Middletown transcript., 1873-08-30
Popular Mistellanu.
MRS. ROBERT E. LEE.

This venerable lady, who has been pay
ing 4 visit to her relative Mrs. fi,zhugh.
10 Washington. for some weeks past, has
her home in Lexington. During her witt
here she has received in n quiet way every
mark Of esteem and respect to which her
position as the widow Of tho chieftain Of
tho lost cause. and her noble and lofty
traits Of character as woman. render her
30 emincntly entitled.
Tho Washington Republican contains
the following account OF an Interview with
Mrs Lee. which took place on Tuesday,
at the residence Of Mrs Filzhugh
Ars. Lee. widow of the late cncral
Rober, T. Lee. is granddaughter Of the
wife of George Washington aud daughter
Of George Washington Parke Cnstis. whom
Washington adopted a. tho age Of six
months Mrs, Lee is, apparently. abou,
sixty years of age She is lady whose
noble character aud Christian graces rem
der her an object Of reverence to all who
meet her Her mind is richly stored with
the recolleetinns Of patriotic. cultivated,
aud distinguished persuh, who will ever
be prominent in our national history as
among our Governments wiscst statesmen.
aud ss,nc Of whom we're her own ncares,
kiusmcn In her childhood tho home and
family and associates Of the great Wash.
ington and his digui6ed and beautiful wife
were all familiar.
The homc Of her youth aud married life
lArliugton) was built by her father George
Washington Pnrkc Gusts To this charm.
ing place she was carried when only one
month old, aud all the associations of her
life center in and cling TO this spot.
Amoug tie classical locali,ie. which our
Government claims as its property Airing.
tou Is one Of the frat, aud is almost equal
tn Mt Vernon 10 its historical memories
Here were entertained all the statesmen
aud men Of letters prominent in our early
history. Here all distinguished mcn. for
cigner. we're invited in the name Of Amer.
ican hospitality, and year after year, a'
summer restored her beauties to the yard,
and gardens and fields Of this noble estate
which included IN its limits eleven handred
acres. all American visitors were mad.
free guests to enjoy the cool retreats, ana
FREQ to examine the instructive relics
books aud papers there preserved.
Opeu-handed hospitality rcigned at Ar
lins.ou. In 1882 Mary Gusts married
Robert Il. Ice. Her father. Georg,
Washington Parke Custis. dying 10 1887
gave to Mrs. Lee. BY his will. tho cn,ir'
Arlington estate. The terms Of the vii
vested the property in her absolutely. BE
yond ths simple duties Of an executor
General Lee had no control Of the proper
~. and never, either before or since. as
sumsd or attempted to assume . singh
right Of ownership.
Mrs. General Leo has for many year
been . great sufferer from inAammator!
rhsumatism. and quito unable to NOV,
without assistance but in her age and af
fiction she hiss noble aud dgni6sd coun
tsnancc. Her features much resembl
those Of Martha Washington. With be
ssd yet 6rm expression Of face and eyes
bsautiful and sparkling with the uncom
mon Intelligence which marks her cenvcr
satiou; with her almost snowy hair. Gns
son. aud in waves aud curls. framing he
foil forehead and covered BY her plail
widows cap. she sits before ono . gran,
and lovely picture. combining within i.ssl
much Of the history and glory Of the i'm
mortal pas. With the modern eyepts Of on
history.