Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-08
How Mrs. Lee and Mrs. jackson are
Spending the Summer.
From the Rockbridge Springs correspondent
of the New Orleans Times.

From the Rockbridge Springs correspondent
of the New Orleans Times.
Among these, l found here Mrs. Robert
E. Lee, whom l had not seen for thirty
years. / had known her when boy as
the belle of Arlington. the daughter of
George Washington Parke Custis. who
was the adopted child (step-son) of
George Washington, but no blood rela-
tion. Then she was an elegant and at
trsctive young lady, of great affability of
manner and personal charms. Alas l
found her greatly changed by time, and
still more by disease. The charm of her
manner still continues, but her body has
been terribly afflicted by rheumatism,
which has made her such cripple that
for some years pest-almost from the
commencement of the late war-her only
locomotion is affected in chair with
wheels, which is moved about by SER
wants. In spite of this affection she is a
most agreeable and cheerful old lady, re-
ceives every one with smile, and con-
verses upon all subjects with great intel
ligence, vivacity and good humor.
There is nothing of the laughter,
querrulousness, or discomfort of the
invalid, in her manner or conversa-
tion. Her time is occupied in social con-
verse, sewing, writing and playing with
her grandchild, a jolly little fellow, the
son of General W. FL. f. Lee. She ia
full of energy and industry, and employs
herself most zealously to q late hour Of
the night sewing for herself aud
daughters. At present she is engaged in
making q dress for herself and one of
her daughters out of some calico sent as
present from the Phenix cotton mills
in Georgia. Mrs. Lee, though contented
with her situation, and deeply grateful for
the many tokens of love and admiration
which have been lavished upon her hus-
band and herself, very naturally sighs for
her old home at Arlington, from which
she has been so ruthlessly and barba-
rously banished. She expects to close
her life amid the scenes of the happy
days of her childhood and girlhccd.
Even this most cherished desire, however,
she will cheerfully sacrifice to her dignity
and pride, and will never consent to re-
ceive back her estates If rendered with
any conditions or as charitable and
merciful condescenson and favor by the
Government which go cruelty devastated
and appropriated property bequeathed
by her patriotic father, and never legally
acquired by the authority which now
retainsit. Arlington must cease to be a
Federal cemetery when the family of
Robert Z Lee occupy it. The daughter
in law of Mrs. Lee is here with her, the
wife of General W. II. f. Lee, one of the
most elegant and beautiful ladies / have
seen in Virginia. She was Miss Boiling,
of Petersburg, of the old Pocahontas
stock, always famous for beauty and high
spirit. Her commanding and elegant
figure, her bright and beaming face, and
air of mingled dignity, grace and gentle
ness, would make her in the largest as
sembly the cynosure of all eyes-the
" observed of ell observers" Mrs. 7. ].
Jackson is also making sojourn in the
place. She is youthful and handsome
widow, of affable manners, and her little
daughter, bright girl of seven or eight
years, attracts universal attention as the
sole helress of the illustrious hero of
Chancelorville and of hundred other
battles