The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-18
Jefferson DavI. ut Home.


Alighting from the train at Beauvoir Sta
ton. Miss. YOU can sec two or three small
brown structures. q grove OF pines, and the
white vista Of vanishing railway track glitter
ing with millions 81 minute refractions OF the
bright sunshine for miles along its sandy way.
Taking the half-prrceptple roadway 10 your
right. ten or fifteen minutes walk through the
pines brings you to the beach. Here you see n
house built in the airy fashion OF this region Of
perpetual sunshine. This Is the residence OF
the Rev. DR.. Lacock. an aged Episropalian cer-
gymun. once Chaplain to the Duke OF Cam
bridge. Beyontd he reverend gentleman's es-
tate you see. fronting the beach another estate.
the residence OF Mr.. Davis.
Entering the gate. you pass across n lawn dot
ted with live oak and other trees fastooned with
the picturesque Spanish moss Before you II a
low and spacious mansion. painted white. with
broad verandds. AZ either side. trifie nearer
the fence. Is small building. n sort Of pavilion.
While resting on the veranda. waiting for your
letter OF introduction 70 be handed to the mas
ter. your eye takes in the hospltaole provisions
for ease afforded by several comfortable rock
ing chairs table. and settee.
Life here is al fresco. The broad hall which
goes through the house Is open TO the breeze.
but not to the ardent sun. whose rays are inter-
cepted by the veranda, Here. on the front
the South. In full view is the Gulf Of Mexico.
that dazzling. radiant expanse OF shimmering
blue. Its summer waves glide softly. to break
IN lulling sound upon tue white and sparkling
sand. The breeze is laden with the strange per-
fume OF the sea. II Is the land OF the lotus eat
ers where It's always afternoon. Sitting on
this veranda. into what reveries may not the
Confederate ex-President fall. MS he gazrs out
upon this Mexican gulf. which. Ind the dreams
OF the Southern statesman been realized would
have been the inland sea Of mighty empire
stretching 10 the tropics.
was soon summoned to the little pavilion 10
the right of the mansion. This building is di-
vlded into two parts. The rearward Is occu pied
by an ancient and favorite negro servant. whose
idea OF housekeeping is to display his furniture
and tools on his little veranda. He has notion
Of raising vegetable odds and ends in boxes
and his vagaries excite but u smile No one
dreams OF interfering. even for the sake ~ or
der. with the privileges of this ancient servitor
The front portion OF the pavilion is occupied hy
Mr. Davis AS "A library ana study. Here / found
| him. slightly indisposed and lying upon q
| lounge. His manner is genial and very kindly
| with that charming courtesy characteristic oil
| the high bred Southern gentleman.
Seventy years OF age. Mr. Davis has yet fresh
and vigorous look. His hair. moustache. and
whiskers are white IN part. but his eye is bright
| and cheerful His face in repose Is almost SCI
verely intellectual. but the smile which lights
| up his mouth and his quietly cheerful laugh
| dispel the first impression Of codncss. Few OF
our public men have the quiet fascination o
| manner. the old-fnshioned grace. md the
| charming conversational powers Of Jefferson
| Davis. His memory is cApacious and retentive
| One might. with facile phonograph ic pen, col.
lect great stores of "Reminiscences from his lips.