The Washington weekly post., 1899-06-06

chamber ~ Richmond, that in the Uni-
versly of Virginia. and the one In the
Council chamber Of the city Of Savannah
A portrait OF Mrs 4. r. Lee hangs near
the GeneraTs it r. BY Ulke. and shDWs a
strong intellectual, redned, and bensvo-
lent face MrE Lees HkeEess 20 her
Observation-Disclosures. Martha Washington.
b. striking \ likeness % Gen. ". II. F.
Lee. A good portrait in oils, hangs near.
and on either side are those % bis anees-
tors. William Henry FitZhugh and hts
wife the latter a woman In early youth
and % the most delicate beauty. Uncom-
monty interesting are two silhouettes on
pink paper By St. Memin. who left 50
many af our colonial notabiiiles repre-
sented la this unique form ~ portraiture.
These two pictures represent the Baron ot
Rayeusworth and Col George Washing
ton Parke Gusts. Beside the latter Is a
Painting Of his wife. other pictures of
much interest IN the room are two life
size copies in oil of Gen and Mrs Wash
lrgton ln their younger days, by Rem
brandt Pcale.
on the opposite wall hangs a portrait
Of Mrs. W II, r. Lee, the present mis-
tress Of Rayensworih. and she Is sur
rounded by portraits Of her family. She
was a Miss Boiling, OF Virginia, and 70
can claim descent from POCahOGtas.
The silver at RayeBswcrth has much Of
its great historic value. and has come TO
this branch Of the family rom Lees. Gus
tises Parkes. FitzAggAs, and B0iliEgs OF
past days.
Royal silver Service.
Most interesting Of all are a large bas-
I'm nd a
beautifully wrought salver. both bearing
the PaTke cOat-of-arms. They are part Of
service that was presented To Col.
Parke. aId-de-camp 10 the Duke OF MARI
borough. for gallantry displayed at the
Battle Of Blenheim. The story attaching
10 il is that Queen Anne wishing 10 show
the young man her appreciation for his
especial bravery, asked MIN 10 name some
favor she could confer upon him. Wi;h
true chivalry he begged for but portrait
OF herself. This she presented IN form OF
a miniature set with diamonds. but she
afterWard sent him the service Of which
these pieces are part. \ massive stirrup
comes from the Carriers, Of Virginia, also
connected with the Lees. and quaint beer
mLEs, heavy salveTs, and TWO or three
elaborately wrought services form part OF
this rare American collection OF silver.
The upper rooms OF RayeHswoTth form
q perfect treasure house Of antiques IN
pictures. furniture, and ornament ev-
,rythiDg is old. with the graceful
beauty. yet substantially, Os cOlCE!a!
days Some particularly interestln. cid
eugTavings hang in various Of the rooms
some Of them are Hogarth's realistic rep
reseHtations of his life and times, some
are Incorporating portraits OF Cen.
Washington, and there Is an oil painting
Of His Royal Highness, William Angus
tUs, Duke Of Cumberland bearing the
signature OF J. Reynolds. Quite 4 Tard
avis among these seems d portrait OF
Col Gusts. the first husband Of Mrs.
Washington. IL is a little oil painting,
much cracked and i good deal defaced,
i but showing the mellow cClOTing Of !
/ good painting.
/ The mansion has been considerably add
/ ed 10 by its later occupants. a gOOd-slZeC
/ billiard room makes a small west wing
] Il conservatory opening off the dining
/ room makes another, and some Of tht
upper rooms have been mOdeTniZei K
suit the convenience Of Mrs. Lee. Truly
/ Nirginian, however, in all respects, tht
house is cOmplemented by a half dozeI
/ or more small outbuildings that form ;
part of the domestic equipment OF the eS
/ tablishment-the meathouse, smOkehOuse
/ storehOuse. &c.-satellites of an cXten
sive Virginia culinary department.
The exterior Of the house is much beau
titled by a luXuriant growth of Engiisl
ivy. which, with evident affection for thl:
so worthy branch Of a fine old Englisi
family, has taken possession of rverl
inch Of available space Of the high ston'
foundation on which the house ~ests
forming a most artistic groundwork 70
q dignified superstructure.
SUSAN HUNTER.