THE MILES BREvVTON HOUSE

CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES

BY

MARY PRINGLE FROST

Published after her death by her sisters Susan Pringle Frost

and Rebecca Motte Frost

DEDICATED IN LOVING l\tIEMORY

TO

OUR GRANDPARENTS:

WILLIAM BULL PRINGLE

AND

MARY 11 OTTE ALSTON PRINGLE

Who made our childhood in the old home so happy

Fore,vord

By 1\1.abel Goode Frantz

Adages are rooted in kno,vn effects from causes in· human experience. And in this book that one concerning the ,vay to become an author, in spirit and in truth, is again proven: "Look into your heart and write."

In these pages Miss Mary Frost has done just that; so, entering with her through the old doors of the l\1iles ·Brewton house, ,ve enter like,vise into the gentle quiet of her mind, ,vhere for years she has listened to the voice of the house ,vhose story she tells. Truly it is a labor of love; and one for which all those who care about the descent of courage and honor, and steadfast­ ness to posterity from the generations gone before ,vill give her thanks.

It is as if she were peculiarly chosen to give just this gift, of ennobling remembrance, to the world today, that it may pause in its weary ,varfare and fear to be heartened once again by not­ ing the summing-up of what makes life, ahvays and under all conditions, worth the living.

No one could possibly be better equipped for her task than 11:iss Mary is, having lived within the ,valls of her story, and kno\ving the facts and the fancies which they enclose as no one else, perhaps, can kno,v them. Fitting it is that through her gentleness and cultured grace the light of other days should cast its glow upon the present. The style is of simple directness, that places no veil of unnecessary ,vords bet,veen the reader and. the picture in the author's mind. The sturdy chain of history is here, ,vith its binding strength; strung, too, vrith the gay little ornaments of daily use-and-,vont; happy anecdotes; old customs; the domestic and social backgrounds; ,vhile the shado,vs of many sorrows, borne ahvays ,vith the fortitude of faith, brood often over the naive tenderness of the tale. One feels throughout these pages what the author said of the 'small purple blossoms' mingled with the garden's prouder array, "the perfume of soft intent."

We are the better for this privilege of vicarious contact with a wisdom and endurance that have not been forgotten, but which are the foundation stones of these qualities wherever found in the lives of today; for this "background of good cheer; also of merriment; also of prayer ... for the influence of a lovely house and garden.''

In the words of a poem which is quoted in the fragrant garden chapter, this book is "a free gift to the lovers of the past"; and to it let us come,

" . . . . and learn Charity and the winged power to rise, From ashes of an unforgotten past, To calm and dignity beyond emprise."

Charleston, Nov. 14th, 1939 Villa Margherita, Charleston, S. C. Nov. 14, 1939 Dear Miss Mary : Here is your manuscript back, and I can't thank you enough for the privilege of having read it. I am hoping that you will let me see more, and want to come, if you will let me, a little later and ask for it. Though l will phone you first. You know I was presumptious enough to ask to be per­ mitted to write a foreword. Well, I think I can judge by the three chapters I have seen as to the nature of the rest, so I am enclosing ( with the manuscript) the first draft of it, which is, at the same time, the expression of what I think of what you have done. That is why I am not telling it here. I went to the Library and was informed that they had not yet copied Ezra Waite's will, though they intend to do so ; but that you can obtain access to it, and copy it, or what you want from it, by going to the Probate Court in the Court House here, where the will now is. The librarian did not seem to know any­ thing about the map. I think my little visit with you was one of the sweetest spots in my life, and I brought away peace, and an uplifted feeling. Faithfully yours, Mabel G. Frantz. There are so many dear things in the manuscript which I want to talk over with you.

Villa Margherita, Charleston, S. C. Nov. 26, 1939 Dear Miss Mary : Again my ,varm and most' genuine appreciation of the pleas­ ure and honor I have had in reading some of the chapters of your lovely book. As I told you, perusing what you have written ( the recaptur­ ing of the past on paper) puts me into such a vibration of courage and romance that I am lost to the world for a while, and come back with a little start, and a sigh, to the present. But what you tell us is : that the present is founded on that 6 THE l\1ILES BRE\VTON HOL~SE past, so that ,ve n1ay contemplate today ,vith greater calm and faith, for ·what has gone before. I think your craftsn1anship is exquisite. The style so direct and so uniquely s,veet. 1\nd the ,vay you use the excerpts and quotations from other ,vorks is done so naturally-and so in just the right place­ that the even flovv is never interrupted, and one feels that nothing else could have been said just there. Some of the sayings are so very fine: as, for instance, this from the letter of Ed,vard Pringle-''To hin1 and to Charley the death of our dear \\rilliam will be especially sanctified. For \Villiam left them nothing but a noble example, and such a death at their age ,vill have its sacred place for life." And the lovely letter from Charles .A.lston to "Hess" on her marriage. And the phrase from the address of the Rev. John Johnson, "It is a duty ,ve o,ve ourselves as well as to our neighbors to know how to admire." And it struck me as a wonderful thing that Eliza Pinckney, in reading VirgiL decided that the agricultural prodttcts which he mentioned in that noble poem must also be suitable to South Carolina, ,vhereupon she set about to try them. All these anecdotes and little, intimate stories of daily life, and the gro,ving of the generations, make a chain of history far more enchanting than the ,videst statistics could do; and they make good ,vriting. too, for an author's chief ain1 is to accomplish what you do in these pages-the ·transportation of the reader into the vvorld of ,vhich he, or she, ,vrites. Our American, and especially our Southern, people will be glad of this work whenever the "guidance" con1es as to ,vhen they may receive it. And I cannot tell you ( though I tried) ho,v privileged I feel to have seen some of it, and to kno,v of the existence of something so truly a treasure. Next ,veek I plan to go to Beaufort ( the "Baby Charleston") for a fe,v days, and I do ,vant to come and see you again one day, before I go home. \Vith n1y thanks and genuine congratulations, I am, Faithfully your friend, 'Mabel G. Frantz. i-\. CI-I~A.R.LESTON HOUSE

1'here is a house that is like a leisured drean1 delicately poised upon unruffled streams of stillness, sv;eeps line on gracious line of intricate, carved gates and curving stairs- of slender, haughty ,vindo,vs, and ghost like columns, into the calm perfection of re-echoed n1usic. Gardens like old and faded silk trail the rare luster of frail patterns in the sun. There is an easv., flo,v of stairs from floor to floor. There are high roon1s, fretted and traced, paneled and softly ,vhite­ aloft and very still, like exquisite and close guarded thoughts slowly spoken. l\lirrors. blind ,vith age, have sealed spring-flo,ver pink, blue and lilac-blue, and shyer silver, stiff in a lead forgetting. Reticent faces in dull frames recede from day- they are alone like figures in a distant room. Only the gold encrusted curtains ans\\·er a little, ,vhispering to the touch­ stirring a fine, gold glitter in the crystal lamps. Here is a scorn of all ungentle ,vays- 8 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

a gesture of refusal. Here is the pride of silence, the ,visdom of lovely things, a sense of waiting- a little wistful and a little gay. February, 1922 Henry Bellamann.

"Ezra Waite; Civil Architect, House builder in general, and carver, from London, has finished the Architecture, conducted the execution thereof, Viz: in the joiner way all tabernacle frames, ( but that in the dining room excepted) and carved all the said work in the four principal rooms; and also calculated, adjusted, and draw'd at large for to work by, the 1 brick entablature, a·nd carved the same in the front and round the eaves, of Miles Brewton, Esquire's House on White Point for Mr. Moncrieff. If on inspection, of the above mentioned work, and twenty-seven years experience, both in theory and practice, in noblemen and gentlemen's seats, be sufficient to recommend, he flatters himself to give satisfaction to any gentleman, either by plans, sections, elevations, or execution, at his house in King Street, next door to Mr. Wainwright's where architecture is taught by a peculiar method never published in any book extant. "N.B. As Mile Brewton, Esquire's dining room is of a new construction with respect to the finishing of windo,vs and door-ways, it has been industriously propagated by some . . . . that the said \Vaite did not do the Architecture, and conduct the execution thereof. There£ ore, the said \Vaite, begs leave to do himself justice in this public manner, and assure all gentlemen, that he the said Waite, did construct every individual part, and draw'd the same at large for the joiners to work by, and conducted the execution thereof. Any man that can prove to the contrary, the said Waite promises to pay him One Hundred Gui­ neas, as witness my hand, this 22nd day of August, 1769." Ezra Waite. (From the South Carolina Gazette & Country Journal) CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 9

BUILDING MATERIALS

Maurice Ashley in a letter to Lord Ashley writes: "White oak, red oak, black oak, water oak, Spanish oak & live oak, ash, hickory, poplar, beech, elm, laurel, bay, sassaphrage dogwood, black walnut, and in great abundance the pine, cedar & cypress, ,v hich last he calls "wonder£ ully large and tall, and smoothe, of a delicate graine and smells."

