The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-08-14

stiffness or artlhclaiity IN the conver5a-
tion. but vt once charming abando n
and decorum. whether it was sitting
in group on the piazza watching the
gulf, while the strong salt hreezes
blowing from spice land famed our
faces-or walking through the orange
grove with Mr.. Davis aud the boys-or
snugly ensconced with Mr.. Davis in
his study. / remember ow-devotedly
Mr.. Davis was attached to his son, and
how fondly lie became interested in all
that the bright, frank young fellow
turned his hand to. He was engaged,
with, the help of the body servant. in
building boat, and the President halt
ed us for half f-hour in discussing with
his son the prospects of the venture.
The boy was studious, well-strung, ro-
bust-having the features of his
mother, but many of his fathers char
acteristics altogether an admirable
boy. He died of yellow fever last year,
and with him died the last of his king
ly line.
Mr.. Davis could not have selected a
better place in which to perform the
great work upon which he is engaged.
The house at Beauvior is an immense
roomy mansion. built in the old>fash~
ioned Southern style. The hall is wider
than an ordinary room, and covers more
space than the whole floor of tene-
ment house. 1t was laid with light
mating and in the centre is large
circular damask sofa, the centre piece
rising above the seats holding large
tray Of flowers. The rooms are very
large, and the piazza probably thirty
feet wide, and runs all round the house.
The parlors, dining etc, are
furnished as they are usually furnished
by persons of culture and wealth; but
there was better assortment of large
chairs than I ever saw before.
On the right hand of the house is a
small two room house, built for Mr..
Davis especial nse. This is his work
shop. One room is his library. This
is filed to the ceiling with books, a
step-ladder being necessary to reach the
higher shelves. The books are histo-
ries, ETC., mostly bearing on the late
war In the middle of the room is a
large table on which are various books
and sheets of paper. A large engrav-
ing of sacred character surmounts the
mantel. The next room is intended for
resting in case Mr.. Davis should desire
to lie down. Mr.. Davis says that pro-
baby he has an unequalled library of
reference for the great subject in which
he is interested. He says he has been
engaged for years in getting together
all the material he could probably
need. and he is now ready for work.
On the left hand side of the houss is
similar building which was Mrs.
Dorsey's study. This was most taste
fully furnished, and contained fine
miscellaneous library, with an immen
sely full collection Of works of South
ern authors. Mrs Dorsey spent the
most of her time in this cozy little re
treat.
Tho grounds about the place ara very
handsome. There are an orange grove,
fine vineyard. orchards, lawns, and
some superb groves. The climate is al
most tropical. aud there is = profusion
of bright and fragrant flowers. was
struck with drove of peacocks. that
made the woods gay with their fine
feathers. These were Mr.. Davis es-
peclal pets, and it was pretty sight
to see HIM feed them, which he did
regularly twice day.