Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-29

carried off bricks as souvenirs and the |
trees about the place are marked up |
with the signatures of visitors.
The parlor of the old house has more
the appearance Of museum than any
thing else. 1t is filled with old relics
and furniture which belonged to the
early settlers Of Virginia. A German
piano in the parlor is several centuries
old and is extremely odd in appearance,
but it is still useful as musical in
strument and the tones are sweet.
Nearly all the furniture in the build
ing is very old, but it is all in good
condition and is being taken excellent
care of. The grounds about this man
sion are pretty and well kept 1t is in
periodicals that Gen. Lee used to re-
ceive are still in the house on exhibit
tion.
Now here is a peculiar, and as yet
unexplained contrast to the Lee man
sion. The birthplace of George Wash
| ington, at Wakefield, about five miles
| from here, is a perfect wreck. Nothing
remains of the old house save the fire
place and chimney, and it is under
stood nobody is looking after that. If
| it is not given some attention soon the
first home of one of the greatest men
the world ever knew will soon have
disappeared and the oblivion will be
impenetrable. 1t seems shame that
the old house should be allowed to fall
to pieces as it is now doing. This,
too, would make nice ornament for
one of the parks in Wilmington.
The old home of Martha Washington
and the monument to her memory,
both of which are at fredericksburg,
are carefully looked after and are in an
excellent state OF preservation. Martha
seems to have had peculiar fasci-
nation for the Virginians, while George
is left to the Nation.
There are many other historic spots
hereabout, and the visitor can learn q
great deal in short time. 1t would
be no surprise to the writer to hear In
few years of the county being cut ur
by trolley or steam railways, as the at.
fractions are so numerous and the
scenery is SO beautiful.
Irvington, watering place neal
Fredericksburg, is also delightful
place. 1t is situated on Carter's creek,
which is fully mile in width anc
there is splendid beach for bathing,
Many Baltimore people spend the sum
mer at Irvington. The wharves alone
the Rappahannock river are quit
numerous, and every time the boa
touches all of the residents for miles
back come down to see the steamer
Genuine plantation negroes sell frui
to the passengers on the boats. On
number of the wharyes can be seer
many of Virginia's prettiest maidens
who are beauty and health combined
Along the two rivers are number o
favorite. spots with sportsmen. Hunt
ing and fishing is exceedingly gooC
along both streams and splendid gam,
is found in the woodlands bordering
the streams.
Taken all in all Richmond county il
one of the most attractive sections o
country the reporter ever had the goot
fortune to see, while the hospitality o
the people is simply Immense. If
person visits one family all of th,
neighbors endeavor to show the visitor
an enjoyable time, and nothing is to-
good or expensive that will in any wa,
add to the comfort or pleasure Of thu
guests. And this is not all. As wa
mentioned above, all seem like on
great family. Ii one farmers is for
tunate in raising a better specimen o
a particular vegetable or fruit he a
once makes it his business to shar
with the neighbors. This is tn
general spirit that prevails, and th
writer is thoroughly convinced tina
there are no better people on earth thai
those residing in Richmond county
Va.