"The sawing out of lumber in the ancient saw-pits was a slow operation ... The saw-pit & the cross-cut & rip-saws driven by the hard muscles of brawny negroes, supplied the lumber used for plantation buildings even to the middle of the last cen­ tury.''

Bermuda stone is identical ,vith the Coquina stone used in building by the Spaniards of St. Augustine. This was brought to & used in this province, for we find frequent mention of it in the Minutes of the Commissioners of Fortifications . . . An artificial stone, called "tabby" or "tapia" ,vas largely used from an early period. This was a mixture of lime with crushed shells & gravel, which hardened & was very durable.

The flooring of the old houses ,vas of hard yellow pine, as ,vere the joists, ets. The paneling & lighter work was of cypress, mahogany, or of cedar ... The roofs were of shingles, or slate, or tiles. The tiles of the old roofs remaining are either black or red Due de la Rochefoucalt-Liancourt, 1795: "In different places in this State tile kilns have been erected, which yield their proprietors considerable profit. The tiles cost eleven dollars a thousand". High and ornamental wooden mantelpieces predomi­ nated, but there are numerous instances in ,vhich they were of marble.

It is curious how the names of the earlier architects have been lost unless many of those who in old deeds ,vere called brick­ layers, carpenters or builders combined with the erection of the house, the designing of it. And indeed, upon occasion ,ve find the builder called indifferently the one or the other . . "Died, Mr. Samuel Cardy, Jan. 24, 1774, the ingenious architect who 10 THE l\-IILES BRE\VTON HOUSE undertook, and con1pleated the buiiding of St. l\Iichaers Church in this To,vn."

"Cost of materials of a house intended on the Bay:

50 feet front & 44 feet deep, 2 story high with a hipped ,,·all (?) roof .. to be raised on cellars, 6 feet above the surface ... The ,valls to be three brick thick to the surface, then 2.½ to the first floor, then 2 aII the ,vay up to the roof ... The first story eleven foot and half clear; the second story 14 or 16 feet over the dining room to be coved into the roof & 11 ½ over the others.

"It is very interesting to follo,v the manner of gathering to­ gether aII the materials, for, like his neighbors, 1fr. Pinckney seems himself to have built his house." Brick from various plan­ tations, 4 Pettyanger load of Dorchester sand; the best blac~ cypress lun1ber, pine timber & boards ... pig lead to cast into win­ do,v leads; Lines for pullies; Ironmongers \\,ares; sheet & bar lead; 450 feet stone for paving the Entry; 9-7 Inch plate Chamber locks ,vith brass furniture-6 ,vood stock locks 10 inch; sheet lead for two gutters; Dutch Tiles for chimneys, 40 dozen; 6 pr. large 14 inch H. hinges; 6 dozen strong ½ inch wood scre,vs ; 3 m. 6 d. clouted nails, 37 11. rose 4 d. nails; 600 squares best Ratcliffe Cro,,·n glass 1 lx9 inches.

The Girders & Joists for flooring to be ,vell framed ... & the floor to be ,vell laid & grooved or tongued . . . 14 sash window fran1es, for glass 1lx9-18 panes in each ,vindO'w, to run with double pullies, & to have three-paneled shutters ... One large \T enetian ,vindo,v upon the half-pace of the stairs ... the roof to be ,vell-framed & bound together on ,vall plates & \vith pur­ lines, Diagonal beams~ etc. in order to secure & tye the ,vhole building in; ,vith a proper· pitch Pediment in the front of the roof over the Balconv., .... the ,vhole house within & ,vithout to be finished in a handsome, substantial & workmanlike manner." YIE\\. OF DR.-\ \YI~G-ROO).f CH.-\XDELIER

CHRONICLES i\ND REMINISCENCES 11

THE CHANDELIER The chandelier is a ,vork of Science and Art. It is a structure of glass, beautiful in its sin1plicity and yet intricate in its adorn­ ment of crystals. To construct this chandelier would require a knowledge of glass, an understanding of mathematics and physics; the combining of these into a form of symmetry and beauty. With every hour of the day, with every season of the year the prisms refract the rays of light, ( varying with the sunlight). It n1ay be said that the refractions are never the same; for the combination of earth and sun and atmosphere vary, though the variations be undiscernable to humaa sense ... There are times \\"'hen no colors are seen-the chandelier is then the hue of a pearl and is beautiful only for quiesence and form. There are times of many small jewels of all colors, and times of large and brilliant jewels. In the early morning the western ,vall of the draw­ ing room is covered with the colors of the rainbo,v in the oval forms of the pendants, only larger. One can appreciate this only by seeing it. l\Iy sister Susan called my brother, my sister and my­ self into the room to behold these lights. \Ve four, who are seldom together in the old home, beheld this impressive sight. \\Te ,vho had been brought up in the traditions of the house, to­ gether beheld this work of God. The s,veep of this chandelier as one stands under it is in1- pressive. There are 12 glass arms in the lower tier; 12 in the upper. Both tiers of arms fit into a bo,vl of brass covered ,vith crystal. From this bowl, each arm is formed into t,vo curves. These curves form the s,veep of the chandelier. The arms are solid glass, not round but cut, having 6 angles-they form a part of the iridescence of the chandelier. Each arm has a glass bobeche. ·with a glass ,vindshield. The shield is fitted to the arm by a brass cup. The shields of the lower tier are 9 in. high by 3 in. across the top. Those of the upper tier are smaller. The chandelier has a depth of 6 feet. It has a s,veep of 5 feet. This s,veep diminishes up,vard to an inverted cut glass canopy of about 18 inches. The ,vhole is suspended from the ceiling by a heavy brass chain ,vhich is pinned through the rafter of the ceiling. It ,vas the custom for the bride to stand under the chan­ delier. 12 THE 11ILES BREvVTON HOUSE

Our aunt as a little girl used to play in the lights of the chandelier.

SERVANTS The Servants of whom I know before the War of 1861. Cretia, whom my mother called Utie, was my mother's maid. My grandmother gave to her a Bible : In this Bible was written : Mary M. Pringle. March 9, 1856-To her good and faithful servant Cretia. "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians, Chap. I-v2. As I write I have a sense of the Majesty of God. What human nature is it that would either iriduce or capture people of a certain childlikeness, perhaps gullibility, to leave their homes, to cross the ocean in small sailing vessels. There were reason~ . why they were willing to leave their homes: the same reasons, in part, which prompted English, French, Scotch, Irish. One family of whom I know had brought food for themselves upon the vessel, but shared with those who had insufficient. The voy­ age being long, one child died because of lack of nourishment. I consider: .A. new world! How shall this world be met. Shall we come in reverence-shall we have a reverent thought for the Indians who shyly met us, who graciously supply our needs ?-for the forests-the wild life? We cannot sow and reap unless we make open spaces in the forest. The wild animals, even the birds, must not overcome us. On one side, Indians, fore st, wild Ii f e ; on the other, people coming, ever coming, in small sailing vessels. Perhaps some who come, had it not in their thought to give way to the Indian, to the forest, to the wild life. It was not, perhaps, with them, as with Moses, to hear the voice of God: "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place where­ on thou stand est is holy ground." I read the letters of Eliza Lucas to her father. She writes of her perseverance in the culture of indigo, for three successive years, until she succeeds-the culture of the silk worm until suf­ ficient silk ,vas made to be woven into three beautiful dresses­ she believes that the negro children may help in the culture of silk. She plants a forest of live oak trees. She ahvays writes of her love for the creation of Nature. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 13

Of her sons it was written-"It is difficult to resist the desire to linger with affectionate regard in sight of characters so high, so pure, so true and just in all their dealings. Cultivated in their tastes, and simple in their manners, placed by fortune where the exercise of a graceful hospitality was the habit in their daily life, and the assumption of high duties the natural consequence of their position, brave and gentle, as became earnest men in trying times, able, unselfish, active, thei'r success in life was free from all fever­ ish excitement of political adventure. They sought neither place nor power, but rose gradually from duty to duty, illustrating in the fullness of their lives and services the virtues of the class to which they belonged, and bearing through a long and spotless career, without abuse. The grand old name of gentleman-William Henry Trescot, in his model history of American diplomacy; page 170. (Copied from the Life of Thomas Pinckney by his grandson, Rev. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.)

