Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-31
Written for THE EVENING Star
A PEEP AT ARLINGTON.

Written for THE EVENING STAR.
A PEEP AT ARLINGTON.
Primitive Simplicity and Generous
Hospitality Sixty Years Ago.
The extreme and uncompromising simplicity
in the style of living that once characterized
the best homes in this country, especially
among the gentry in Virginia and Maryland,
can scarcely be comprehended by the casual
observer of today. Reference is not made to
the style of architecture nor to the arrangement
or quality of the outer building. For with all
our notions in the matter of house construc.
ton, developed in our mansard roofs, italian
villas and Swiss cottages it is very certain that
our country homes do not begin to compare
IN imposing effect with those massive and
stately edifces that graced the earlier half of
this century, and whose capaciousness, solidity
and simple dignity are witnesses to the large,
liberal mind and substantial good taste of our
forefathers. But it was within the home in
the plain and primitive style of dress. furni-
ture and general arrangement that the con-
uast between our mode Of living and that of
our ancestors comes out 80 strikingly. party
OF us were discussing this subject the other day
In some few of its various bearings going
hastily from landmark to landmark, Just to see
how far the country had advanced generally, in
matters social and religious as we'll as political,
since the primal days of its rude, strong young
life.
We glanced for a moment at the Presidents
mansion as it was seen last winter as a fair ex-
ample. Some one present had Just been giving
an account OF one of its superb state entertain
ments, which account had suggested the SUBJ
ject of our conversation. We took survey of
its brilliant doings, its dinners dresses, COLA
tons, decorations, Celebrations and courtly
proceedings generally, and contrasted il all
with the quaint plainness of the time when the
foremost man of the day and one of the wisest
OF our statesmen entered the capital on horse
back and threw the bride over a stake while he
went into the appointed place to take his oath
as President of the United States Next other
contrasts occupied our attention. and then one
OF the party, a noble representative of a noble
past, observed: "Ah, my dear, if you ever
wanted to see simplicity that was representa-
tive you ought to have seen Arlington, the
grand old Arlington, as saw it
SOME SIXTY YEARS AGO.
you have often heard me speak Of my old
time visits to Mount Vernon? Well, it was on one
of these occasions that the whole family was
invited to dine at Arlington. We had gone
from home at s. to Mount Vernon in the
family carriage; in the same style we were of
course to go to Arlington. Aunt and Uncle
Bushrod went along. As the days were the
sHoTt utvs Oh autumn, anu the ROADS the STALL
ing and appalling roads of the old regime,
although we set off quite early in the morning
we were the better part of the day reaching
our destination
"As we neared the front entrance, the man
sion itself stood in such imposing majesty,
without and within Of corresponding
STYLE. But on alighting, what was my
surprise to discover that the fine pill
Jared portico possessed no bottom other than
its own original earth-no marble nor stone
nor material of any sort paved the broad court
just regular dirt floor. as in the primitive
times of old England. 1t was not very regular
either, for this ground work was worn here
and there into hollows and puddles, in which
the water was standing in real barn-yard style.
PRIMITIVE INTERIOR.
"However, the view from this stand was so
striking and the trees and grounds around fine
enough to make you overlook the inequalities
under foot. But as we entered the spacious
hail. from which the ample and high-pitched
rooms opened on each side, what was my amaze
ment again at the exceeding plain and print
tive look of everything that met the eye. The
walls, where one might expect to see the carved
cedar or inlaid wood with rich cornice an
cient frieze. we're positively in the original con-
dition Of naked, upholstered lathes-not even q
touch of paint to relieve the offensive badness.
/ am not certain that there were any carpets,
but all the furniture around was of the plainest
and homeliest sort and in keeping with the sur
rounding walls.
upon these walls-I may as well state the
fact just here, although the observation of 1t
came much later on in the pleasant days en-
tertainment-the only efforts at ornamentation
were some most remarkable efforts Of the mas
ter's pencil. and he was by no means one Of the
old masters OF the art that immortalizes,' as
said slyly to myself and which, / well remem-
Der in the excited state of my fifteen
year-old v1slbles, 1t was very hard to refrain
from saying aloud, as later in the evening our
hospitable host took me from picture to
picture pointing out their peculiar excellencies
and insisted on my admiring these efforts Of
his genius.
"One of these hand daubs, distinctly recall
was horse that was literally drawn and quar-
tered, the hind quarters being perversely and
inexorably huddIed up upon a canvas that
could not possibly have served for more than a
three-quarter likeness of any horse in a normal
condition. have often laughed outright since
then at the adroitness with which, child as
was, while l stoutly maintained my own opinion
signs of it and never uttered word that could
give offense.
GREETED By MRS. GUSTS.
"But to return to our arrival. As we entered
the saloon the gracious and elegant Mrs. Gusts
came forward to meet and to greet US. The
quaintness and drollery of her attire was some
thing that attracted my particular attention.
Inc gown, II not OF callcO, Was OF some material
that was equally homely and unpretentions.
OVERT was worn a domestic apron, which, to the
best of my recollection, was not removed during
the dinner nor the entire day. Around her neck
was a simple white 'kerchief Cambria probably
that was crossed on her breast. Yet this
trying attire did not conceal but rather en-
HANGED the beauty of her face and the cor
dial grace of her manner.
IN MRS. cUsTIs' BED ROOM.
sWhen she took us into her own private apart
ment to remove our wraps it seemed to me that
the appointments of her room were even
palmer than those in the rest of the establish
ment, il that were possible. distinctly recol-
lect that the coverlid on the bed was a home
woven quilt while the toilet, washstand, and
furniture around were such as in the most ordi-
nary home nowadays would be relegated to the
garnet. One thing that particularly claimed
my attention was the number OF spinning
wheels that were in the hall or passageway ad-
joining Mrs. Custis' bed ROOM"
Just at this point the narrator entertained a
faint suspicion that her description might find
its way into print and abruptly broke Oh her
story. She was urged to continue, but firmly
refused, saying: "No indeed. my dear, not
another word. It is contrary to my old-fash-
toned notions TO accept ones hospitality and
then give the public the benefit Of all I see or
hear, like detective. Not another wordr' she
repeated, closing her lips as with sacred seal.
Nor could by any persuasion induce her to
open them again on the subject.
A Moving Plant.