The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-13

came upon a lad who was littering the
college campus with stones. General Lee
remarked: You throw WELL Harry.
Now see If you cannot hit the road with
all those stones you have thrown on the
grass"
Another historic locality which will
doubtless be the mecca OF many visitors
this week is the birthplace Of Gen.
Robert e. Lee, which survives in its old
simplicity. Famous old Stratford on the
Potomac is one of the best preserved of
the colonial homes of Virginia and makes
an impressive picture as 1t stands in the
glow of winter sun, ruggedly simple
and unique In architecture. 1t is a pile
of English brick, contracted somewhat
In the form of n fiattened letter Fl, and
from the high basement to the two clus-
tiers of ehimneys on the roof no orna-
mental features or decorations mar its
simplicity
Stratford. which was named after the
English estate of one OF the early Lees,
was built In the early years of the eight
eenth century, but WINS burned down,
only to be rebuilt in 1720 on its original
pattern through the aid of Queen Char
lotte, who gave $4,000 for the purpose.
The house and grounds are surrounded
by a high brick wall, now broken In
many places. The two original front
gateways were most elaborate, but now
only the remnants of carved sandstone
columns and caps remain. Some distance
from each of the four corners of the
house stand small brick outhouses. One
was the kitchen. as Is evidenced by the
huge crane still over It for swinging the
pots and kettles into place Some dis
lance to one side of the mansion stand
the stable and barns. all in fair condl-
tlon.
The manor-house contains 10 large
rooms. The front door ushers one into
the central hall, which is about 80 feet
square. and serves as n connecting link
between the wings. 1t is paneed in oak
from floor to ceiling. with decorative de.
signs in plaster relieving the panels at
intervals. door on the opposite side
from the one mentioned opens upon
flight OF stone steps which lead down TO
the garden. Each door Is flanked on
either side by large window, and roomy
bookcases with glass doors line the walls.
The drawing room Is on the river side of
the mansion-a spacious, high celinged
room, with generous fireplaces and two
deep recessed windows. corner room
in the right wing is that In which. accord
ing to local tradition, Robert II. Lee was
born. 1t is n large chamber. with many
windows and n cosy fireplace. over which
is n colonial mantel.
After all, however, II Is at Arlington,
on the Potomac, that the present-day WIS.,
ltor is most wildly reminded of General
Lee and the life he loved so we'll. This
beautiful estate-now national ceme-
terry. where 5000 Union and Confeden te
soldiers are buried-ls located opposite the
city of Washington. and 1t was here. as
has been explained. that General Lee
spent all the happiest years of his life.
No person can visit this splendid domain.
with its magnificent trees, its panorama
of the river winding like silver ribbon
In the distance, and It's quaint mansion
rendered distinctive In appearance by
massive Dorlc columns and not gain a
new conception of the matchless peace
and charm and restful content of the life
on the old baronial estates OF the South
In the halcyon days before the war.
The stately Arlington mansion. which
was modelled after the Temple OF Thesus
at Athens, was erected In 1904. 1t is Of
brick covered with stucco. and with Its
two wings has a frontage of more than
40 feet The grand portico is so feet
In width and Is feet In depth Features
of the manor house are the remnants of
the old decorations. including the hunting
scene fresco. which was painted by Cen
eral Lees father-in-law, Mr.. Custis, who.
with his wife. is buried In a quiet nook
In the woods on the Arlington. their
graves being marked by plain marble
shafts. This historic home Is In an excel
lent state of preservation and visitors are
shown oil the apartments OF especial In
terest, including the room In which Gen.
eral Lee was married. There is no rec
ord that General Lee ever returned TO
Arlington after the war. although the
veteran servants ut the mansion have
long been wont TO declare most stead
tasty that Colonel Rob" was seen about
dusk one evening slowly riding through
the grounds In company with General
Grant, and presumably bidding last
farewell to his old home.
WALDON FAWCETT.