Amey was the daughter of Cretia. Her husband, Caesar, was hunter, supplying game and fish. I think that he also caned chairs and made baskets. There is a large "fanna basket" in the garret, roughly made, probably for bringing vegetables. Hercules was the coachman. He ,vas so famous that he was chosen to drive the coach which bore the body of John C. Calhoun to St. Philip's Churchyard. He wore a ,vell-made costume of "planes"-\vhite woollen material, somewhat costly. Our grand­ £ather asked ,vhy he wore this heavy suit in summer: he an­ swered : "Kye Boss, ain't you know e bin too hot to wear tin ting.. " An Irish servant once answered to my great grandfather, "Does your Honour expect all the virtues of the human race for so many dollars a month?" Thomas Turner rode the famous horses of vVilliam Alston. Mary Chisoln1 has told me that he must have been part Indian, for he ,vore his hair in two long plaits. \Vm. Alston gave to him his freed om, and left him $600 a year. Our grandmother sent to him his breakfast and our uncle sent his dinner. Mack was much beloved. He and a maid, would lock the drawing room to the keep the children out. They would take 14 THE l\1ILES BRE\iVTON HOUSE the chandelier do\vn, piece by piece; polish and replace it. lVIack became deaf-our grandmother asked him to use an ear trumpet. He answered; '·l\1iss, you can talk to me, but none of dem chillun." Hannah, Cretia's daughter, \vas taught hair-dressing. Lu­ cretia, herself, ,vas taught to n1ake Charlotte Russe. First, the cake must be made, then cut into small circles. A bov,I \Vas lined with these circles; sometimes the circles \vould fall, and the lining n1ust begin over again. The cream was stiffened, I think, with "Iceland Moss", probably over night, since ice ,vas not the custom. To make jelly, the feet of the calf must be boiled. The liquid must be dripped through a flannel bag so that it ,vas as clear as amber. This ,vas stiffened, I think, ,vith izing glass. The sew­ ing ,vas done in the room opening upon the garden. The shirts, cuffs, and collars were made at home. My father has told me that sometimes the collars would slip over one's head, and some­ times one ,vould almost choke. We have books in which our grandmother has ,vritten the garments that she has given to her sons and to the servants. There was a boat-"The l\1ary Pringle", possibly a cypress dugout, which took eight men to row. This brought the rice, corn, provisions, wood from the plantation. This retinue is passed, all passed-this retinue which was gay, which quarrelled or contended, which had a due sense of life and its requirements, or was free and indolent; which created and which gave much solicitude. Shall we believe that this is passed as the de,v? No, this is a part of God's structure, to be recognized and loved throughout eternity.

Mary, daughter of Caesar and Amey, wife of Caesar Chis­ olm, born September, 1851-died November, 1922. lV[ary ,vas a great soul, a great personality. She was the grandchild of Lucretia-:-"Born in your granpa ban," as she used to tell me, holding out her hands. She was the same age as Judge Henry A. 1\1. Smith and Alston Pringle, Jr., and gre,v up \Vith them. It ,vas her part as a girl to mind the little ones while their parents were at work. Our Grandfather called her "Bright Eyes," because she could find a needle ,vhich he had dropped. She was the nurse of "Little Ed,vard". If other children fancied Mary, on the Battery, he would say: ~'Tun roun l\i1amie; tun roun my 1'Iamie." She was also the nurse of my sister Susan, and al- CHRONICLES ~A..ND REMINISCENCES 15 ways with ardent affection, called her "lvfy chile" .... lviary's first husband, Davis, ,vas a fisherman, in a tiny boat ,vith large sails, of the Mosquito Fleet. I-Ie ,\·ent to fish off of South Island: a squall overturned the boat and he was dro,vned. l\Iary liked to tell me ho,v our father ,vould visit her sick boy, asking hin1 ,vhat he \vould like, and giving her change ,vith ,vhich to buy a chicken. He visited this boy very much before he left for his office. \Vhen my father ,vas sick, Mary returning from a short visit to Lincolnville, stopped to visit him. She ,vore a bandana, a hat on top, and a basket on top of the hat. She had brought for my father pork chops, co,vpeas, sweet potatoes. She used to escort me home after an evening with my aunt. She kne,v everyone whom she passed and greeted them as "my sister", " my brudder", "my daalin". Mary was with our aunt during the last years of her life, as her companion and consoler. My aunt would introduce her as "my servant and my friend." She would say : "Mary, remember you are not to leave me.'' Mary did not leave her, day or night, during her last illness. She and my sister staying with her all night after her death. \Vhen the time came for Mary herself to de­ part this life, she turned her face as it ,vere, "toward Jerusalem". She became ill while in the house, was able to reach her room as­ sisted by her son, and never again left it. She expected to de­ part this Ii fe, and so directed her thoughts.- She never once said: "what is happening in the house." The last evening she said : "There will be a high time up there;" referring to her entrace into another life; to her meeting ,vith her God and her dear ones. At midnight her nephe,v tapped upon my windo,v. He said, "Ma gone". My sister and I had been in her room earlier. I awoke my sister: together "'~e went to 1\1ary' s room. There was quiet dignity. Nothing could be done until the Sister, the head of the Society, should arrive. The Sister lived about a mile away, an elderly little ,voman. She came ,vith dignity and did her part. The funeral services were impressive, in the yard and in the church. She had said that she liked the sound of the horses' feet and ,vould have no automobile. The hymn \Vas "Servant of God, well done", and "lay thine arm­ our down". I often think of this hymn: it was rightly chosen. 1\1:ary ,vas in our service as a maid. Her face and figure 16 · THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

were rotund; nevertheless, she was handsome, both in face and figure; engaging, genial, with alertness and intelligence. Though about ten years old at the time of the War, she remembered much of the life before the war, and told us much of interest. I ex­ pected her to live for many years ... she had our interest at heart. When Cousin James died, she said: '·Mek you ain't ask your cousin Kate to let you have the coal." When the coal came, she and others in the yard, helped to bring it up the stairs. When she thought that we were using too much coal, she would tell us of our neighbor who could make a lump of coal last all morning. She gave delight with her fires. Our guests enjoyed nothing so much as to watch Mary's robust figure and gleeful nature mak- ing a fire. Mr. Harvey Gaul, the organist, staid with us. While Mary was making the bed, he asked her to sing Spirituals for him. They went to the piano together; she sang while he played the notes. Mary's son Joseph was a house-cleaner. At the time of his death many tributes of esteem were sent to him. He once packed some portraits to go to France. If I demurred that the packing was too heavy, or too many nails, he would say: "Miss Mamie dis portrait ain't goin' to Summerwill; it's goin' to France." Joseph's two sons are promising youths.

