Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-08
VISIT TO BEAUYOR.
FROM RIcHxoNp 10 The HONE or
NR. DAVIS. q
The Aged Ex-President and Els Surround
ipgs- His Opinion Of Lee ard
Jackson.
lror the pIspatch.I

ipgs- His Opinion Of Lee ard
Jackson.
lror the pispafch.l
A trip from Richmond TO Beauvoir
by the Richmond and Danvills route 70
Atlanta, the Atlanta, West Point and
Montgomery to Montgomery, and
thence by the Louisville and Nashville
railway is quick and comparatively
comfortable, even st this season. Leav-
ing here at 2 A. NJ. on Thursday We
reached Besuvoir--a flag station on the
Louisville and Nashville. half way be-
tween Mobile and New 0rlesns--st
4:40 p. N. Friday.
The first questions asked are
"Where is Mr.. Dsvis's house?" lis
afr. Davis at homer" The grounds
are pointed out as running down to the
station, the large vineyard Of Scupper-
nong grapes forming 4 pleasing con.
trast to the signing pihes around, and
soon the large yard, shaded by live
oaks, is seen, and the dim outlines OF
the cottages and mansion, IS we hurry
along the road to the house Of rels-
tive on the beach, several hundred
Yards below. But / was greatly dis
appointed to learn that Mr.. Davis had
received q summons TO his plantation
up on the Mississippi river, and had
left several days before
lhad, however, o very pleasant time-
gazing on the beautiful Gull, breathing
It's salt breezes, dipping in its brine,
catching fish every morning for break
fast, making some very pleasant &C.
auaintances, &c.-snd made most en-
Joy able visit to BeauVoir, where Mrs.
Davis and Miss Winnie entertained me
in most agreeable style.
THE HOUSE AND GROUNDS
At this and subsequent visits | had
ample opportunity Of seeing the house
and grounds. The house is large,
double framed building, painted white
and contrasting very pleasantly with
the foliage in which it is embowsred.
A wide versnds runs around it, and .
bioad hall through the centre makes .
very pleasant sittipg.room in the sum-
mer. On either side Of the main build
ipg, ard O few yards from it, are very
neat cottsges, also white, and in the
rear are ample and convenient out
buildings.
The house is very well furnished,
mostly with handsome old furniture,
the walls are adorned with some fine
picture.-some Of them copies Of the
masterpieces of the old masters-snd
the rooms are tsstefully decorated with
brc-a-b,dc and pretty ornaments, many
Of which are the products of the def
fingers and good taste Of Mrs. Davis
ano her accomplished daughters.
Books, carefully selected from stand
ard authors, sGorn the tables or grace
the shelves. In @ word. the stranger
who knew nothing of the occupants
would have only to glance through the
rooms TO see a. once that this is an
abode Of culture, refinement, and
taste.
The grounds are ample, the liye-oaks
ard their hanging moss are very besuti-
ful, the Gulf of Mexico leaves the beach
in front Of the house, and is certainly
ore Of the most beautiful sheets OF
water that the sun shines upon. The
grounds are certainly very beautiful as
hey are, but are capable Of great i'm
pIov.ment, and one could not repress
the wish that our bonored Confederate
chief had the means Of making them
all that his cultivated taste would sug'
gest.
And yet it is source of qualification
10 old Confsderates that our grea'
leader has this quiet retreat where
away from the rushing crowd, on the
soil of bis loved Mississippi, breathing
the he.lthful breezes Of the Gulf that
washes the southern shores Of the Con.
f.deracy, in the shades Of his owl
bone and in the bosom Of his fam
lily, he can spend the evening Of his
busy life, and gil out the record
| Of his great duties and heroic deeds
! But it ought TO be added that his needed
rest snd quiet are often broken BY
| visitor-lovins admirers who are
anxious TO pay their respects and dc
honor to the creates: living American
but too often mere carbohydrates
some Of whom partake Of his hospi
tslity, and then 60 off to write all man
ner Of slsI ders about him.
THE FAMILY.
| would not be guilty Of drawing
aside the veil that concesls from the world
be privacy of the home, or psradlne
before The public even the Danes Of oul
noble women; but the deep interest
sbich our people takein all that con
ceIrs this noble family must be my ex
cuse for saying some things whicf
otherwise night not be admissible.
those who knew Mrs. Davis in othel
days ss q Senator's or Sscretsry's wifi
IN Washington, or as Mistress Of TIT
White House" and "frst lady" o
be COniederacy in Richmond, would
| ind no difficulty in recognizing hel
low, for, though time has wrough
,ome changes in her, she is the SAM
right, genial, cultivated, domssti'
woman, who is equally we'll qualities
20 grace the parlor, preside at a Stat
0uper with historic men IS her guests
attend 20 he minutest details Of he
Housekeeping, or visit her neighbors
IT look sftsr the needy poor.
She is one Of the fines! converse
tionalists ever met, and her recollec
;ions Of society and events in Wash
irg,op, in Richmond, and in Europe
and Of the prominent men and wome'
with whom abe came in contact, ar
SIMPLY charming, and would make
book Of rare interest we're she dis
pc.ed 70 turn hsr attention to author
ship. Devoted TO her husband, an
taking . natural pride in bis fame
81 srecticna,e mother, who dsligh:
in her children and grandchildren