The Ottawa free trader., 1871-04-22
The May Magazines,

Z
The number opens with a suggestive illustrated
article on the "Westover Estate in Virginia."
tracing the interesting fortunes of the Byrd
family in connection with the revolution. The
Monarch of the Mountains" is another profuse-
ly illustrated article on Mt. Blanc. The "Story
OF Punch and Judy" with funny pictures to
match, is complete version of the world.
renowned puppet.drama. The "Florida Reef
series is continued. Also the american Baron"
with its characteristic illustrations. "Frederick
the Great" is completed in this number. "Reli-
gious Relics in London" is an interesting and
timely paper, by Moncure d. Conway. "Ante.
ros' and "Anne Furness' are continued. Be-
sides which there are several pleasant shorter
stories, poetry, Literary Record, Scientific Re.
cord, Historical Record, Editors Drawer. &c.
We make room for a few extracts. The first
is from the "Westover Estate"
The Marquis De Chastellux. in his travels in
America, speaks of the estate at Westover, which
he visited in 1852, as "surpassing all other es.
tates on the river in the magnifcence of its
buildings, the beauty of its situation, and the
pleasures of its society,"" He tells us that "Mrs.
Byrd is the widow of colonel who served in the
war of 1856 and was afterward one of the Coun.
Gil under the British government. His talents,
his personal qualities, and his rches-for he
possessed an immense terr.ery-rendered him
one of the principal personages of the country;
but being spendthrift ana gambler, he left
his affairs at his death in great disorder He
had four children by his first wife, who were al
ready settled in the world ; and has left eight
by his second, Of whom the widow takes care.
She preserves his beautiful house on the James
River, large personal property, a considerable
mum Der of slaves. and some plantations which
SIZE has rendered valuable" He describes her
as ga woman about two.and-forty, with an agree
able countenance aud great sense" :" and init
mates that, although her estate had been visited
by the British, female charms had more to do
with their presence than plunder. She was sus
pected, however, of dealing with the enemy;
and government had once put its seal upon her
papers. "Her two eldest daughters" he says,
spent the last winter at Williamsburg, where
they were greatly complimented by NJ. De Ro-
| chambeauland the whole army"
The last Colonel Byrd remained member of
| the Governors Council until Lord Dunmore got
| into difficulties with the colouists and fed on
board the British war vessels in the river when
the royal government ceased to exist, and the
Council dsbsnded. He must have died SOON
after the commencement of hostlities. Some of
the buildings were burned during the lifetime
of the last Colonel Byrd, and were rebuilt
probably by his widow. We have seen that his
widow saved large portion of his property, and
reared her family at Westover. Three times the
estate was visited by the enemy under Arnold
and Cornwa On the evening of January 8,
1881, Lieutenant. Colonel Simcoe WAS sent from
there with detachment of the Queens Rangers,
to attack body of militia who were ut Charles
City Court House.
During the late war for the Union the man
sion was occupied several times, more notably by
General Mcclellan, while his army was prepar-
ing to take their transports frois Harrson's
Landing.
And here is bit of Punch and Judy:
PUNCH AND JUDY IN EURoPE.-One pleasant
summer day, a few years ago. the writer of this
article was standing with an officer of the Ba.
varian army in the Odeon Platz, at Munich,
watching the entertaining performance of Punch
aud Judy. At the most thrilling moment OF the
mimic tragedy slight movement among the
spectators caused us both to look round and to
my amusement, ind my military friends dis.
may, we encountered the kindly eyes of old
King Leat. Noticing the officers confusion ut
being caught amusiug himself in this rather un.
fashionable manner, the genial old gentleman
pleasantly bade him be ut ease. "You need not
feel ashamed to I've seen here, Herr Lieutenant"
said he; II often stop myself to sac the perform.
ance, and find it very amusing" He remained
u few moments, laughing like the rest OF the
crowd at the droll mimicry of life exhibited IN
the little playhouse, and then, with pleasant
, smile and word, withdrew. The incident was
characteristic of the man and the people. While
he ntood there no one took more notice Of him
than II he had been n private gentleman There
WAS none OF the rude staring to which persons
OF exalted rank are nlways subJected by English
men aud Americ ,n.. Every one quietly attend.
ed to the play until the King took his leave,
when those Immediately about him raised their
hats with every mark of that esteem and atfec.
ITO" Shich even his unfortunate infa,uation for
Loo M"n,ez could not eradicate from the hearts
, IT th. Bav,rian people.
The performance which old King Louis found
~ musing has not been nationalized in this
country. 1t was exhibited for short time ut
popular place ot amusement in this city about IA
year ago. but did not take sutfi i.iently with the
,u""nce to induce the manager to 20 on with it,
II VS. considered silly and stupid: and vet It
may bc made the medium Of the most amusing
wh''H,ic,li,-s In Europe its popularity il uu.
no"rd"d Even royalty, as just related, unbends
| To ENJOY IL; and We are told that so grave and
d's"'hed personsve as an English secretary ot
state /, certain TO be, once paused on his way
from Downing Street to the House ot Commons
on n "iaht of important debate to witness the
whole performances.
ScHlHNEHls MONTHLY begins its second vol.
am" with the May number, which seems TO ex.
""' my previous number the excellence of it's
wings and interest Of its cont~nts. The
ns illustrated article gives an account OF
""n',ers Of the Yellowstone" The subject
""n'inusd IL the June number "Rem,.