Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-25
.IEEEERsoN DAVIS.
The sx Chief of the COnfederacy- His
Hoas-Whers and How he Lives.
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lie inerest upon the continent, RS the
head d a gIeat political movement that
shook tie American Republic to its low
est foundations. His armies marched to
victory IN many a battlefield and his flag
fioated over thirteen Southern States.
That man WIS the President of the Con-
federate St2ss, but now a plain cotton
planter.
There is anlnterest which attaches to
the personal life Of q famous man or
woman that attracts attention 10 the
simplest detils of their existence, SO
that the mot trivial objects connected
with them possess a certain value. 1t
may be in tbs connection that some &C
count of the present home life of Jetfer-
son will proveof interest, and with this
view a few words concerning recent
visit to his residence may not be out OF
place.
A trip to feauvoir, on the Louisville
and Nashville railroad, is in many re-
spects pleasing one. The railway, after
winding through the maze of lakes, bay
Gus and swamls which environs New Or
leans on the eastward, enters the belt or
sandy land winch skirts the shores or
Mississippi SOUND all the way to Mobile.
Tall, long-leaved pines, save where the
land has been CLEARED, cover this region
and advance to theverv edge Ofthe water,
the crystal waves almost beating upon
their roots.
the railroad follows the coast so closely
that it is seldom out OF sight of sea, while
numerous small bays and narrow estua-
ries are crossed on long iron bridges. At
various points along the way are pretty
villages, conveniently placed with regard
TO the railway as well as the sea. They
are popular summer watering places,
and are much resOrted to for bathing and
fishing.
Beauvolr, which is Is miles from New
Orleans, and is nearly midway between
this city and Mobile, is little way sta
ton in the pine woods. Alighting from
the train there walk of a few hundred
yards through a shady lane, with vine
yard on the left hand and the tall, col
umnar pines on the right, brings the visl-
tor to wide gate which gives entrance
into a considerable park. shaded with
groups of pines, avenues of magnolias,
and a few great oaks. These grounds
extend to the verge of low bluh, a
dozen or Is feet high, which looks out on
the level expanse of Mississippi sound,
which is sheltered from the storm tides
OF the open sea by a chain Of low islands
which lie from u to 20 miles of shore.
In the midst of this park stands the
mansion, a square building of ample di-
mansions, constructed OF wood and
painted white. 1t stands on brick pillars
about six feet from the ground, and is
shaded in front by a wide, white cOlumned
and high-rOofed veranda which extends
along the entire front. 1t is In all re-
spects characteristic Southern planta-
Eion house.
On entering by way of the veranda a
spacious nall extending through the en-
tire building appears. 1t is fitted with
grmchairs. ottomans and sofas, and is an
admirable louDgng place in summer with
the sea breezes sweeping through it..
Several cases filled with interesting
lric-a-brac, and number of engraVings
hung on the walls, add to the attractions
bi the place.
To the left are the double parlors or
lrawing-rooms, connected by an arch
way, in which hangs portlere OF Persian
tapestry. The furniture, which was once
ach and handsome and the carpets which
we're of brilliant dyes and luxurious
oepth of pile, are now all worn and faded ;
nevertheless the picture, books, objects
otart and verta with which the rooms
abound give them an air of elegance and
tate which tells of the presence of Gull
tue and re1ntd people, and particularly
OF ovely woman.
There are among the paintings two
criminals or five copies OF Carlo Dolce's
Virgin Saints several engTRvIngs OF
SOM OF Gustave Dore's Bible themes and
othes. A pencil sketch of Christine
Roseti and another of Gabriel Dante
Rosetps wife, from the hand OF the artist
poet himself, are interesting objects.
They we're presented by the artist.
Books With autograph presentations by
the auhors are numerous. A marble
bust Of youag son who died IN the
beauty II childhood stands on a pier
table, Apiano guitar and tiny banjo
speak folthe nelodIc muses.. On every
hand are nementoes of the friendship and
admiration the great Southern leader has
inspired ittbe breasts of those unveXed
by jealous. or prejudice.
All thesehirgs the visitor noted while
the mastery the house was being waited
for. He cane into The drawing-rOom from
a walk in BIZ grounds. He was dressed in
black, WeaIng broad brimmed planters
felt hat andbarrying a walking stick, on
which, howeef, he did not lean. The
old chief was tall and erect, and, save for
his fun While beard and silver hair,
showed no iigls of senility or decay.
His greeting Eas courteous and hospita-
BILE, and whenhs visitor was seated with
him before alright fire of tat pine blaz-
ing in the wide chimney there was some
thing very contgtable and cosy In the
situation.
Mr.. Davis n manner IS entirely free
from ostentatitnlnd is exceedingly SIM
pie and naturalbut always refined and
courteous. In conversation which
touched on the times which necessarily
recalled the prosecutions and malignant
hostility to whicthe had been exposed as
the Confederate Qiaf he never uttered a
harsh or rude wrd. dis power of ex-
preston in speech is very great, how
ever, and when b wishes TO signify con-
demnation or dDlike for a person or
thing, he had no occasion TO give voice TO
his animadyersims Ina violent adjectives.
he managed to Gpfess the most Vigor-
Gus ideas with thH simplest words.
This man, who's 4 relic of a generation
OF great men, fey If whom survive, told
many incidents aid anecdotes Of old
times in the saste and Cabinet. He
was yoked with giants in those days, and
his intercourse win public men OF great
individuality was reh in interesting ex-
periences. Mr.. Da'is' table-talk would
be far more entertaining than the cele-
brated volume Of te poet Samuel Rogers
or his contemporaries. There is no room
here for those incidnts. They would fill
book.
Referring joculaV 10 one Of his visits
Ito Wales, while IL Europe, Mr.. Davis,
who, as are most pf the Davises, is OF
Celtic origin, Weld, Scotch and Irish,
laid that the Wesh claimed him as q
#lmember OF their rae, and on one coca.
bon in the rennrbm slate quarries
1arQe body of miars greeted him as