The Atlanta constitution., 1894-05-21

.
ROAD THROUGH THE PINES,
Leading to the OlQ COuper Place, on Can
mons Point, st. Simon's Island
ton was received with no little pleasure by
the people of Georgia. There were hum
dreds living on the coast who associated
the name of the eminent clergyman with
that of a tail Englishman who landed at
Darien in 1869 and made his way to a rice
plantation near that town,
Many Of the inhabitants down in those
regions have wondered il there was any
connection between the two men, but they
have scarcely dared to dream that the ia
nous dean is the same individual.
The fact is, MIR. Leigh was resident here
for quite d while. and the state of Geor-
gia regards with some pride this first &c
cIesiastical appointment OF Englands new
prime minister.
Fanny g[emhie's Daughter.
The cause OF Mr. Leigh's departure from
England and his coming to this country
form an interesting story.
1t was early in the forties that Fanny
Kemble, the celebrated actress starred in
London. Her success is a matter of stage
history. In a few days after her appear
ance the whole of London was at her feet.
The charm of her conversation and the
delightful vivacity Of her manner, together
with all the other brilliant social qualities
object OF general attention throughout the
polite world. In every part of the great city
she was Wined and dined by lords and la
dies.
TravelinH with Fanny Kemble, as a mem
Der OF the Orchestrd, was Il man py the
name of Pierce Butler. who subsequently
married her Two daughters sprang from
this alliance Mrs. Wster, of Germantown,
Pa. and Mrs. j. ". Leigh, the wife OF
the newly-appoirted dean Mr.. Butler the
father OF these ladies, owned two pianta-
tions in Georgia. rice plantation near
Dai'irn and the ctber Il sea island cotton
plantation near Brunswick. Mr.. Butler en-
deaYored to rehaDiNtate these plantations
after the war. bat g3nile he was engaged in
this effort he died.
The enterprise M which her father had
failed resumed by his youngest daugh-
ter, Fanny, after his death. She devoted
herself with considerable ardor to this
undertaking, ana under her wise manage
nent both of the plantations began to pros
yer SteaQily. DUrlng her visits to the rlce
plantation in winter she frequently enter
tanned a number OF English celebrities.
among whom was Mr.. }. W. Leigh.
This young gentleman had several years
before entered the ministry and was man
of considerable learning and ability. He
graduated with high honors from Cam
bridge and was catiy distinguished for his
Familiarity with the different governments
Of the world. He was specially interested
in the American people and even prior to
his marriage he made several visits 10 this
country. 1t was on one Of these visits that
he met his future wife at Darien and be-
came the s0u-in-IaW Of the famous
actress. Much OF his time was subsequently
passed III the country where his labOrs were
largely devoted to the evangelzation Of the
negro
Fanny Ncmblc's Book.
ala1, tad n
visitor 1T her husbands plantations, during
the early part Of their married life. She
had very pronounced views in regard to
slavery and has written book which has
been extensively published. In this book
the system OF slave ownership from an
English standpoint was Scathngly con-
Gemned. The home of The actress and her
husband was Ut Germantown, near Phia-
CeIphia, Ia
After the marriage or Mr.. Leigh to the
daughter of Fanny kemble, they spent two
or three years in this country, and made
q number of friends during their term of
residence on ST Simon's island.
Major J. M Couper, of this city, came orig
inally from Glynn county and was near
neighbor OF MI Leigh during his sojourn
in Georgia.
Il knew Mr.. Leigh we'll" said Mr.. Cou-
per. For fifteen years we lived on ad-
joining plantations and during that time
1 was thrown with nm frequently. lie
was a splendid specimen Of manhood, tall,
muscular ana brOad-ShOuldeIed. ready aL
any time for ride on horseback, or a
pull down the Altam5h5I In his boat. He
used to say that his fondness for athletic
sports while at Elton during his school
days developed him Wonderfully in phys
lcai way.
Their home was a place Of Beauty, occu-
pyinS 4 Sequestered curve of the river and
powered amidst the perfume of a large
orange grove and overlooking a boundless
eApdiSe vi the grand sNa MAJ aneS. 1t Was
Il magnificent place to entertain the noted
representatives, of English aristOcracy. And
this is what Mr. Leigh did. There We're
many noted people Who came there to visit.
Il shall never forget the first time I saw
Lord EOsebery. No sounding of drums
or blowing of horns proclaimed his coming,
for the lord was comparatively young and
rather modest in those days. lie had made
his way from Savannah to Da1ien in true
subrosa fashion, and only MIR. Leigh and
his wife knew just what a great man he
was. Even then Lord ROeebery was d
distinguished man in his own country.
''Iie stepped off the steamer at Darien
and went at once to Mr.. Leigh. While there
| saw HIM several times and was often
of the same hunting party.
Lord Rosebery's indi> duality was stril-
ing His pleasant, clean-shayen face save
him an extremely youthful appearance, and
his manner was frank and cordial. There
was no taint, tincture of sno5ism in his
ma ake-up and he always enjoyed heartily
good joke. Lord Rosebery remained there
for several weeks.
''By the way continued Major Couper
"Mr. Leigh was an intense admirer of
Right Rev. John w. Bec]lwith, bishop of
the Protestant Episcopal diocese of Geor-
gia, and during the bishops life he was
often entertained. [ often heard Leigh re-
mark, Bishop Beckwith IS by far the most
eloquent man [ have ever heard
"Mr. Leigh took great interest in the color
ed people and frequently went among them
as teacher. He and Bishop Peckwith
had considered a plan establishing a kind Of
sub-diocese among the negroes OF the state,
which was to be the basis upon which aux
Hilary negro dioceses should be established.