THE GARDEN Many a rose has bloomed in this garden, many a violet. Many a fruit has ripened; many a bird has built its nest. Many a little child has played; many a boy and girl, many a youth and maiden, many a one of riper years. Rooted in the same soil, sharing the sunlight, the raindrops, the gentle ,vinds, the cold, the heat, the drought, the butterflies, the bees, are stately trees and tiny bulbs. Here is the magnolia with its stiff leaf and gorgeous blossom, heavily scented, its cone of sage green studded with red seed. Here is the tamarisk, with its feathery leaf and coral bloom and dark bro,vn bark. Here is the Pride of India v,ith its beautiful reddish bro\vn trunk, its livelv branches high in air, its group of small purple blossoms .I '-· with perfume of soft intent. Here the red Louis Philippe, the pink Duchesse de Brabant, REAR ,·rEnc OF HOUSE .-\XO G.-\RDEX

CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 17 the Devoniensis, developed by N oisette. Here the snowdrop loved by l\Iiles Bre,vton. Here little Susan with her golden curls has rolled her doll carriage in the "shady walk". Here little Rebecca has f ollo,ved Toney the gardener wearing his old felt hat. Here Francis with his short golden curls and laughing eye has gathered his flower. Here the short sun of December, the long, enduring sun of June. Here the crescent moon in the west, the full-orbed moon, the crescent in the east at early morn. Here the children and grandchildren of Alston, Julius, Ed­ ward, Motte, James, Mary, Rebecca have played, and a host of friends with them. Here have come little William Bull, with Isabel his sister, playing, not this time with Toney, but with Aleck. Here they have returned as youth and maiden. Here Alston Hayne, with his wife and son, has rene,ved his boyhood memories ; here Cousin Julia with her children; here Margaret with hers-all bound by the tie of memory and affection. Here a • host, giving their loving tribute, drawn by reverence, romance, a value of what is beautiful. I love old gardens best­ tired old gardens that rest in the sun. There the rusty tamarisk and knotted fig trees lean on the ,valls, and paper-whites break rank to wander carelessly among tall grasses. The yello,v roses climb dovvn from the trellises, and the wistaria goes adventuring to the neighboring trees. The for gotten comfort of the wilderness comes again. The legend of the twis.ted walks is broken, and the marble seats are green like ,voodland banks. Henry Bellamann. 18 THE 11ILES BREWTON HOUSE

A Cl-LA.RLESTON GARDEN Far in the South a magic garden lies, \Valled in, remote and delicately fair, \rVhere yello,v j essamine rings fairy bells, And fragrant olive saturates the air. This garden ,vithin ,valls had many dreams, 0 f lovers trembling to a last caress ; Of white-faced mothers speeding sons to "'·ar Of pain and loss and bitter loneliness. These days have gone, and happiness has come, Not through pursuit, that is too crude a ,vay But a free gift to lovers of the past, Who dream, and dreaming touch that distant day. Dear Garden, let me come to you and learn Charity and the ,vinged pov;er to rise, From ashes of an unforgotten past, To calm and dignity beyond emprise. S. H. H., 1926.

A CHARLESTON GARDEN A lovely garden, bordered by a ,vall, Whose grace£ ul arches, litchen-gray, recall Stories of old Romance and Tragedy­ Phantoms of days long covered by a pall. A ,vondrous garden, open to the sky, \i\Those thrilling songsters each with each n1ay vie In madrigal and canticle of love; Charming the ear ·with tender harn1ony. The shady walks bordered by box and rose Guide to stone seats ,vhere one may find repose From irksome duties and life's cankering care, In glories which the eye and ear disclose. CHRONICLES i\ND REMINISCENCES 19

Purple wistaria, golden jessamine, Tendrils of grape their loving arms ent,vine; Azaleas flaunt their gems of myriad hue; Perfumes of roses thrill the soul, like wine. Sno\\i·drops and jonquils, strings of pearl and gold Border the ""'·alks. Shy violets untold Scatter their amethystine treasures far O'er velvet robe of grass and leafy mold. 0 Garden, ,valling in both earth and sky, Breathe thy courageous soul into me, that I Reflect thy beauty-echo back thy song­ Chanting no line of Ii f e's sad threnody. M. L.

CHARLESTON, 1865 High hangs the wall along the narrow way Tinted by time with green and gold and gray; High in its pride of pillars and of arches, Bright in the sun how valiantly it marches ! Come, though, with me '\\~ithin its garden gateway, Touch it but gently-and you find it straight,vay \Vet ,vith the tears of unforgotten sorro,vs, Dark with the fears of desolate tomorro,vs. But, ever bravely, in the garden closes, Shielding the dark wall, bloom the golden roses. P. H. Holbrook.

"Come ,vith me to the basement floor of the old house into a large roon1 leading out into the garden. On a high stool at an old mahogany table, sits one, no longer very young, and yet she, looks girlish enough, ,vith her rosy cheeks and soft brown hair. In front of her, scattered over the table, is a profusion of flowers, all gathered from the garden, and here and there already made up by her deft fingers into such bouquets as the florists kno,v 20 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE nothing about. This is her talent. She loves the flowers, and the flowers seem to love her, and to arrange themselves as by the magic of her will and fancy, into such gathered and accumulated loveliness as can be found in no other floral decorations. They are eagerly bought by visitors and return her care sevenfold into her bosom. This is a little bit of the rich romance which reality is ever spreading before our eyes and ,vhich we continually pass by without even a loo~, till a poet turns it into beautiful verse, or a painter makes of it a picture that will live." Written of Susan Pringle by her cousin Maria Middleton. Quotations from books belonging to Mary Alston. May- Gather S,v_eet & Pot Herbs ..... mint, balm, sage, thyme, hysop, savory, for drying. Gather all such medicinal herbs as are now in flower. The latter should be always gathered when they begin to flower. They must be cut in a dry day and im­ mediately spread or hung up in a dry room. Never lay those herbs in the sun to dry; for that would exhaust them too much and ren­ der them useless. Cut peppermint for distillery. June- Summer pruning Espalier tree of apples, pears, plums and cherries. 3, 4, 8 "Labor And Time". 34, 5, 8, 6, 7, 8, 44, 52 "Range". "Espalier Trees", 100, 163, 166. "Imported Trees". "Hedge", 170, 1, 5.

THE RESIDENCE OF MILES BRE\VTON THE HOUSE This Residence was completed by Miles Brewton about li65. We do not know the tin1e required to build. The selection and seasoning of lumber would require a period of several years. We kno\v that the foundation ,vas all laid and given time to settle; ·~,,L:_.;~-..

