登陆注册
15456700000059

第59章 Chapter X President of Washington College(3)

When he first arrived, the family, very naturally, stood a little in awe of him. This feeling, however, was soon dispelled, for his simple and unaffected manners in a short while put them at ease. There were some little children in the house, and they and the General at once became great friends. With these kind and hospitable friends he stayed several days. After being present at a meeting of the board of trustees, he rode Traveller over to the Rockbridge Baths--eleven miles from Lexington--and from there writes to my mother, on September 25th:

"...Am very glad to hear of Rob's arrival. I am sorry that I missed seeing the latter, but find it was necessary that I should have been present at the meeting of the board of trustees on the 20th. They adjourned on the eve of the 21st, and on the morning of the 22d I rode over here, where I found Annie and Miss Belle [Mrs. Chapman Leigh and Miss Belle Harrison, of Brandon, both very dear friends and cousins of my father].... The babies [Mrs. Leigh's] are well and sweet. I have taken the baths every day since my arrival, and like them very much.

In fact, they are delightful, and I wish you were all here to enjoy them.... Annie and Belle go in two, and sometimes three, times a day.

Yesterday I procured some horses and took them up to the top of Jump Mountain, where we had one of the most beautiful views I ever saw.

To-day I could get but one horse, and Miss Belle and I rode up Hays Creek Valley, which possessed beauties of a different kind. I shall return to Lexington on the 29th. I perceive, as yet, no change in my rheumatic affection.... Tell Custis I am much obliged to him for his attention to my baggage. All the articles enumerated by him arrived safely at Colonel Reid's Thursday morning early. I also received the package of letters he sent.... I hope he may receive the appointment at the V. M. I. Everyone interested has expressed a desire he should do so, and I am more desirous than all of them. If he comes by land, he will find the route I took very pleasant, and about 108 miles, namely: 'Bremo'--Dr. Wilmer's--Waynesboro'--Greenville. He will find me at the Lexington Hotel.... I wish you were all here with me. I feel very solitary and miss you all dreadfully. Give much love to the girls and boys--kind remembrances to Mrs. P., Miss Louisa, and Mrs. Thos. Cocke. I have no news. Most affectionately, R. E. Lee.

"P.S.--Annie and Belle send a great deal of love to all. R. E. L."

These little excursions and the meeting with old friends and dear cousins were sources of real enjoyment and grateful rest. The pains of the past, the worries of the present, and the cares for the future were, for the time being, banished. My father earnestly desired a quiet, informal inauguration, and his wish was gratified. On October 2, 1865, in the presence of the trustees, professors and students, after solemn and appropriate prayer by the Rev. W. S. White, D. D., the oldest Christian minister in the town [the father of Professor (or "Captain") White], he took the oath of office as required by the laws of the college, and was thus legally inaugurated as its president.

On October 3d he wrote my mother:

"...I am glad to hear that Rob is improving, and hope you had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Dana [Our old pastor of Christ's Church, Alexandria, the trusted friend of my grandmother and mother, who had baptised all the children at Arlington].... The college opened yesterday, and a fine set of youths, about fifty, made their appearance in a body. It is supposed that many more will be coming during the month. The scarcity of money everywhere embarrasses all proceedings.

General Smith informs me that the Military Institute will commence its exercises on the 16th inst.; and that Custis was unanimously elected to the chair of Civil Engineering [The Virginia Military Institute, a State institution, modelled after the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, was located in Lexington, and its grounds adjoined those of Washington College. Since its foundation in 1839, unto this time, General F. H. Smith had been its superintendent.]. I am living at the Lexington Hotel, and he must come there if he comes up.... The ladies have furnished me a very nice room in the college for my office; new carpet from Baltimore, curtains, etc. They are always doing something kind.... I came up September 30th from the Baths. Annie and Miss Belle still there and very well. They expect to be here on the 10th.... You tell me nothing of the girls. I hope Agnes is getting strong and fat. I wished for them both at the Baths. Annie and Belle were my only companions. I could not trespass upon them always.

The scenery is beautiful here, but I fear it will be locked up in winter by the time you come. Nothing could be more beautiful than the mountains now....

"Most affectionately, R. E. Lee."

In addition to his duties as college president, my father had to make all the arrangements for his new home. The house assigned him by the college was occupied by Dr. Madison, who was to move out as soon as he could. Carpenters, painters and glaziers had to be put to work to get it into condition; furniture, carpets, bedding to be provided, a cook procured, servants and provisions supplied.

My mother was an invalid and absent, and as my sisters were with her, everything down to the minutest details was done by my father's directions and under his superintendence. He had always been noted for his care and attention to the little things, and that trait, apparent in him when a mere lad, practised all through his busy and eventful life, stood him in good stead now. The difficulties to be overcome were made greater by the scarcity and inaccessibility of supplies and workmen and the smallness of his means. In addition, he conducted a large correspondence, always answering every letter.

