Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-01-01

Iron THE pcsr-ISrrLLIoEscKR.l


the brilliant hos. of American states
men. His life of devoted patriotism,
his genius as an orator, his chivalrous
contests in the national councils, and
not the least, the place he consecrated
as home, are of living interest to tho
American citizen. A hallowed remem-
brance clings to every phase of the pat
riots career; and a few words concern
ing the locality which was the scene of
his domestic life for more than nifty
years, may not be amiss. :,
A half hours or forty minutes Walk
from the city of Lexington brings Us 10
this sacred spot A modest two-story
brick mansion meets the traveller eye
some distance away. Up the well gray
eIed walk. which on one side leads TO
the west door OF the dwelling, and we
enter the sitting room with 10 cosy nfe-
place and homelike appearance. EV-
ervthine wears a venerable, antique
couptenance, and one shares the feeling
so naturally created when lettering
about AN ancient castle, once the abode
of a celebrated character. 80 THIS Is
the home of Henry Clay" says the Wis
itor; and the University Regent, the %
cupant of the house, conducts al into
the parlor. The room il not so light "a
modern hygiene would recommend, but
perhaps its shadowy aspect has grown
with the Iengthening days since the
death hour of it's famous proprietor.
The iatesrnan's library is the iirss object
of interest noticed. 1t is filled with po-
Iitical and historical works, and faith
full watch is kept over il by the bust oil
its once renowned owner. Here he
sought rest from the storm OF public
life. Here he retreated from the ma
tion's paze, sometimes exuiting over
apIendid triumphs, sometimes ranking
with disappointed ambition. NoScoine
spectators as social guests or "a eager
admirers, curious To view Whatever nm
gers about the home of Ashland dead
hero.
Turning our attention to the sur
rounding improvements, a neat barn
and various auxiliary buildings are
seen short distance south OF the dwell
ling. A little southwest is the building
used in connection with the mechani-
cal department of Kentucky Uniysrsi-
ty. and is also the place where the Gov
eminent meteorological observations
are taken. Near by it is a green- house,
containing a fine collection oil nora,
much frequented by the botanical stu
dent. Then, still more distant, IN a
southwesterly course, little more than
one-fourth OF milo, il honlely wood
en- structure. used for slave tenants IN
these ''eviI by-Qone days The states
man often visited this place To drink
from the we'll of delicious cool water
near the tenement house. Or. II he Was
at his library. lor taking a meditativo
ramble down the delightful way head
ing to the public road, the servant was
seen steering for this old we'll. tn bring
its renoyating contents to his Ashland
master.
The landscape features about Ashland
are pleasant. immediately 10 the west
ia n broad, undulating field extending
to the Woodlands. and carpeted with
blue grass; while farther distant To the
south the country sweeps away like a
rolling prairie, dotted here and there
with gentle hills and groves. Surely,
the orators home ass sciations fell in
pleasant places-in e region of all 9th
ers the most beautiful in Kentucky. At
this period of time. as We study the
character of the state5mans oratory,
VIC feel persuaded that its fascinating
style must have been largely inspired
by the charming scenery bordering his
home. The Ashland estate has all the
beauties OF the "Bsne Grass region"
and a person cannot imagine spot
more likely tn lend relief to mind
crazed with public cares. just far
enough from the city's hustle 10 secure
rural quiet, he found his farm VEL
come resort. where his taste for out
door pursuits might DO gratiiied nj
pleasure.
| have spoken of the Woodlands.
They are about one-half or three
fourths of "A miles west of tho Ashland
homestead, toward the city. The great
PaciiicatGr often sought these shades
and solitude. A stone house, now used
for college purposes marks his summer
home. Here, amidst the gently shifting
breezes. sturdy oaken boughs, the flow
or Gardens and music of birds. ha
whiled away many summer hour.
Even at the present time one ON apnre
ciate the Woodlands aa a paradisical
retreat. Oft, on q quiet sunny d,y.
with book III hand under tawsriny
oak, have enjoyed ,he fitting mo
ments; the yerdsnt grass and leaves.
joyous rs IL youth, tho flowers aud
zeptyry waves bringing tropical in
cense. and tie venerable forest trunks
pointing 90 age aud perfection. These
haunt attract not only :he anxious stu
dent, but crowds OF men, women en3
children. AZ frequent times in Summer
the people If Lexington appropriate In
practice the ide.: The Groves we're
Gods first temples The Sunday
schools of the different denominations
meet here to celebrate In SUNDAY
School exerci8es aud picnic sp,rts. With
them congrpeate the Professors Of ~.
secular Institutions, prominent LAWYERS
aud public men, all meeting In merry
pastime: many of them IN vivid reco,
lection of tho time when in these Same
Woodlands they listened. enrap.urea
to the musical voice of Keutucky's paar
less orator. Ga SaIday, tao, In the
afternoon. when the skias shed all their
heavenly beauty. tho pleasure guests.
lovers, and nay say poets. make ex.
cursions hithef, gethsrin flowers, talk |
ing love. aud lraisina the sylvan
charms OF these elaasiaal hauvts,
Lexington, founded near tho begin. |
ming OF the revolutionary war, and
named from, its early bati!e ground, |
exhibits dusty, antique air. The |
growth and finished appearance OF tho
city are not commensurate with its ace |
ana favorable location. A large part
OF the population are negroes. The
greater portion of the remnant belong 10 |
what IL generally called the high bred
aristocracy Of the South"-poIite and |
hospitable. The evil fruits of slavery
are visible here as in many other fair
regions Of the Southern cline.
Pennsylvania. once n leading ius,itu-
ton, the pride of the West, faded with
the days of slavery. That venerable |
Alma Mater is represented by Kentucky |
University, Hooker Female College ana |
other scholastic organizations, now
trying to preserve the rules of ancient
learning.
Such IS Lexington now. Could the
Sage OF Ashland spread his vision over
the city and its vicinity, what chances
would he behold. The slave horde free.
Iransytvania lost in an institutioc colin
SEQ by IN ancestral renown, and his
giant contemporaries. Breckiuriiye.
Crittenden and Marshall, all in their
graves. But these changes are witness
cd by his stone memorial in the Lax.
inRton cemetery. This splendid monu-
mont. ITO feet high, is visible som. dis.
tance away. plainly so from the Ashland
mansion. Standing at the west door a,
sunset, a scene of great attractiou Ia