THE ~IILES BRE\YTOX HOCSE

CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 21 that all the timber was carefully chosen and seasoned. It is our tradition that Miles Brewton brought the brick from England. The brick is laid in Flemish bond. The wall is about two and a quarter feet thick for the foundation, which is nine feet high. It then becomes one foot and a half. There is a belt course of brick just below the drawing room floor. The house once had a tiled roof. A handsome carved cornice goes around the entire house. The house consists of a ground floor, rez de chaussee, opening upon the garden; the entrance floor, which is approached by two pair of steps leading to a portico; the drawing roon1 floor and the garret; the hall of the entrance floor is 54 feet one and a quarter inches long by eleven feet, seven inches wide. At the end of the hall is the graceful stairway which leads to the drawing room floor. The columns of the portico are said to be of Portland stone from England; they are twelve feet, one and three­ quarter inches high, by three feet in circumference. The floor of the balcony was covered with lead~ This was taken during the Confederate War of 1861. The floor of the hall is paved with slate-coloured flag stones said to have been brought from England. From this balcony one could see East to the Cooper River. From the upstairs hall looking West there was a lovely view of James Island across the Ashley River. The street was paved with cob­ ble stones. On the opposite side of the street was a large garden in which was the home of Robert Y. Hayne. (This was a simple wooden house). ' The House is of "English brick"; the roof is of slate, former­ ly of tile. There is a ground floor, an entrance floor, the drawing­ room floor and the garret. The adornment consists of a handsome and gracious portico, divided into a porch, ,vhich leads to the en­ trance floor, and a balcony on a level with the drawing-room floor. The porch and balcony are each adorned with four handsome Ionic columns. The roof of the portico is surmounted by a lovely gable, in which is a rose window oval in form. There is the further adorn­ ment of an entablature, carved, which outlines the Portico, and ex­ tends around the house, even to the garden side. The Portico with the steps on either side, extends almost the width of the house. The flight of steps is worthy of consideration; there are five steps, then a landint; three more steps at right angle to the first ; a second landing, three more steps again at right angle, and one 22 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE arrives at the massive front entrance door. The spaciousness of these steps; their leisurely approach to the porch, the sim­ plicity of the iron railing, form a part of the dignity and reserve of the old building. The House is recessed from the street and has, as foreground, a lovely court-yard. There is a handsome brick wall, with heavy square columns. This wall runs parallel with the street on either side of the house, then forms into a beautiful curve to meet the iron rail~ng of the court-yard. The court-yard is enclosed by a brick foundation faced on the top with a granite coping. From this foundation rises the imposing iron railing. The heavy iron gates are in the center. The servants' houses, of which the coach house is a part, are in dignified keeping. Rising almost im­ mediately from the street, and yet with a setting which implies remoteness, this house has stood for nearly two hundred years, endearing itself, bespeaking the word citizenship, friendship, home. This residence was built for strength and beauty-not merely for strength, but that strength might embrace and maintain beau­ ty. Also that strength might exemplify a sense of law and un­ derstanding. This house, lovely and gracious in itself, must have its due surrounding and perspective. These are provided by the curving of the wall, the stately square columns, the coping with heavy iron railing, the graceful double steps leading to the porch. The porch itself, reaching to the second story, supported by handsome columns of stone, and surmounted by a lovely gable, with rose window, is the emblem of graciousness. The visitor approaches the door with varied sentiments­ perhaps with exhilaration, ecstacy, triumph, reverence, devotion. May he always find an answer to his need. The door itself is simple, but imposing. This door opens ,vithout to the street, to the \Vorld ,vithin, to the home .. within, is the stately hall leading to the stairway. The focus of the hall and of the stairway is the Palladian Window, which is beautiful in itself, and gives a vision of light. The view from this window is the garden. The steps lead to the upper hall, to the drawing-room. The visitor is prepared for entrance to the drawing-room by columned door,vay and by CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 23 the stately mahogany door. \,\rithin the depth of the drawing­ room await the host and hostess to welcome their guest. The manners and intercourse of the drawing-room are influenced by the paneled walls, the graceful carving, the full yellow damask curtains, the rich colours of the carpet, the furniture, which be­ speaks dignity and the chandelier. Here is friendliness, solicitude, gaiety. The drawing-room is 28 feet, 7 inches long by 20 feet, eight inches wide. The height of the ,vall is twelve feet to the entabla­ ture. The carving and paneling are of cypress. The floors are of yello,v pine. Many of the boards reach across the floor; these extend the length of the room without joining. The mantel is perhaps of Parian marble and Sienna. The placque in the center is of a pastoral scene, representing the shep­ herd with his sheep and dog. Rising almost immediately from the street, and yet with a setting which implies remoteness, this house has stood for nearly two hundred years, endearing itself, bespeaking the word home, citizenship, friendship. The lines are simple, about 54 feet in width by about 65 feet in length. There is a ground floor, or Rez de Chausee; an entrance floor; the drawing-room floor, and the garret. The adornment of the house consists of a handsome and gracious portico divided into a porch which leads to the entrance floor and, a balcony on a level ,vith the drawing-room floor ; the porch and balcony are each adorned with four handsome Ionic columns. The roof of the portico is surmounted by a lovely gable in which is a rose window, oval in form. The portico with the steps on either side extends almost the width of the house. The flight of steps is ,vorthy of consideration-there are five steps, then a landing ; three more steps at right angle to the first-a second landing, from three more steps at right angle to the sec­ ond flight. The spaciousness of these steps; their leisurely ap­ proach to the porch, the simplicity of the iron railing, form a part of the dignity and reserve of the building. The coach house is in dignified keeping; the entrance to the court is through heavy iron gates, ,vith a lantern on either side. There is a further 24 THE MILES BRE\rVTON HOUSE adornment of an entablature, carved, which outlines the portico, and extends around the house, even on the garden side. The North room upon entrance is said to be the original dining room. Opposite is the South parlour. At the foot of the steps is the breakfast room. It is probable that the second dra,v­ ing-room or the dining room was used as the library ; we know that all houses had valuable books. At the end of the drawing­ room, overlooking the garden, are iron grills. The corners of the room at the ,vindows are cut into graceful curves; the "back band" of the casing of the ,vindows, top and bottom, is broken into an ear of about twelve and a half inches high by three and three-quarter inches wide. All interior doors are of solid mahogany. The room open­ ing on the drawing-room is for the gentlemen. There are two bed rooms on this floor. Two rooms were added to these about 1850. The rafters in the garret are interesting, as are also the rafters in the steeple of St. _Michael's Church. The door step of the entrance is said to be hand-hewn. The heavy entrance door is of cypress. The tiled floor of the entrance hall is of a· violet hue. The rafters under this floor, in the basement, are interesting. The pine steps of the stairway have been worn by many feet; the harder part of the wood stands slightly above the softer part, forming ·a beautiful vein. In the drawing room are the Chippendale chairs; these have been through two wars. The large carved arm chair is from the Court of Louis Phillipe ; the large mirror may likewise have come from this Court; the two large sofas may have been placed in the room by William Alston. They have recently been covered ,vith red damask, said to be of the sixteenth century, a gift. The carpet was brought by a sea captain, some time in 1800; it is woven in one piece, about eighteen and a half feet square. This may be a U shak rug mad( in Asia Minor. The portraits in the drawing room are of l\rfiles Brewton, painted in London in 1756 by Sir. Joshua Reynolds. The present painting being a copy of the original made by Alfred H utty. Also the portraits of Robert Pringle, his son John Julius Pringle, are copied by Mr. Rutty from the miniatures by Charles Fraser. Dr. James Reid, by Jeremiah Theus; \Villiam Alston Pringle by Miss Annie Middleton. Over the mantel is the por­ trait of Mrs. \Villiam Bull Pringle by Sully; the present paint- CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 25 ing is a copy of the original by Mrs. H. V. Snead (Louise Willis) of Charleston. The full length portrait is of Mrs. William Alston by Savage. There is a portrait supposed to be of Mrs. Jacob Motte, Sr.:

"High Betty Martin, tip-toe fine, Couldn't find a husband to suit her mind."

The small portrait in pastelle is of Mrs. Robert Brewton, the mother of Miles Brewton, by Henrietta Johnson, the English pastellist. In the gentlemen's drawing-room is a chest-on-chest "which belonged to my beloved grandmother, Rebecca Motte." In the South parlour is a third part of the dining table. There were three stands; the middle stand was square. Here is the desk belonging to Thomas Horry, with the inscription : "Made by Jacob Saas, 1794". Here is the handsome Bible, printed in Boston, 1822, given by Mrs. William Alston to All Saints' Church, Waccamaw. In the mantel is the head of Sir Henry Clinton, etched by one of his officers. The ceiling is of Adams' Putty, our Aunt Susan Pringle told us. In the dining room (North parlour) is the console, a chandelier for candles, which came from the plantation home ; the horse measure belonging to William Alston; the red cornices which have recently been brought from the garret and restored (the eagles are carved of wood); two handsome vases, recently restored. Also the carpet, which is likt the one in the drawing-room. This was put away damp, after a cyclone and allowed to rot. This carpet was first restored by N oisette, and later by a publisher from Cincinnati, who visited the house and said he "would like the privilege "' weaving in the threads of the carpet" ; so we then sent it to an • , riental dealer in Eastern rugs in King St. In the breakfast room is the dining table, inherited by Francis leJau Frost; the engraving of William Pitt, ,vhich has always been in the house; and the large secretary, which ,vas given by l\1rs. Kennedy Bryan, the daughter of Judge King; it was made on his place in Flat Rock, N. C., from some of the walnut on his estate, by one of the old time carpenters on the place. In the dining room is the portrait of William Bull Pringle. Over the door leading to the hall is a painting of the British Coat 26 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE of Arms, which is copied from the original done in plaster in the Colonial Church of St. James, Goose Creek; the portrait of the Hon. Edward Frost and of his son Ed,vard. These are photo­ graphs done in oil in Manchester, England; the photograph of the portrait of the Rev. Francis leJau; the portrait we think was painted by Irving. In the hall is the chandelier, which was made to burn sperm oil; the old English clock ( which was part of the furnishings of the old Customs House); this clock was bought from the U. S. Government by Francis L. Frost about 1879. In the rez de Chaussee is the sewing room; opposite this is the store-room which had an earthen floor ; next the sewing room was probably the gentlemen's office; opposite this is a room with an earthen floor for wood. In the ceiling of this room are iron hooks for curing food. The lovely gate opening upon the court is of wood. At the West end of the basement floor is the cistern. Upon entering the yard, one is impressed by the picturesqueness of the buildings, and by the solidity of the wall of the house. The doors of the coach house open upon the street. The rooms in the two outside buildings were for the servants, except the kitchen. In the kitchen is the huge open fire, with crane, a wheel for moderating the draft, and ovens. On the outside wall of the kitchen is the Dutch oven, in which we are told, our grandmother had made for her sons every Saturday, ginger bread; this wa$ rolled very thin and cut in squares ; this ginger bread was so much enjoyed that it ,vas known as "Aunt Hess' ginger bread"; Hess being a name by which our grandmother was af­ fectionately kno,vn. Next to the kitchen is the cistern, with its copper pump and square horse trough. The cistern was once covered with a tile roof. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 27

