descends into a valley, spreading away in beautiful and broad expanse to the lovely Potomac.  This part of the splendid estate is apparently a highly-cultivated meadow, the grass waving in the gentle breeze, like the undulating bosom of Old Atlantic.  To the south, north, and west, the grounds are beautifully diversified into hill and valley, and richly stored with oak, willow, and maple, though the oak is the principal wood.  The view from the height is a charming picture.  Washington, Georgetown, and the intermediate Potomac, are all before you in the foreground.”

In this old mansion crowning the grassy hill, the young officer had passed the happiest moments of his life.  All around him were spots associated with his hours of purest enjoyment.  Each object in the house—­the old furniture and very table-sets—­recalled the memory of Washington, and were dear to him.  Here were many pieces of the “Martha Washington china,” portions of the porcelain set presented to Mrs. Washington by Lafayette and others—­in the centre of each piece the monogram “M.W.” with golden rays diverging to the names of the old thirteen States.  Here were also fifty pieces, remnants of the set of one thousand, procured from China by the Cincinnati Society, and presented to Washington—­articles of elaborate decoration in blue and gold, “with the coat-of-arms of the society, held by Fame, with a blue ribbon, from which is suspended the eagle of the order, with a green wreath about its neck, and on its breast a shield representing the inauguration of the order.”  Add to these the tea-table used by Washington and one of his bookcases; old portraits, antique furniture, and other memorials of the Lee family from Stratford—­let the reader imagine the old mansion stored with these priceless relics, and he will understand with what anguish Lee must have contemplated what came duly to pass, the destruction, by rude hands, of objects so dear to him.  That he must have foreseen the fate of his home is certain.  To take sides with Virginia was to give up Arlington to its fate.

There is no proof, however, that this sacrifice of his personal fortunes had any effect upon him.  If he could decide to change his flag, and dissolve every tie which bound him to the old service, he could sacrifice all else without much regret.  No one will be found to say that the hope of rank or emolument in the South influenced him.  The character and whole career of the man contradict the idea.  His ground of action may be summed up in a single sentence.  He went with his State because he believed it was his duty to do so, and because, to ascertain what was his duty, and perform it, was the cardinal maxim of his life.

VIII.

HIS RECEPTION AT RICHMOND.

No sooner had intelligence of Lee’s resignation of his commission in the United States Army reached Richmond, than Governor Letcher appointed him major-general of the military forces of Virginia.  The appointment was confirmed by the convention, rather by acclamation than formal vote; and on the 23d of April, Lee, who had meanwhile left Washington and repaired to Richmond, was honored by a formal presentation to the convention.