The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-30
The Davls-Dorsev Romanoc.

AAANn WINNIE baNlHs TIE DdlShNrt "a
the Confederacy," recall with vivid inter
est a romantic period IN the life and Tor
tunes Of tho leader OF the Lost Cause.
Not only was this daughter the IDOL or
nor father I'm her infancy, but under the
STRESS OF circumstances which found nm
"a prisoner az Fortress Monroe she was
bis joy and comfort IN the prisOnroom.
The taste for reading and literary pur-
suits she cviuced in childhood were fos-
tered with great pride on the part or ner
parents. and when reading together IL was
her fathers delight 20 draw forth ana
listen 20 "Winnic's" prcc0cious remarks.
AT the age OF fifteen. Winnie was sent
abroad 20 reap the advantages Of study
and travel When this school period
was finished she returned 20 her paternal
Instructor and companion. who was then
living a private. retired life, az his pic
turcsquo southern home near the gulf OF
Mississippi. She became 90 one her
fathers assistant In his correspondence
ana literary work and shared with him
likewise In long rides and drives thot
served as restful diversion after hours Of
literary work This was az Bcauvoir, the
country seat around which cling the ling
ering shades OF a romance quite as inter-
estIng I'm detail as any found between the
covers Of popular novel.
.-Beau voir-' was the exclamation or de-
lieht uttered by Airs Dorsey on first
loholdng the beautiful summer residence
the purchase Of which Mr.. Dorsey had
kept as q surprise for his wife Translat-
ing her utterances. Mr.. Dorsey replied.
eyes. it IS beautiful TO see, and Beau
vo.r' shall be IT'S name"
Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey mo Ellis) was OF
a family that took a prominent part In
the settlement of Louisiana and Miss.s-
einpi While IN Mime. Sarazins school
for Young ladies Sarah displayed great
ability IN mastering languages. After
ward 1t was said OF her that she sat In
a room and talked 10 a German I'm his
own language, an italian in his language
"a spaniard IN his language. a French
man in his language and disputed with
n classical scholar questions on Greek
poetry" In drawing she exccileti and
her musical education. begun under
Do1cha. reached such perfection that her
performances on the harp and piano
were worthy ~ "a professor Her mar
rage 10 Samuel ". Dorsey son of CHIEF
Justice Dorsey, Of Maryland occurred IN
1853.
SIR Dorsey was IN inte'lgcnt. well-in-
formed man and readily encouraged his
wlfe's literary aspirations Having no
children and with an ample fortune at
f.- disposal Nrs Dorsey hat exceptional
facilities for the enjoyment OF society
travel and Literature i'm 1870 she made
Cd trip 10 Europe and the acquaintance
then made with Dean stanley Thomas
Carlyle and Herbert Spencer the Eos-
settis and others resulted in correspon-
deuce continued from her loved Beau-
vo.r She was a devout rel.gionist, with
leanines toward symbolic forms.
AS an authOrcss Mrs Dorsey was best
known through the publication OF Agnes
Graham" q book founded upon remark
able and romantic incidents ia her family
history.
Fcryid i'm the accomplishment Of what
ever she undertook. Mrs. Dorsey was just
The sort OF Individual t0 pour li1ations
unou the shrine of wounded endeavor. or
even 90 take upon herself the payment
az her c0untrys debit These may have
been her actultiug motives Boo "a course
which set az defiance some of the strict-
ures of social custom. and bordered-to
say the lelst-on plat0uic affection I'm in-
wiling as guest in her house and finally
adopting ass one OF her family the hero
~ the Southern Coufederacy.
It was in December 1876. after his re-
turn from Europe where hi5 wife and
pet daughter we're still soiourning that
Jefferson Davis accepted Che hospitality
of the Widow D0rsey's beautiful home.
Ills frequent expression n praise I'm words
90 the effect thlt he could Doe happy II
Be1uy0ir was his home. coupled with
paintive relation OF what Doe had sacri-
iced for TIE sake of the Lost Cause, may
have inspired Mrs. Dorsey with au iu-
tent 90 do what lazy in her power as %
Southern woman md "a lover az the South
10 make up 10 Mr. Davis Dis losses.
Tic claim az friendship extending boz