REMARKS From the landing of the stairway one beholds the journey of the sun, from the summer Solstice when the sun stands far to the North, to the winter Solstice when the sun stands to the South. The movement of the sun upon the South porch is like­ wise interesting. In the winter the sunlight approaches across the floor almost to the Northern wall of the porch. In the sum­ mer there is only about two feet of sunlight at mid-day. This land­ ing of the stairway has always been a place of inspiration and refreshment. My aunt always paused on the landing to look out of the window; so did her maid Mary; so does my sister Susan; so may have done the British officers and the Federal officers; so a host, part of whom have "gone before", part of whom remain. The house itself, of old English brick, was built nearly a hundred years after the planting of the Colony under the Pro­ prietors in 1670. With this house may be mentioned the home of Charles Pinckney and of Henry Laurens. One must admire the character of men who would contrive to build such homes. Just ,vhat would enter into the building of these houses would require thought and research. Among the first shipments to England were logs of cedar. Later, there was trade with the Indians for the hides of wild animals; here was suffering. In a letter written to me July 23, 1935, by my sister Susan ( while I was on visit to my brother's parishioners at St. Mary's Church, \Vest New Brighton, Staten Island) she gives the fol­ lowing description of the chandelier: "This morning when I went into the drawing-room about seven, the chandelier was wonder­ ful; with the bright prisms on the walls, and in the midst of the big mirror the large crystal ball at the bottom of chandelier was casting a brilliant yellow ball of light, ,vith points radiating from it. Looked for all the world like the sun in all its brightness shining in the mirror; it took up a large part of the mirror. I left for a moment to take Cherie ( our brother's dog) do,vn and the sun had gone too far when I returned to see it again." 28 THE l\i1ILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

MILES BRE\VTON Miles Brewton was the fourth generation in the colony be­ ginning with the year 1684. His grandfahter Miles adopted the occupation of goldsmith which then embraced all forms of banking; was appointed Pow­ der Receiver for the Province in 1717, and was foreman of the Grand Jury that ,vas organized to try Stede Bonnet and his pirate associates, October, 1718. A. S. Salley, the historian, refers to him as "this conspicuous leader." His father, Robert, was elected to Commons House of As­ sembly for St. Philips Parish, 1736, and succeeded his father as Powder Receiver. Miles Brewton, son of Robert and Mary Griffith, was born January, 1731. He became one of the influential merchants of the city. "Governor Glenn gave a table of the number of vessels that • had loaded in Charles Town in ten years. His table of those from Christmas 1745 to Christmas 1748 is particularly interest­ ing: "There left Charles Town 86 vessels· bound for Europe with 10,555 tons of merchandise valued at L 68,607, and 121 bound for the West Indies with 4,018 tons at L 18,081, and 48 for the Northern Pro_vince with 1,720 tons at L 6,020." "Few countries have at any time exhibited so striking an instance of public and private prosperity as appeared in South Carolina, bet,veen the years 1725-1775. Ramsay, History of South Carolina.'' "The mercantile influence in South Carolina ,vas opposed to the Revolution. "Henry Laurens when confined in the Tower of London could truthfully ,vrite that during these times, at the peril of his Ii f e and fortune, he had labored to preserve and strengthen the ancient friendship between Great Britain and the colonies. "Gabriel Manigault too, helped his State ,vith a great loan in its extremity; but we do not find his name in any of the pro­ ceedings ,vhich brought on the struggle." The fight was to be made within the Kingdom of Great Britain. * A full account of trading· and merchandising may be found in c'South Carolina under the Royal Government, 1719-1776" (McCrady, Chapter XXL)

CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 29

The people of Carolina were generally willing to resist and if necessary to fight as the Barons had for Magna Carta, and as the Parliamentarians had against the Stuarts, but it ·was to be a struggle within the Kingdom-such a struggle as that in which Pitt and the Whig Lords could lead them. They were still de­ voted to_ the Mother Country. Ra,vlins Lo\\indes argued-"that unless the deputies from this colony appeared in Congress with limited powers, being out­ numbered by the northern deputies, they, and conseq1:1ently their constituents, would be bound by votes which they absolutely de­ nied" . . . . ( McCrady). The deputies to the General Congress in Philadelphia for the Conservative ticket were: Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Rawlins Lowndes, Charles Pinckney, and Miles Brewton. The more positive party put up as their candidates, Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, and Ed­ ,vard Rutledge. The latter prevailed. Lord William Campbell arrived in Cllarleston June 18, 1775. He and Lady Campbell were received at the home of Miles Brew­ ton until their own residence was prepared. Lady Campbell was the cousin of Mrs. Brewton. "The Governor was no stranger in South Carolina. He had married Sarah Izard, one of the oldest families in the province. He did not however, come to assume his office until too late. 'When at last he did arrive, the Government had been superseded by the Provincial Congress." The Deputation chosen to present the address to the Governor on June 21 were: Hon. William Henry Drayton, Hon. Capt. Barnard Elliott, Col. Charles Pinckney, Col. James Parsons, Col. Isaac Motte, Stephen Bull, Col. \Villiam Moultrie, Maj. Owen Roberts, Capt. Thomas Savage, Miles Brewton, Thomas Fer­ guson, Gabriel Capers, Esquires. "The battle of Lexington, April, 1775, precipated the War of the Revolution; just as that of Ft. Sumter, in 1861 did the \\lar of Secession." ( McCrady) On June 4, 1775, the Provincial Congress was reconvened. This body appointed three committees, and a Council of Safety. The Secret Committee was composed of: William Henry Drayton, Arthur Middleton, Charles Cotes worth Pinckney, William 30 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

Gibbes, Ed,vard vVeyman. This committee ,vas to act in a quiet way for the ,velfare of the colony. The Humble Address and Declaration of the Provincial Congress: "To His Excellency, the Right Honorable Lord. \Villiam Campbell, Governor and Commander in Chief over the Province aforesaid: "We, his n.fajesty's loyal subjects, the Representatives of the people of this colony, in Congress assembled, beg leave to disclose to your Excellency, the true cause of our present proceed­ ing; not only that upon your arrival among us, you may receive no unfavorable impression of our conduct, but that we may stand justified to the ,vorld ... we declare that no love of innovation, no desire of altering the constitution of Government-no lust of independence has had the least influence upon our counsels ; but alarmed and roused by a long succession of arbitrary proceedings by ,vicked Administrations . . . and deeply affected by the com­ mencement of hostilities by the British troops against the Con­ tinent-solely for the defence of our lives, liberties and proper­ ties, we have been impelled to associate and take up arms . . . " "\Ve entreat and trust that your Excellency ,vill make such a representation of the state of this colony and of our true motives as to assure his Majesty that in the midst of all our complicated distresses, he has no subjects in all his ,vide dominions who more sincerely desire to testify their loyalty and affection; or who ,vould be more ,villing to devote their lives, and fortunes in his real service." By order of the Provincial Congress at Charles­ ton, June 20, 1775. Henry Laurens, President." (Drayton­ Vol. 1, p. 261.) The Governor was much disturbed by the tenor of this ad­ dress, and long conferred with his host 11r. Brewton, who though one of the Council of Safety, ,vas himself in great doubt of the course ,vhich events were taking. Lord \Villiam could not sleep for anxiety, and in the night called up i\1r. Brewton ·who had retired, to express his apprehension that the ,vords-"associate and take up arms" would cause troops to be immediately sent to the colony. Impressed alike by the Governor's fears, and his own, l\1r. Brewton approached three or four members of the CHRONICLES .A.ND REMINISCENCES 31

