Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-10-29
LETTER FROM RAPPAHANNoCK
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazettel
RAPPAHANNoCK COUNTY, Oct. o.
One of the greatest social events of the
season took place last Thursday night
at "Jessamine Hill," the home of Mr..
and Mrs. George w. Kinsey. 1t was
given in honor of Mr.. and Mrs Wade
Hampton Massey. Mrs. Massey (nee
Miss Lizzie Fletcher is sister Of Mrs.
Kinsey. 1t was mild, serene autumn
night; the sky was without cloud.
The moon was at its full and shone
down so bright upon us that any one
could almost imagine it was noon tide
instead of nearing the witching hours Of
oight. The home of the Kinseys is
lovely old Virginia mansion, which has
been in the family for several genera
tions. In the lovely beauty and quiet
grandeur of this sequestered spot and its
near-distant majestic mountain sur
roundiugs, We found Jessamne Hill
in blaze of glory. For miles around
could be seen the grand illumi.
nation-the prettiest sight ever
seen in our county. As we drove
up to the front entrance gate
(Which is about half a mile from the
nouse). We found it thrown wide open
to bid US welcome, with lanterns swung
high above it. All along the driveway
were lanterns on either side of the road
which looked like long street of some
well lighted city. As we drove up TO the
grove, We found several hundred Jap
anese lanterns hung on every tree while
long string OF every shape and hue
were hung across the front poriico.
When we entered the house we we're
met at the entrance by our genial host,
Mr. Kinsey, who bade Us welcome in
his usual hospitable manner, which at
ouce put every one at ease. a little
farther on we were met by our charm
ing hostess in her mild and gentle way.
Tue house was beautifully decorated
with evergreens and autumn leaves Of
every tint. The ample porticos to the
rear of the house were adorned with
curtains aud rugs in trne Oriental sty lie.
Here sweethearts could ''look love 10
eyes which spake again" The music,
which was furnished by Dungeons
ba I'd, of Front r 'yal, had commenced
and every one seemed to catch the in
lection and stepped along with new
animation AMI a goodly feeling OF
pride. Every one was in full evening
dress, which gave brilliuncy to the
scene; heecy dresses. snowy and soft,
subdued the more splendid colors with
the effect of purest clouds above gor-
geous sunset. Dancing began at 10 p.
N. and kept up until 1:30 a. m., when
the doors of the spacious dining rooms
were thrown open and we were invited
to partake of every thing good for the
inner man. Turkeys, chickens, shoat,
roasted whole, (Which reminded US of
the days of yore c'fo de wary, meats
aud salads of every description, while
the punch bowls of immense SIZE made
you feel very merry even to look at them
All! what's better then claret punch and
then, too, when you have plenty and to
spare of it. There were ices of all kinds
andcakes of every name, confectionaries
and fruits, too numerous to mention.
Our host was here, there and every
where and our hostess was fitting
about to see that every one was having
.,ood time, and they cere. The supper
vas attended to by a caterer from Win
chester. After supper the dance went
on. The hours flew by so rapidly that
when it was time to leave every one
was surprised at the flight of time.
Every one bade adieu TO our host and
hostess. all expressing themselves at
having spent one of the most delightful
nights of their lives and one never 10
be forgotten. As we drove out of the
front gate the words of Everett came
into my mind, Hands of angels, hid
den from mortal eyes, shifted the
scenery of the heavens; the glories of
the night dissolved into the glories Of
the dawn