Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-04

Moses. who used to make so much noise
when he came In TO start the fire In the
mornings that one of the party. proba-
blv General Robert F.. Lee, asked him
why he did not come up on a pony.
sydney Smith Lee was the feet captain
Of Commodore Perry when he opened the
ports OF Japan to the world. and the
empire TO Occidental civilization.
A contemporary OF Captain Lees says
OF him that mo man who ever saw him
could forget his beautiful face, charming
personality, and grace OF manner, which.
Joined TO a nobility OF character and good
ness of heart. attracted all who came into
contact with him. and made him the most
generally beloved and popular of men,"
Captain Lee resigned from the navy at
the outbreak OF the war. He died - 1863.
MOTHER OF SEVEN CHILDREN.
The children born of the union of Sgd
ney Leo and Ann Mason were as follows:
Fitzhugh sydney Smith. John Mason,
Henry Carter, Daniel Murray. Robert
Carter. and Elizabeth Mason (died in in
fancy. The surviving children are Gene
raj Fftzhugh Lee; Captain Daniel NJ. Lee,
at whose home Mrs. Lee died Major John
NJ. Lee and Mr.. Robert G. Lee, both OF
Stafford.
Mrs Lee, as a girl and as a woman. to
the time OF her death. was of a remark
ably bright disposition, and though for
the past ten years she had been practi-
cally blind and helpless, she kept up 70
the end, maintaining that sweet serenity
of disposition which had characterized
her through life. Her home life in de-
clining years was ideal. Living in the
quiet of her old country residence, High
land Home" surrounded by her children
1. rt.o t..1I Ilr
the unorowned queen OF the circle.
In her youth Mrs. Lee was very beau
tiful. and portraits taken in those early
DAYS show her to have had a piquant
face. rosy cheeks. brown eyes, wealth
of brown hair. For many years after
her marriage she resided in Washington,
where she was one Of the most admired
women in society. Even at the time of
her death there were in her face still
traces OF the beauty for which she was
noted in earlier days.
CAME HERE TO LIVE.
When Captain Lee resigned from the
United States navy and entered the Con-
federate service. Mrs. Lee came to this
city leaving all her property in the hands
of the enemy. Throughout the war, like
Mrs. Robert e. Lee. she ministered TO
the sick and wounded, and though her
husband and FIVE sons were fighting Tor
their country. she never lost courage,
and never yielded to the fears that tore
the hearts of the wives and mothers OF
those times.
Since the death OF Captain Lee I'm 1869,
Mrs. Lee had resided with her children.
During the administration of General
Lee as Governor of Virginia she re-
sided with him i'm the Executive Mansion
here Although then nearing fourscore
years. the brightness and vivacity Of Mrs.
Lee were the subjects OF comment and
admiration by all who were thrown in
her society.
IDEAL VIRGINIA WOMAN.
She was a beautiful type of Virginia
vomanhood--the womanhood Of byg0ne
DAYS. A sketch of the ideal woman Of
Virginia never does justice to the sub
iect i'm that il cannot present the gen.
tleness. the modesty, the weakness that
is strength In times OF trial, the beauty
of her goodness. OF such women much
cannot be written. The events of their
lives are sacred memories Of the domes-
tic circle, and must forever remain unsul-
lied by profane hands. Their theatre Of
action is the home, and no spectator is
permitted 10 enter its sacred precincts.
Such a woman was Mrs. Lee Her men,
orv is enshrned In the hearts Of those
who knew her. To them her gentle life
filed with works or goodness; her patient
endurance. her never-failing trust in the
eternal wisdom and the love Of Him who
doeth all things well, will continue
through the coming years 10 inspire 70
higher living. and TO make less uneven
the rugged way of life.