Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-07-07


Now that Mr.. Seward has for time sought
the rcpose Of private life, and the relaxations
Of travel as a relief from the cares of State,
which have so long and so heavily weighed
upon him, few incidents of his last hours
among his fellow-townsmen, prior to his Pa
cihc trip, may be of interest to your readers.
Mr.. Seward occupies large square brick
mansion, built by his father-in-law, Judge
Miller, to which successive additions and i'm
provements have been made by the Governor
who, by the way, is a master-builder Anti
Mason though he be--some of these improve.
ments having been effected by him on a con-
l6lerable scale during the present year. The
house is set in handsome grounds, with pro-
Fusion Of trees about it, wherein abide the
birds in great numbers, and the squirrels,
which were the especial pets Of Mrs Seward
and her daughter. Since the decease of the
venerable mother and her amiabe and accom-
plished daughter, these little proteges Of the
departed have been tenderly cared for by the
family, so that within the Governors grounds
the birds and wild animals live and thrive
right royalty. They are literally monarchs
of the domain. For them the trees bear nuts
and the shrubs and vines fruits, to which they
have the first right. As might be supposed,
these pretty creatures have, under the gentle
influences which surround them. become as
we are told the birds of the air and the beasts
of the field were in a certain Garden, before
the serpent set them warning upon each other.
Entering the house to pay our respects and
take leave OF the Governor before he set out
on his travels, We found him in company with
several of the clergy Of the town, and some
Others who had come for similar purpose.
He received us with his accustomed good hu-
NOR, warmly, aud made us welcome to his
hospitabe abode.
In answer to an inquiry as to the multi
tudes Of birds and squirrels about his place,
the Governor said his wife and daughter cul-
tivated this harmless company, and since
their death his family had kept up the old
custom of caring for their little pets
Some asked what became of the squirrels
in the winter; if they went away with the
birds =?
"0h no, !" said he "my wife planted nut
trees for their sustenanee, and the attic Of the
house is set apart for their winter lodging
There they store their supplies of food, and
with an occasional basket of nuts they man
age to keep along with us very nicely all the
year round"
Presently getting into his barouche, the
Governor took several friends for drive
around the town, to show them the new houses
he is building. OF these there are twenty
now in progress. These neat cottages are de-
signed to make freeholders OF people of small
means. Each dwelling is set in a quarter
acre plot and surrounded with appropriate
shrubbery.
"Why, Governor" said one of tho party,
YOU are quite an extensive builder
\ Well" he gaily replied, show many
houses do you suppose have built in Au.
burn ?n
Nobody could guess, so he told them he
had erected no less than one hundred aud
sixty. He began about twenty-five years
ago lie had good deal of land, some of it
hcduired through his wife. but most of il by
purchase. He had two Irishmen in his EN-.
ploy, Michael, a mason. and Patrick, car.
nenter. These were good. faithful men. who
did their work honestly and we'll One day
he drew plan for n cottage, and told them
to build it, keeping accurate account of the