The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-10
1T WAS THE HOME OF LEE
BUT THE ORIGINAL OWSEf
GEORGE WAsHINGT0S PORE cUhii''
Scraps OF Interesting History bro"
Light by Visit to tho IL ORC
llDsion House-Its Master

Who that has stood on the terrace IN
front of Arlington House and beheld ifV"
there the wonderful panorama spfea" o"'
before him, can ever forget the s0''''
Looking across the placid bosom OF the
Potomac. ones gaze rests upon the Magic
CITY. clad in imperial beauty, ana upon
the distant Maryland hills, where ue
sturdy foretts still retain something
Of their primeval strength and grandeur
Yet the chief interest OK the scene does
not lie fin the capital city, rich In historic
suggestion as It is, nor even those distant
hills, where the eye delights 10 Hnser
upon the changing tints thrown by the
setting sun upon the dense forests when
ciothe their sidesThe chief interest OF
it all centres In the Mansion-House ltseii'
an edince OF classical beauty, ana OF such
historic associations that It must a4Ways
be an objective point in this country Do'h
for the tourist and the pilgrim. ioday
Arlington IS the Mecca Of the union so,ul'
the place where rest his heroes ana Where
I'm time he hopes 20 rest htmseiI' Ieople
come in thrOngs 70 Jay their "rea'hs
upon ttiH Sldf'o VA tlAANAAN-N
and upon those Of the thousands or
union dead who sleep beneath the airing
ton oaks. Yet n few come for another sea-
son: in silence and IN tears they come 10
this spot because IL was the home OF Lee
Standing there amidst the matchiesS
beauty and charm OF the scene Keen
or and a truer realization comes 70 lno
Of the character OF Lee and OF the sacr'-
fees which he made In behalf or VIZ
ginia. when, with never look BACK ne
turned forever from the delight Oh ms
home to offer his service to MS hau'c
State. 20.
The builder of Arlington House was geo.
Washington PGrke Custis, the grandson
% Mrs. Washington. aud the adopted son
OF Gen. Washington. over the carry
training OF young Gusts Gen. Washington
exercised the closest SUPERVISION tne
great mans ambition being that ms
adopted son should distinguish himseiI IN
public career. Washlngton's bones
however, were never to be realized Gus
It's. though a lover Of his cOintry ana
willing at any time 20 take up arms IN
her defense. cared nothing for the -ufmon
Of public life but preferred the SOFT arts Oh
peace. and the quiet seclusion or ms peau-
tiful country home In point OF character
GUSTS must have been all that his friends
iOulu Nfrll - ANi AF u AfifA' 'H ttNHt t-r go
Of answering integrity, who abhorred the
lcentious vices enjoyed b. many men ana
who exhibited through his entire life the
lofty spirit of true patriotism and gener-
osity. SO far az public affairs were con
ccrned these strong personal traits were
neutralized by a wOeful lack OF ambition
and energy. Instead Of achieving me
great results IN life which Washington had
desired for him. Custis became simply a
dilettante I'm art and letters He was
graceful and forcible writer, but he gave
TO the world only an imperfect series Of
Iapers on Washington, whom he admired
and reyerenced above all men, with some
fragmentary poems and few poor Dram
rs. lie was an orator Of rare eio1irnc",
but he never used tbs ability, except on
% few Cccasic-s which might be termed
social rather than public. AS a farmer
even he was a thrOrist, a dreamer VINO
made numerous wise, yet positive efforts
10 improve the agricultural methods Of MS
time. Falling, as Gusts did, I'm all pratt
cal undertakings. his character is yet COLI
spicuous as that OF a genial and accom-
plished gentlemen, simple in his habits,
modest in his demeanor answering IN
his integrity and friendships, who. exerci-
sing freely the means Of an ample fortune
end exceptionally artistic tastes created
one Of the most delightful and renowned
homes ever existing in this country.
The estate OF Arlington belonged orlgi-
nally TO the Alexandra family. but was
purchased from II by John Gusts, the
father Of George Washington Parke
Gusts. 1t was the magnificent location Of
this estate which induced Parke Gusts
to select it as a home in preference 70
his other estates, and there en- what is
n fpf no l.rff1
his fine mansion, Arlington House,
which, from its present condition, would
seem 10 have been built for all
tine. The house is modelled after
the ancient Temple of Theseus
at Athens; the tall. massive coll
umns OF the pOrticO are the most
the broad Railways and spacious cham
bers dismantled and bare as they now
stand are suggestive Of comfort and ele-
gance. The young wife who came 20
share the joys and luxuries Of this home,
was Miss Mary Lee Fitzhugh, the
daughter OF Fitzhugh OF Chatham, near
Fredericksburg. Together the two enter
tame dlaNshiy: all hte old Rev
dictionary heroes were welcome at their
board, while the most eminent men of
this country and many distinguished visi-
tors from Europe enjoyed its hospitality.
fine old mansion filled with the handsome
furniture of hundred years ago, the
walls respendent with art treasures, the
whole house aglow with life and comfort.
! Through the open winC1ws comes the
scent Of flowers; the tables and mante!
pieces are adorned with sweetest roses,
and on every side are evidences OF
culture and OF hOusewfely taste Tho
rccms are filled with guests. being serv-
ed by black-faced servaus, neatly dress
ed, and the central figure in all this good
ly throng is the host. the charming Mr.
Gusts. courteous and consi1orate his
anecdotes the best that are told, his Views
on all subjects sound and worthy OF con-
sideration, while the wine which is being
passed is either the finest Burgundy, or
a rare old Madeira bottled somewhere
far back In the eighteenth century
But the feature OF Arlington House
the one in which the Master took most
pride and which never failed 10 impress
the visitor was the collection Of relics
both Of Washington and OF the arr ,5tcrs
Of the Custis family. or these relies the
| portraits there collected were first in
matter Of interest Besides many por-
traits OF members Of the Custis family
there was one OF Washington painted by
| Charles Wilson Peale I'm 1772 representing
him as ne appeared at 40 years Of age.
dressed I'm the costume Of a Virginia COL
onel Of that day; also the famous profile
| Of Washington done by Sharpless. as
! well as profles on copper OF Washington
| and Lafayette. the work Of the Marchi0n-
ess de Brienne, and presented by her TO
! Washington In 17S9 Not the least inter-
esting Of the pictures at Arlington We're
the battle scenes painted by Mr.. Gusts
| himself These were principally painted on