The Washington times., 1901-09-01

Arlington, Mount Vernon, MOpti
cello. and Montpelier Among the
Best KnOwn-Where Betty wash
ington Lived-Madison'sI IcehOuse
The historic mansions of Virginia
some of them adjacent to this city. have
linked to them a chain of old associa-
tions dear to many Americans. Direct
ly across the river, majestic on its
beautiful wooded height, stands Ar
lington the former home of the Gus
tises, and the Lees. AS is perhaps
well known, the house was erected by
George Washington Parke Custis, in
1902 on land that had been George
Washingtons The massive portico is
said to have been copied from that OF
the Temple of Theseus in Athens. The
beautiful avenues and walks surround
ing the building, are doubtless familiar
to most people in this city.
There are many amusing stories told
of the former life at Arlington. In
1881, Mary. the daughter of Washing
ton Parke Gusts, married Robert Ed
ward Lee, then lieutenant in the
United States army. The ceremony,
which took place at Arlington, was per-
formed by the Rev. William Meade,
afterward a distinguished Bishop of the
diocese of Virginia. On his way to the
wedding he was caught in a heavy
thunderstorm, which played such
havoc with his clerical garb, that he
was forced to borrow raiment from the
brides father. He being tall, and thin.
and Mr.. Custis short and stout, the
effect of the change may be imagined.
Indeed, the reverend gentleman was
probably more anxious for the perform
ance of the ceremony than anyone else,
and, after having got on his surplice
could hardly be induced to remove that
vestment during the ensuing festivities
In those days wedding trips were un-
heard of, and the guests remained at
Arlington for a week of jollification.
Every night, at the hour for retiring.
the servants brought in the brimming
punch bowl, which had been presented
to George Washington by Colonel F'itz-
hugh, former aide camp. Inside
was painted a ship, its hull resting in
the bottom and its masts projecting to
the brim. 1t was a law of the house,
and one that was always strictly en-
forced, to drink down to the hull. The
old rooms, so bare and dismantled now,
have. indeed, witnessed rare scenes of
innocent revelry, and genuine and ele-
CANT hospitality.
Farther down, on the Virginia shore,
is Mount Vernon. No need to descant
on the interest and veneration attach
ing to this former abode of the Father
of His Country" The following exact
from an old letter is a fitting tribute to
this beautiful place and its memories:
There is something pervading this
particular spot which cannot be de-
something in the surroundings
that seems to exact tribute of venera-
ton to the memory of him whose resi-
dence here rendered these grounds hal
lowed in the hearts of his countrymen;
at once simple and sublime,
calm and majestic, even as was Wash
ngton himself"
In the historic town of Fredericks-
burg stands Kenmore, once the home of
Betty, George Washington's only sister.
It is a handsome mansion, with an or
nate interior. Over the mantel in the
drawing room is a representation of one
Of Aesop's Fables, depicted in raised
plaster, which is said to have been de-
signed by George Washington. Similar
adorns the ceilings in all
the rooms. It was the work of an
English soldier captured during the
war and held as prison
er at Fredericksburg. Just as he COM
pleted his task he fell from the scaffold
and was instantly killed.
Mary Washington, mother of George
and Betty, lived in a small house near
Kenmore. During a lingering illness
her daughters more luxurious home,
where she died.
While Thomas Jefferson was in Paris
as Minister of the United States he
wrote to a friend at home:
Il am savage enough to prefer the
woods, the wilds, and the independence
If Monticello to all the brilliant pleas
Tres of the gay metropolis of France"
Monticello crowns the little mountain"
rom which 1t takes its name, and over
ooks the town Of Charlottesville. The
building of the fine old house was one
If the chief tasks of Jefferson's life, and
'or years he devoted to it all the time
md thought he could spare from his
stirring public career. He was less
han thirty years old, and was winning
lis first successes at the bar and In
politics. when he drew the plans for
Monticello with his own hands. His
birthplace at Shadwell, a few miles
,way, had been burned to the ground
Were none of my books saved?"
Jefferson asked of the slave who was
sent TO inform him of the disaster.
No, Massa,'' was the answer, with
look: but" triumphantly,
we saved your fiddle" This fiddle
vas always kept in the library at Mon
icello. The place was the scene of Law
sh entertainment in Jefferson's day.
nd. though the great statesman inher-
ted one fortune and received another
IS his wife's dowry. he died a poor man.
About a score of miles from Monti-
clio is Montpelier. the home of Jeffer-
on's intimate friend and political asso-
late, James Madison. The house is
somewhat imposing structure Of stuc-
.oed brick. Leading up TO the stately
,ortico is a fine avenue of spruce pines, |
,lanted by Madisons own hands. Near |
" is q little Doric temple erected over
n icehouse, which is followed out in |
he ground after the Virginia fashion. |
according to tradition, this was the |