperament and
genial disposition -rep!rte with wit and
humur- owed most ot the influence he
exercised to his cultivation and powers of
conversation.
III. He read Greek and Latin in the orig-
nal. and his well used copies Of Catullus and
Ovid prove that he would have relShei the
/ literature of the Troubadours.
". He was mot the sombre and satur-
nine seer of this pretty romance which we
have lately rcad-the GrecIan Chalc;ls III the
gaunt form and adjust complexion of the old
Baron of Bradwardine which the writer has
painted"
Y. The publication of the authors name
is fortunate, rs relieving the descendants Of
George Mason from the imputation of hav-
in. supplied the colors for sketch which
lis rs strange All incongruity in tints, rs II
commingling of facts and iancies."
Let me notice these points Seriatm. 1t
is well to arrive at the truth OF history even
ut the expense of Il little tedum.
In relation. then. t. the first point. !
never denied Mr.. Mason's cavalier de-
scent On the contrary, it was distinctly
implied, III the various statements that he
had the prestige of rank and fortune
that his family were distinguished among
the gentry of the COLONY the pru.ceI,s
III Ibis country had come over from Eng
land in lGjl, when ST. many of the adhe-
rents Of Hing Charles fled to escape tho
wrath of Cromwell, and the long Purlia
mrnt, and that the family kept up the old
style of living in all its prViusion, mingling
socially with the class that then ruled, rs Ii
tied persons rule men III Eng lnnd.'
am unable to understand how from
these and other similar colors and traits OF
the picture any one could suppose that |
intended to deny Mr.. Mnson's cavalier"
descent.
The second clause of the criticism claims
intellectual cultivation and powers OF con
,crsaion for Mr. Mason. | denied his pos
session Of neither asserting on the contrary
that he MAS ''"ue 81 the mr'st profoundly ed
urated thinkers ii the time" and that hs
loved to have his old neighbors by HIM in
his honest old country home, and to talk
with them, freely and unrescrvedly." That
his colluuuit powers were the secret Of his
politr. influence and celebrity, do not
brliryr--nur is The statement calculated 10
increase the lust renown 81 the author of the
BIZ If Rights T." his wit and humor" !
certainly bore testimony by the anrcdote re
lated III the latter portion "i my sketch. /"
his genial disposition" ! bore equal testl-
muny hy altrIbutlng to him ~ warm and
atirctionalr heart, kind aud generous I'M
ture" with the "simpe and ycntm tastes "f
the good citizen, the good ncIghbor, the kind
hearted husband and nther and the honest
man.
The third point Of thr criticism is that he
was familiar with the Greek ani Latin elias
sirs-rrlishrI Catullus and ovid and hence
might have admired the literature of the
Trnuhadour> My sketch did not call these
facts in question:. ! said that "his simple,
earnest and massive tastes and opinions
were opposed /" any great t"ndneSs for 1.-The
cay philosophy Of i which obtained among
III" knights and MINISTRIES Of Provence'--t"
their "r.uutts of Lowe, SIryrntes' aui fryo-
l,,ls am.l>rmeDts aud tins, from the simple
fact that he w.Is Il serious and conscientious
English gentleman.
The fourth point ~ that the sketch ri h!r
Mason, personal appearance and manlers
IL my article Is Inaccurate, "a pretty r"-
manrr'-tIat he was not ''s"mbre and
saturnine seer. Grecan Chalcas. i'll the
gaunt iur,m gnI adjust complexion of the
Baron Of Bradwariius." did not say that
Mr.. Mason WAS sombre seer; th4t he vas
gaunt; OF that his complexion was adjust
did say that lac was tall, muscular. swar-
thy" and '>u,,-rmbrowncd'- that his man
DtT-, NHIit Il'S'h WIZ
characterized 10y - stately politencss.' My
authority inF the statements made may he
found IN ~. Grigsby's very accurate and
valuable discourse on the IUyinia COnren-
Hon ot NC. "SIus"n" snys Dir. Grigsby,
was nearly six feet high. Vt large md
sinewy frame, and AL active step aud gait.
Exposure had derprncd the tnts Of light
brown complexion, and it WAS impossible to
behold his athletic form and grave face,
lighted up by black eye which burned
with the brightness Of youth without II feel
in. of respect approaching 10 awe. His
bearing Was III the highest degree courteous
but lolty" wrote OF Mason, his large
dark eyes were habiruuIly characterized by
IN expression half sad, half sc:cre.' Mr.
Griysby wrote Of the portrait at Cermont,
hi. dark eyes have that expression halt
sal, half severe whl:h is seen in the eyes OF
tlc painter Giolto."
4 charge might here hc brought against
my literary originality, but scarcely against
my historical accuracy The last criticism
NECESSARY % hc noticed il contained in the
l,lowin. words Of Mr.. Mason's commun
cation:
Il can but express 10 yon ny thanks Tor
havimg given to the public the namc Of the
author Of the article lately published in the
GaHrtir, hruird "irorge Mason, of }ir-
gina" as oiiiorwise some Of his descendants
might have been su=prrird of supplying the