Evening star., 1916-02-20

u.
by Bristowe. They have been care
fully kept in their oid-time black wood
en- frames. This room also holds among
its china some pieces OF the white and
gold service made for the marriage of
Lawrence Lewis and Nellie Gusts.
decorated with large gold initials in
the center.
Still more precious is one OF the wine
glasses of the master of Mount Vernon.
showing the craven crest OF the house
of Washington. The trimmed coaster
table often used by the first President.
and on which this glass has doubtless
stood unnumbered times. is now ex-
hibited with the other articles comprts-
ing the Lewis collection" in the Ma
Mrs. Lawrence Lewis. both as Nellie
Custis. the maid Of Moaat Vernon. and
as the wife and mothsr. at Woodlawn.
was one Of the G1st ] 6eautifui rul,v w9psn
Gilbert Stuart bearing out this state
ment All who knew her loved her.
both as the laughing girl at Mount
Vernon and as the dignified mistress
Her information was extensive. her
wit brilliant and her generosity bound
less. She was a devoted friend and a
tender parent. living to the end OF her
life in the enjoyment of her affections.
Her letters attest the fact that she
was an admirable chrcnicler OF events.
and had she chosen to write her me
moirs, as she was frequently urged TO
do, they might have surpassed in In
terest those of Nine. de Sevigne ana
others of equal note. for her pen gave
free utterance to a lively Imagination
and a clear memory.
She said once of her own grandmoth-
er: "Grandmamma always spoiled
Washington. He was the pride of her
heart" This Washington" was George
Washington Parke Custis. her own
younger brother and adopted by Gen
Washington with herself at the death
of their father. She repeated the tale
when it came to her own grandson.
George Washington Lewis, the beauti-
full boy whose portrait now graces the
drawing room wall OF the modern nome
OF his grandson.
This little pictured boy from his ear
liest days was the recipient of many
gifts from his fond grandparent, and
some charming little volumes bound in
tree calf have been carefully kept by
this branch of the family. An early
gift to little George Washington Lewis
from his grandmother is quantity
pictured copy Of Peter Parleys Tales:
with the inscription in her clear hand
writing: &c. W. Lewis, birthday gift
from his grandmother. E. p L., Fen
ruary IL. 1881. on which day he at
tanned his End year"
A later present. given at Christmas
by his grandmother. is The Christian
Keepsake and Missionary Annual A
dainty copy in French OF Paul ct Eir-
ginie" was presented to the lad when
he was fifteen by his cousin. Mary
Custis Lee. the wife of the Confederate
general. A charming little voiume con
tains the valedictory address OF WASH,
States. and it is embellished with a
rare vignette Of the general IN Contl-
rental uniform. 1t bears the autograph
of Lorenzo Lewis.
By far the most interesting and valua-
ble Of the entire set OF books in the per-
sonal collection Of Mr.. Lewis is an orig1-
nal edition Of THE Life OF George wash
ington," by NJ. l.. Weems. formerly rec
tor Of Mount Vernon parish. This bears
the autograph Of the author. and was
presented by him to Lawrence Lewis An
inscription on the following page IN tne
hand Of Eleanor Parke Lewis prssen,ISs pdasi,S
the rare book to her favortte granocniio'
George Washington Lewis.
X
The autl,or is that whimsical old Par
son weems" who gave to the world tnat
largely apocryphal biography OF George
wasbinrton which contains the fable OF
the cherry tree. Even in his own Gay
Parson Weems was hardly taken sefi-
ously. Gen. Washington % evidentiy H. reE Srac-
tica, He doubtless believed him genuine.
q. ha accords him the full respect due
h;. calling but there is a note OF discount
Of his Judgment in the following letter;
Mount Vernon. August q. 1873.
have been duly favored With your lstte! OF
the Goth accompanying The Phiianthropn saa s.,.r
nray YOU to receive my best thanks MUCH tnesea ta
Is it to be wished that the sentiments do. ~
incucate were more prevalent Happy wouia II
he for this country at least. il 1t were 20. ,,ts
Whiie the passions Of mankind are under 80 little
resfrsint as they are among us-and wnle tnefs
are 40 many motives and views. TO Drlng tnem
into action. we may wish for. but will never ses
the ACCOMPLISHMENT Of II.
Your Most obedt. & Hhle seryant
tn Rey,d Mr.. Mason Locke weems.
While Gen. and Mrs. Washington at
tended divine services at Pohick Church
in Mount Vernon parish when 1t was
blessed with an incumbent, they were also
frenuent attendants at Christ Church.
Alexandria, and Washington served To-
many wears as a veStryman in that now
historic house of worship: Mai Lewis
and his wife gave their allegiance to ST.
Paurs, the other Episcopal church in
Alexandria This congregation still holds
as one of it's most cherished possessions
a pulpit Bible which was their gift.
The Lewises have continued their at
tendance at St. Paufs since that day.
when they have been situated near Alex
andria, and it is interesting to find that
the present holder of the name-the third
George Washington Lewis, seventh in di-
rect descent from Martha Washington,
fifth from Lawrence Lewis and Nellie
Custis-is today performing the office OF
vestryman in St. Paul's Church. which
has ministered to so illustrious a line OF
his forefathers.