Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-30
The (uStiS Family.

always as an amiabIe, upright and accomplish
ed gentleman. Had he been born poor he
would probably have attained great distinction
in some one of the learned professions. lie
was a high spirited, sociablc, and patriotic gen.
t)eman, a devoted lover of the National Union,
and a firm supporter of the Cover nment For
the character Of Washington, of whom he was
an adopted son, he ever cherished the most
profound venerat!ou.
Mr., Custis in addition to his being the
grandson of Mrs. Washington, was descend
an, of the celebrated Lord Baltimore, under
whose auspices the State Of Maryland was col
onizcd and the first formal edict Of universal
religious liberation adopted and pronu gated.
The maiden name OF this lady was Calvert.
After the deccasc of her first husband she mar
ried DIR. David Stuart, by whom she bad nu-
mcrous progeny. Many of her descendants OF
the Stuart name, aud under other names also
are yet surviving in Virginia and elsewhere
The second marriage OF Mrs. Custls took place
during the trying days OF the Revolutionary
struggle, and those who still choose to look
| into the matter more deeply will lind among
the letters Of General Washington, puhlls
under the supervision OF Mr. Nparkes, highly
| interesting correspondence relative 70 this same
u.
called General Washington attention 10 the
famous Mazzei letter, written by Mr. Jefferson,
very interesting account OF which Will be
| found in the Life OF Washington by Chief
Justice j uhu Marshall. AS this DIR. Stuart
was the eldest brother Of my own vcncratcd
mother, it may become me to say nothing sI'c-
| cial here in commentator Of his ability, his
| remarkable learning, and the virtues which
adorned his character.
| Mr. Gusts had three sisters, aud no brother.
| Of these three sisters one married Mr.. Law
| renee Lewis, of Fairfax county, In the State
of Virginia. Him | remember we'll and | en-
| trely concur with those who supposed HIM to
exhibit ii most remarkable likcucsS in person
TO General Washington, whose nephew he was;
at least he was 80 much like the best pictures
of Washington that he might be well supposed
BY one who did not know otherwise to have ac-
tuay sa, for them. \ second oi' the Miss
Custiscs married a MIR. John Law, Il brother Of
Lord Peterborough Of Engaud. Mr.. Law
! had spent the early portion OF his Lie in the
East Indies. He is reported to have been IL
man of much learning aud OF great a,tutcucss,
but must have been also very eccentric III his
temper and his habits Of life. 1t is stated of
him that his mind was III general SO deeply oc-
cupled with matters of al abstract character,
that he became occasionally obIrlous OF ordl-
nary conccrns including even his own name,
and that having called one day at the post"ttcc
for letters one of the clerks there, who did not
became painfully embarrassed. Name =
"Name - he said, and nut being able to
give the desired information on the subject,
he suddenly turned away from the postOficc
window aud moved rapidly toward his home,
for the purpose Of there refreshing his mcmory,
when, meeting some acquaintance who said to
him, Good morning, MIR. Law" he at orce
exclaimed, "Ah, that Is the namc, and went
back quickly to the postotice to get possession
of his letters there remaining.
Mrs. Peter [ knew for many years: She
must have been exceedingly handsome IN early
life. When I last saw her, in 1871, she was
noble looking person, full Of life and lnte-
cence. 1t was 10 her that one OF the most
beautiful and interesting letters ever written
bv Washington was addressed, On the occasion
of her attending the first public social party.
There is a paternal tenderness displayed IN this
letter, set of, as it is, with an exquisite play
of humor, that presents Washington in one Of
his most captivating aspects. No one can now
read this epistle without loving this great and
good man far more than he could we'll have
done had he never seen its contents. Mrs
Peter left several descendants, who are favor
ably known to the history OF the country. She
was a woman Of large Intelligence aud OF count
less virtues.
THE "DucAL ALLOWANCE III the Brit
ish House of Commons yesterday the Queen s
message touching the marriage Of the Duke of
Edinburgh was resumed. Mr.. Gladstone made
speech urging the grant of the allowance
asked. He referred to numerous preccdents,
and set forth the suspicious character OF the
approaching alliance. Royal marriages, he said,
rarely had political or dip lomatlc significance
in these days; but this union, while it was one
! of mutual affection, would be new tie between
| England and what some regarded as hostile
State; it would cause favorable change 10 the
public feeling toward Russia. No tlmc could
be more satisfactory for such an alliance than
the present. He paid a glowing tribute OF
praise to the Emperor Alexander for the eman
cipation OF serfs He then moved that t23, 900
per annum be granted the Prince and Princess,
| and e6, 600 to the latter 10 cases she survives
her husband. In conclusion, he deprecated
discussion of character likely to destroy the
graccfulness of the act p \. Taylor, member
| for Leicester, said he could not vote for the
| motion. He regarded the proposition as I'M
warranted and incxpcdient aid declared he
should oppose a second Of the bill wherein the
money was appropriated. James Holt one of
the members from Lancashire, inquired wheth-
er the Grand Duchess Alexaudroona pre-
posed to conform to the Church of England
Mr.. Gladstone replied this could not be re-
quired of her by act of succession, because she
could not be an heir to the throne. lie added
that to push this question would be odious
| and insulting to the parties concerned Mr.
Ncwdegatc suggested that as the issue might
become heirs the question raised was peril
nent. After further debate it was moved that
the necessary appropriation bill be introduced
tomorrow. In the House of Lords the motion
for the annual allowance to the royal pair was
carried unanimously without debate.
a WATER TESLA English technical pc
riodcal points out an easy way OF testing whcth.
err water is good and fit Tor general use. 1t
says.