同类推荐
  • 题侯仙亭

    题侯仙亭

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 巳疟编

    巳疟编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 扫迷帚

    扫迷帚

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • The Guardian Angel

    The Guardian Angel

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 大乘大集地藏十轮经

    大乘大集地藏十轮经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 霸道校草的腹黑小姐

    霸道校草的腹黑小姐

    夏冰雅被自己老妈坑蒙拐骗的骗回国,呜呜,但这理由会吓死人的!妈,人吓人会吓死人的,好吗!!我的小心灵承受不起啊!“你看看你老大不小了,去泪樱?雨学院骗个,不对,钓个金龟婿来!”某人老妈苦口婆心的劝着某夏。“我才多大啊,你看看我才18岁耶,打死我都不去!”某夏说。“不去也行,那就给我去相亲去!我都找好人了!”某人老妈气势汹汹的说。“妈,这都什么时代了!还去相亲什么的!都out了!再次强调打死我不去!”某夏很震惊。“NONONO,这可由不得你选择。不去我也要捆你去!”某人老妈向某人老爸招手,说:“来人!上帮捆住她。”“不要——”某夏胡乱挣扎。
  • 高达Seed:黑暗君主

    高达Seed:黑暗君主

    本书为机战类动漫同人小说,主要讲述鲁鲁修在完成了零之镇魂曲,死后灵魂来到高达seed的故事,随着剧情发展,CC和其它一些原本《叛逆的鲁路修》中的重要角色也会出场,感觉应该会有些烧脑和凄伤。注:纯粹打发时间之作,不保证每日更新。
  • 棍王传奇

    棍王传奇

    修罗转世,再塑不灭的传说。曾经傲视苍穹的战族衰弱到只有一个村落大小,惨招灭族之灾,赤龙子受村长特别照顾化为一片树叶躲过灾难,一心复仇。落难的赤龙子得无名谷收留后,得遇红颜知己——花水月,但命运弄人,失之交臂。勤奋修炼,劫难重重。剧情曲折。修炼融汇古今中外,修仙,魔法,剑仙等等。
  • 那些未能说出口的爱

    那些未能说出口的爱

    每个人都有一段不堪回首的青春,记忆中的故事大同小异,走到最后却都一样的难过。少年们热血沸腾,少女们蠢蠢欲动,无论是爱或者被爱,最终却都只能在欲语还休中被匿封在心底,任由着漫漫尘埃将它覆盖。我们都是时间的奴仆,日复一日。于是,我们都渐渐忘记了,是一种什么样的信念,曾经使我们执着。我们都渐渐忘记了,该用什么来证明,我们曾经爱过。疼痛,变成了我们唯一铭记彼此的方式。伤痕,使我们留给彼此的烙印。
  • 豪门宠婚:娇妻狠毒辣

    豪门宠婚:娇妻狠毒辣

    史上最荒唐的婚姻,因为闺蜜睡了我男人,我竟要和她男人结婚!好不容易谈成条件,却发现婆婆脑残,丈夫愚孝,身残公公和不孝小姑子,一大家子压的我喘不过气,才知道什么叫做自作孽,不可活!直到三个月期满,我才知道为什么人说婚姻是座城。下堂之糟糠,遇初恋情人蠢蠢欲动。是欲情故纵还是另有隐情,我从来看不透他。婚姻是座城,问题是要坐享其城,还要等着城破人毁,端看如何玩转了。
  • 下一个夏天

    下一个夏天

    生活就像潘多拉的盒子,充满荆棘和苦难,但最后仍留给我们宝贵的希望,青春是上帝给予我们的恩赐,它让我们在盛夏光年中成长,聚集又走散,那些美好又不真实的约定,那遥远又无法触及未来,充满了年少的我们对生活的憧憬,对青春的记忆……
  • 雪萧

    雪萧

    国如花,必有枯荣。乱起。江湖三分。血性者一分,奴性者一分,避世者一分。血性者,死,于铁骑。避世者,死半,顺昌逆亡。奴性者,死半,良弓藏,走狗烹。大乱之时,江湖最大;大治之时,江湖最安;大统一之时,江湖最小。这是一个大虞十年风风雨雨里,小男孩的成长的玄幻故事。人生何如?不为大义,且看恩仇?或为红颜一笑?须己身自在。把吴钩看了,栏杆拍遍,潇潇语歇。
  • 命运旅途的指针

    命运旅途的指针

    她们是蜕变的天使。谁说天使一生注定平安、幸福、快乐……我知道午后的清风会唱歌,童年的蝉声它总是跟风一唱一和,当手中握妆华,心墙却变得荒芜,才发现这世上一切都会变卦,当青春剩下日记,乌丝就要变成白发……无论友情,还是……爱情。早已变化。唯一保存的,只剩下那渺渺的友谊岁月……爱情的齿轮一点一点转动,谁能正好接洽上那缺少的部分……
  • 罪之环

    罪之环

    【℡微凉、文学社】不是理所当然吗?你为你的父亲复仇,我为我的父亲战斗。你我之间只能刀锋相见!即使曾经是好友,但在这罪恶的连环之中,我们,都已经停不下来了!我们在天上的父,愿人都尊你的名为圣。愿你的国降临,愿你的旨意行在地上,如同行在天上。我们日用的饮食,今日赐给我们。免我们的债,如同我们免了人的债。不叫我们遇见试探,救我们脱离凶恶因为国度,权柄,荣耀,全是你的,直到永远,阿们。-----------圣经新约.马太福音6章.9--13节
  • 宇宙神弟子逍遥记

    宇宙神弟子逍遥记

    宇宙的诞生,是非常神奇的,它是一个拥有着神奇力量的神所创造的,这个神就是宇宙神,创造宇宙的神。创造了宇宙之后,由于创造宇宙非常消耗能量需要沉睡,不知多少亿年后醒来了,想找到一个传人,看主角怎么走到巅峰,美女、金钱、权利。