Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-08-18
Visit 20 ..EEar,lpfon...

"a . 7SEE 10 ''AeGbEkstGn.
On the old stage road from Washington to
Richmond, three miles south OF Bowling
Green, in Caroline county, Va, is tha ssi.
dence of John Hampton DeJarneti9,j esq.
The house is al. immense brick palace, si5
uated in the midst of 6 900 acres Of land, an
inheritance from his fsther; his two b.oto-
ers received each the came heritage. At
tacbed is a noble lawn Of % acres. beEuti-
fully laid OF. whose exquisisely trimmed
sward reminds one Ola velvet carpet, and
the inclination to lie dow and roI is almost
Irresistible. may here mea.ioa thar this
is Que OF tho few places in Td.w6tec Viz
ginia where genuine blue grass IS 10 be
found. Here you may find every Tree that
would delight the fancy Of the rl096 enthus.
iastic arborist-immense cedafs, with their
ever-enduring green stately fl trees, with
their heaven.pOinting spires; inc magnolia,
with all the spiendor ofits bloom and foliage,
and Of such eigauic size, that We further
north can only dream OF, and never rsa,iZe
till We see and all SO diversified as TO pro.
duce the most enchanting effect of harmony
and color. Attached to the house is Il large
conservatory, in which rare exotiGs arc car
ed for. AT the bottom Of the grounds is a
large fish pond stocked mostly with carp,
from which fish weighing from Il, to %
pounds have been taken. This pand is pre-
served simply for tbs use Of his friends
Mr. DeJarnette il descendant Of one of
those noble Huguen0g families who escaped
from France upon the revocation If the
Edict Of Nanta, and his family has been
prominent in affairs OF State from colonial.
times. He is brother CT the late Hen.
Dan'l DeJarnetto. wbo served the State so
faithfully and honcrabiy il Congress baforc
the war, whcn to be q member OF the Ma
tionai Councii was an honor indeed h5
was also memher OF lha Confederate Con
gress. His family still occupy spring
Grove, an old home-plGce few niias dis
tant.
At Hampton, with bis father, res6es his
son, a talented young lawyer. Bo1h father
and son are graduates OF tne UGigeFsty oil
Nrgiaia. The old gentleman deYotes his
time 10 agriculture and though he has an
abundance Of good farming land, finds it
more profitable to give his altention 20
the raising ofsheep and mules than tobacco
crops.
On the portico OF this noble cid mansion,
with It's splendid white columns. wes met
by the aged owner (vergiug on 70 years.,
with that elegant courtesy and warmth of
welcome which neither time nor war can
take from the Virginia gentleman Of The old
regime. Truly may it be said Of him tnat
he has inherited from his French ancestry
the courtly manners OF the grand seigneur.
On entering the wide hall, [ noticed on the
wall bow and arrows, presented by ia.
nous Indian chief 10 Mr. DeJarnet!e when
hunting buffalo on the Platte.
The spacions dininp-rOn-1 with ifr rnas.
sive furniture snd solid old silver, recalls
the olden times. Methought, if this old
room could speak, what tales 'twoud tell OF
beaux and bells, of generous feasts, fsplen.
did cheer, OF grave questions OF politics, in.
voving peace or war, discussed; oil flow of
richest wines and richer flow O. git and re-
partee.
From the ample parlor walls locked down
upon me the portraits of many o generation.
In powdered wig and starched ruff, they
seemed to follow me with ghostly eyes,
whilst was riusing on what brilliant scenes
of revelry and mirth, what ladies fair and
gallant knights they must hsve gazed npon
in days cflong ago.
But must return TO nay generous host,
whose seventy winters though they have
crowned his head with siIvery frost, have
not been ablo to touch the spring ald sum-
mer of his heart. Living, as he does, on the
past and its traditions, 10 hear him talk of
men and things and scenes was rare treat.
He thinks ''the times are out of joint; he
can't comprehend the tricks of trade, the
short cuts, through doubtful ways, TO pre-
ferment. TO take an unfair advantage of
ones neighbor is q something as utterly in
comprehensive to this noble old Roman as
flying to the moon.
I need not ssy with what regret parted
from my kind hosts, father aud son. The
CHEEKY welcome on arriving; the hearty
."god bless you" aud "come again" On leav-
ing; the old generous hospitality dispensed
in such princely style. whilst with them.
have left with nle memory, the charm Of
Cor. Eredericksburn Star.