Congress; but as objection ,vas at once made, it was thought better to drop the matter. 11r. Brewton had endeavored to keep the peace bet,veen the Royal Governor and the Provincial Congress of ,vhich he \\·as member. His course ,vas typical of many in South Carolina. He had hoped as he wrote to his friend Quincy in 1774, that if Boston would persevere and be pr~dent, her sisters and neigh­ bors would work out her salvation without taking the musket." (McCrady) The address in part of Lord William Campbell, July 10, 1775: ''Gentlemen: I know of no representatives of the people of this province except those constitutionally convened in the General Assembly ; and am incompetent to judge of the disputes ,vhich, at present, unhappily subsist, between Great Britain and the American Col­ onies. But you may be assured, no representation shall ever be made by me, but what shall be strictly consistent with truth; and ,vith an earnest endeavor to promote the real happiness and pros­ perity of the province." "\Villiam Campbell". Let me there£ ore, gentlemen, most earnestly entreat you ... to deliberate, to resolve, with that temper, coolness, and modera­ tion the important instant demands, and to reflect that the hap­ piness or misery of generations yet unborn ,vill depend on your determination."-Part of the address. In July, an urgent request for powder ,vas sent by the Con­ tinental Congress. Word had been received that a vessel from Eng­ land containing powder was expected in Savannah. This vessel was captured and the powder was disposed of. William Henry Drayton and Miles Brewton were commissioned to go to Savan­ nah with a request for po,vder. The citizens determined to spare 5,000 pounds. This was placed upon an express boat by the Secret Committee. It reached Philadelphia and enabled the siege of Boston to continue. "11r. Bre,vton was one of the most conservative of the pa­ triotic party--one of those who, Mr. Drayton intimates, acted as a balance ,vheel to their more impetous comrades." Col. Moultrie ,vrites of Charleston, June, 1775: "Charles town looked like a garrison town, everything wore the face of 32 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE

,var, though not one of us had the least idea of its approach, for we were anxiously looking forward to a reconciliation ... when on the 19th of April, 1775 war was declared against America by the British troops firing upon the inhabitants of Lexington. We were without money, without arms, without ammunition; no generals, no armies, no admirals, no fleets-This was our situa­ tion when the contest began against the country which we had been taught to consider and respect as the finest in the world." Miles Brewton was a member of the Commons House of Assembly, 1763, for St. Bartholomews; for St. Philips Parish 1765; for St. John's Colleton, 1770; for St. Michaels, 1772; was elected a deputy to the first Provincial Congress of South Carolina (Parishes of St. Philip and St. Michael) Jan. 9, 1775, member of Council of Safety June, 1775; elected to second Pro­ vincial Congress August, 177 5. ( S. C. History and Genealogical Magazine.) "In the minutes of the Board of Trustees of the College of Philadelphia ( now University of Pennsylvania) there is an order of the date of April 15, 1772, 'that the name of the several gentlemen who so kindly contributed toward the college in collections made for the same in South Carolina by Dr. Smith be inserted in this book as a perpetual testimony of the obliga­ tion which this seminary is under to them. The list is headed by Lieut. Governor Bull himself.' Miles Brewton was among those ,vho contributed." "The people of South Carolina have thus contributed to the establishment of three of the great institutions of learning in the country-Princeton, Brown University, and the University of Pennsylvania." ( McCrady) From the South Carolina and American General Gazette: Friday, August 25, 1775 "Since our last, Miles Brewton, Esq., and his family .... have sailed for Philadelphia." This vessel was lost at sea. (It is our tradition that) Mr. Brewton was taking his family to Philadelphia, expecting to re­ turn to Charleston. His two sons were Miles and Joseph Izard.

"Among the mighty men whose noble deeds adorn the an­ nals of our land, and ,vhose spotless lives have won for them the heritage of immortal fame, well may we place in foremost CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 33 rank, the name of him who forms the subject of our present notice. Born of noble parents, educated in the refinement of honour and chivalry and with a noble heart brimming full of fervent love for his country, he gave his all-his time, his talents and his fortune, in support of the liberties and independence of his native land. His whole-souled patriotism knew no half-way sacrifice. \Vhatsoever his hand found to do, his heart was in it and he did it ,vith his might. With telescopic glance let us gaze back through the long vista of the past and dwell awhile amid the stirring scenes in which did live and move and act those illustrious men, ,v hose mighty deeds shall echo to farthest verge of time. Though scarcely four centuries have passed away since the fragile bark of the daring Italian mariner skimmed across the Atlantic's virgin wave, yet has gathered round the history of our birth and growth, a mist as thick and cloudy as the dark shadows of abysmal night. Sketches like the present, have for their ob­ ject to clear a,vay these sullen clouds, or at least to afford a land­ mark for some future traveler, groping in the darkness. Let us now briefly glance at the life and character of Miles Brewton. Mr. Bre,vton in early life, manifested a great disposition for mercantile affairs, and ,vhile still a youth, he entered into the Counting House of one of our most distinguished merchants. To habits of strictest order and regularity, he added a character for honesty and integrity unsullied by the slightest taint of wrong. Naturally possessed of brilliant" talents and having cultivated them to the highest advantage, it ,vas not un-natural that he should, af­ ter the probationary period of a fe,v years had passed, have risen to the summit of the calling that he had embraced. Setting out in life ,vithout ,vealth, and with but few, if any, rich or influential friends-by his untiring energy and his clear business talents, he shortly amassed a fortune, but little, if at all less, than half a million dollars. Yet during the \\ihole time that he was ac­ quiring this vast \vealth, his heart ,vas always open and his hand never closed against the virtuous poor. Many there ,vere indeed ,vho owed their ,vhole subsistence, as ,vell as that of their families to the kind and generous heart of this great and good n1an. Of that first Provincial Congress, ,vhich was held in Charles- 34 THE MILES BRE\\TTON HOUSE ton, on the 11th day of January, 1775, l\,files Bre,vton ,vas re­ turned as a member from the t\vin parishes of St. Philip and St. lv1ichael. His career during the brief session of the Congress ,vas brilliant and succssful, and at its close, ,vhen that body deen1ed it necessary ''to have some civil executive body to carry on the bus­ iness of the colony, during the recess pf Congress" he ,vas elected Member of the Council of Safety. .i\.mong his fellows in this body were: Col. Henry Laurens, Col. Charles Pinckney, Hon. R.a,vlins Lowndes, Hon. \V. H. Dray.ton, and others ,vhose names the world will not willingly let die. Perhaps no trait in the character of this illustrious man shone forth more brilliantly than his benevolence. During his ,vhole life he had ever been attentive to the wants of the poor, and numerous were the con­ stant pensioners of his bounty. In the year 1760, he became a member of the South Carolina Society ... for the better dis­ pensation of charity. In this Society he ,vas elected Junior War­ den, 1766, Senior Warden, 1767, and Steward (the highest office in the Society) 1768. After his death . . . it was discovered that he left this Society a legacy of £3,500 Sterling. Many mourned his death and in the hearts of all, his memory was affectionately ensh r1ne. d ... ,,

Here lie the remains of Colonel Robert Bre,vton Died August 17, 1759, Aged 60 years And of his wife, l\1ary, ,vho died Nov. 29, 1761, .A.ged 62 years Erected 1803 in grateful memory of their son, Miles Brewton Member of the 2nd Provincial Congress \Vho with his family perished at sea 1775 on their voyage to Philadelphia, A faithful patriot, He builded better tlian he knew.

This handsome tomb is in St. Philip's Churchyard, the north side.

"March 8, 1773. Dined ,vith a large company at J\1iles Brewton' s, Esq., ... one, Mr.------,a native Britain, ad- CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 35 vanced: 'Great Britain had better be ,vithout any of the colonies. You may depend upon it that if Britain should renounce the sovereignty of this continent, or if the colonies shake themselves clear of her authority, that you all-meaning the provinces-will have government sent you from Boston ... '-Memoirs of Jos­ ia Quincy, Jr., P. 100." "There is probably no more historic house in this co~ntry than this of Miles Bre,vton's. It was the scene of stirring events during Lord William Campbell's attempt to recover the govern­ ment from the general committee. Upon the fall of Charleston in 1780 it ,vas headquarters of Sir. Henry Clinton, and afterward of Colonel Balfour. It was in its spacious and elegant parlor that the affecting scene of the appeal of Mrs. Peronneau and other ladies was made to spare the life of the martyr, Isaac Hayne. Upon the fall of Charleston, 1865, it was at once taken as head­ quarters of the Federal army of occupation. 1'hus it has t,vice been the headquarters of an invading army-in neither case that of a foreign foe." (McCrady, 1719-1776, p. 706) "The author of this work was himself connected with the interesting incident in the fulfillment of the prophecy mentioned. Calling at this house upon the late Wm. Alston Pringle, the City Recorder, he was invited to the bed chamber in which Judge Pringle lay sick. During his visit, the author remarked: 'Judge, it will probably surprise you to know that I have been in this chamber before.' 'Ah! how was that?' he said. The author relat­ ed that while on parole as a Confederate officer, he had reported to the Federal office and was shown to this room, occupied by the Adjutant General . . .. General 0. 0. Howard having his office in the adjoining room. Judge Pringle listened with great interest, and, recalling Quincy's story of the prophecy, he said that its fulfillment was still more remarkable in his own case: that he had himself come to the house ... for the restoration of his father's plantation-there was no chance at that time for the restoration of the house. While waiting, he was observing some mutilation of the wall, ,vhen the General remarked that he seemed interested in the room. 'Yes, General,' he replied, 'I am considering that this was my mother's bridal chamber, and tha t 1n. 1·t , I was b orn ' . . . . " 36 THE 1fILES BREvVTON HOUSE

