The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-24
MRS. Ex-PREsIDENr TYLER.
How She Spent Her summer-Her Every
day Life.

The following letter from the Wash
ingion Post. written from the Allegheny
Springs will be read with interest by the
friends and acquaintance of Mrs. Ex-
President Tyler in this city.
with the exception of few weeks in
the early part Of the season, spent at Old
Point or the Northern seaside resorts,
Mrs. Tyler spends the entire summer with
her daughter, Mrs. VIM. NJ Ellis, in
Montgomery county, few miles from
the Allegheny Springs. The place is
called Madison" and more beauti-
ful one could scarcely be found
anywhere on the face of the globe. Situ-
ated in a valley, right in the midst OF the
mountains, it is almost entirely sur
rounded by them at the back of the
house one has only to pass through the
garden. tiny patch Of corn field, and
there they are in all their grandeur ready
10 be climbed On each side, about
quarter of mile intervenes, quarter of
a mile of beautiful green fields, and
straw stacks, aud grape vines that climb
and cluster about everything, winding
around the trees and banging from them
in festOons like pretty decorations. The
front il beautiful natural terrace ex-
tending to the river Rustic benches
and flowers Of every description are
scattered about in irregular artistic de-
sign, and the whole forms a beautiful
sight for travellers who wind around the
mountain just above the river, and can
get perfect view of the entire place.
Here, in this quiet nest of loyeliness,
Mrs. Tyler spends the warm languid
months in way that TO one, for whom
summer means continual change, spas
modic and light, perpetual heating and
cooling, bathing and dancing and boat
ing and ice drinks, ia perfect mystery
and vet she seems more than content.
Her room, which opens on a long gal
levy that extends the entire length of
the house. Is Characteristic The furni.
ture is ebony, old fashioned In design
and inlaid in handsome French plate
mirrors. Modern chairs OF comfortable
luxuriance, pretty foot stools, and va
ried colOred lamps, together with rugs
and draperies make very attractive
whole, and each article in the room has
a history Of interest
The desk at which she writes, and
which is covered in disorderly fashion
with all the latest magazines and period
icals, gold pens, bronze inkstands, teals
and crested paper, is a relic OF Marie An
toirette; pretty thing OF yellow satin
wood, inlaid with turquoise, surround
ing painted porcelain figures Of cherubs
and cupids. Here Mrs. Tyler spends
much Of her time, reading and writing
in an absorbed fashion, utterly indifier-
ent to the gay world She is constant
reader of newspapers, takes great inter
est in politics and society, but IN laugh
ing way declares she prefers 10 read OF
these trifies TO being in the midst Of
them.
Although her life is OF the simplest
set there is a kind of regal mystery sur
rounding her that mskes her different
from other people ter all She has her
coffee and light breakfast served in her
room, never dresses until - O'clock,
" hen she appears in the parlor in some
pretty morning robe always fastened at
the throat with a pin containing il pic
ture Of her husband, or permits visitors
in her room and sits and talks with them,
ii she is not engaged in writing or read
ing.
A wounded bird, a restless baby, or a
willing flower are tit subjects for her
teudere.t solicitule. She takes great
interest in her baby grandchildren, the
Oldest, about three, being her fayorite
and who sleeps In Tiny bed in one cor
ner Of her room.
She is devoted lover Of nature and
never tires of watching the effects of
sun and shade on the mountains, calling
friends to look at a dying sunset or gath
ering cloud, pointing out beauties in
color and form that 10 the ordinary eye
would pass unnOticed.
At night she wanders out on her bal
cony, and, dreamily lying in hammock
or rocking idly in chair, watches the
moonlight and swaYing trees, while ey-
cry now and then the stiffness is broken
and the darkness lighted by train dash
ing around the mountain. Always ready
with a pretty quotation or sentimental
story Of the past, which she tells with
all the luscious fascination that makes
her such a brilliant conyersationalist
She enters so thoroughly into her subject
that the tear springs to her eye naturally
at the right time, aud the smiles to your
lips unconsciously as one watches her
changing face
Mrs Tyler expects TO spend part Of
next winter In Washington, when she
will introduce into society her grand
daughter, Miss Julia Spencer beauii.
full, sparkling little debutante, with great
wondrous eyes and curly brown hair.