In the fall of 1865, General Charles Devens from Massa­ chusetts was assigried the command of the Military District, and as such was Military Governor of Charl~ston. ( South Carolina under the Royal Government, 1719-1776--McCrady, p. 707)

REBECCA BREWTON MOTTE "In one of the oldest streets of Charleston stands -a house so exactly the counterpart of an old-fashioned comfortable En­ glish home in some quiet cathedral town, that the stranger pauses to inquire how it came there, and while he glances from the ivy-matted brick ,vall, to a wide spreading magnolia at the gate, is nowise surprised to learn that this house dates back to Colonial times, and that the massive stone ,vork of the porch and the windows, nay, even the old red bricks of which it is built, were in truth brought from the mother-country. As we pass with a delightful sense of roominess from the flagged space in front, up the wide steps, and note the solid masonry, our thoughts go back respectfully to the 'days when men did not ,vork so fast as in this our day'." "Let us go through the long stone-floored passage that ex­ tends from front to rear of the house, and take our seats in the arched piazza, "'·hile ·we listen to the story which the whispering old garden and the echoing walls seem ready to pour into our ears." More than a hundred years ago this house had become the home of Rebecca Brewton, vlife of Jacob Motte. Of her it is said that even as a child she was remarkable for a certain gentle firmness of character, which never forsook her. She was below the medium height, but with a bearing so full of sweet, self-sustained dignity and composure, that her want of size never conveyed the faintest idea of insignificance. Blond curling hair, blue eyes and bright complexion modified an expression of countenance that without them would have been almost too grave and serious. v\T e ,vonder a little, gazing on the likeness, to_ see ho,v unadorned the young woman is. The dress, it is true,_ is rich, but there is no other ornament. The hair is dra,vn completely off the forehead, and curls behind only because it would curl. REBECC.-\ BRE\YTON (llrs. Jacob lfotte)

CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 37

"As we realize the influences under which Rebecca Brewton grew to womanhood, we see more and more clearly how different was the Charleston of her day from the town with which we are familiar. Many of the citizens were in great part European by birth ; English, French, and Scotch, with all the natural charac­ teristics of the countries from which they had so recently come. Rebecca Brewton had surely inherited with her full English blood, ,vhat we are accustomed to look upon as essentially English char­ acteristics-undaunted firmness under trial, and cool steadfast­ ness of purpose. Association with a large circle of companions of her own age must have told strongly on one so formed for friendship and its influence." In 1758 Rebecca Brewton, twenty years of age, married Jacob Motte, grandson of John Abram de la Motte. In 1762, Admiral Anson who had made a voyage around the worlq., visited Charleston and became the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Motte. He presented to Mrs. Motte a handsome bowl of India China. This bo,vl is now in the Gibbes Art Gallery. In 1775 Mrs. Motte, with her sister Mrs. Pinckney, inherited the home of their brother, Miles Brewton. At the time of the Revolution, Mrs. Motte brought her en­ tire plantation force to ,vork on th.e fortifications defending Charleston. This was because there were no sons to take part in the War. In the Spring of 1780, the British entered Charleston. Sir Henry Clinton, and afterwards Lord Rawdon, occupied the home of Mr. and Mrs. 1\1otte; they "requested" Mrs. Motte to remain in the house, and insisted that Mrs. Motte should sit at the head of the table, behaving with courtesy and speaking of themselves as her "guests". The table was set in the dra,ving room. It is the tradition that the daughters ,vithdrew at this time to the garret. "Wherever in the scant records of her day, we read of Mrs. Motte' s relations with the English soldiers, there ,ve read also of her quiet courtesy and unalterable dignity of bearing towards them." In January, 1781, Mr. Motte died. Mrs. Motte obtained permission to leave Charleston for her plantation home on the Congaree River-Lord Rawdon thanked her with scrupulous po- 38 THE l\IILES BRE\\TTON HOUSE liteness for her "hospitality", but "regretted that he had not been permitted to make the acquaintance of her family." The British like,vise took the plantation home, Mt. Joseph (Fort Motte). Gen. Marion told Mrs. Motte that the enemy must be dislodged since they were farming a line of fortification between Charleston and Camden. lvirs. 1Iotte presented him ,vith three East Indian arrows. These arrows, upon striking a surface, would ignite. T,vo arrows having been spent, the patriots waited until the shingle roof ,vas hot in the midday sun. The third arrow was then shot and ignited. A soldier likewise thre,v a ball of burning rosin upon the roof. The enemy found it necessary to capitulate. It is .said that the British worked with the Americans, in extinguish­ ing the fire. The day after the surrender, Mrs. Motte enter­ tained the officers of both armies at the same table. "Years afterwards Mrs. Motte received a pleasant token of the esteem in which she ,vas held by those of the 'enemy who learned to kno,v her'. An English officer to whom she had ex­ tended some kindness, happened to see in a book-stall in Lon­ don, a Bible and Prayer Book which· had been presented by Mrs. Motte to St. James Church on the Santee. The officer bought the books and returned them to her son-in-law, Gen. Thomas Pinck­ ney, then minister at the Court of St. James. The old Bible is still read in the little brick church where Mrs. ~1otte ,vorshipped during many years of her Ii fe. Mrs. 1\1otte sold her home, Fort Motte, and with her son­ in-law Thomas Pinckney, built the house at Eldorado, on the Santee River. "Named Eldorado in remembrance of l\1r. Pinck­ ney' s Spanish mission, and from the golden buttercups which covered the land. The spacious mansion which Mr. Pinckney planned and built with his o,vn carpenters is suggestive of a French chateau, \vith its wide corridors, its lofty ceilings, and its peaked roof of glazed tiles-situated on a sandy knoll, jut­ ting out into the rice-fields, embowered by live-oaks with their outstretched arms, and lofty magnolias with their glittering foliage, it ,vas a typical Southern home. The air ,vas redolent of nature's fresh perfumes. The yellow jessamine, the s,veet-scented shrub, and other native plants, which fill our forests with their fragrance, met here in rich profusion. The sweet rose of France, the En- CI--IRONICLES .~~D RE1-IINISCENCES 39 glish rose, and the Cape Jessamine, mingled ,vith the odors of the orange blosson1s in perfect harmony." "1'1rs. l\1otte ,vas entirely successful not only in paying off the debts of her husband's estate ( the result of ·war) but in im­ proving it for the benefit of her children. The t,vo younger daugh­ ters married l\Ir. John Middleton, and Colonel \Villiam Alston; and in the course of years, the house in King Street grew merry again ,vith the voices of grandchildren; the youngest set of \vhom still graces the oid home ,vith her s,veet presence."

Rebecca Nlotte to her daughter 11rs. \Vm. Alston: Saturday, Sept. 10, 1796 '"I received your letter, my dear child, by Scipio on \Vednes­ day last, ,vith the shawl ,vhich is very handsome and I will wear it for your sake. Pray do not work any more cap cauls as 1 have enough by me. I s~nd by Scipio two pairs of socks for Mr. .i\lston and will send the others ,vhen done. Pray when you ,vrite let me know if they fit him. Tell Brewton I an1 sorry she is so lazy and indolent. You must let her come to the city and stav., ,vith me the winter and I will endeavor to make her more active. I expect to be a good deal alone. Kiss your little girls for me and tell them I have nothing to send them on this island, but when I go to town I ,vill send them some goodies by the schooner.

El Dorado, 1806

N o,v I have told vou., all the ne,vs I kno,v of I ,vill inform you about my crop. I haYe a better prospect of a good crop than I have ever had; there ,vere n1ore pains taken in planting; all my seed-rice ,vas hand-picked; and if rice should be a good price next year, I shall pay all my debts, I hope. Five large ships arrived yesterday and today. Your affectionate mother, R. Motte. 40 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

Since Mrs. Matte's business letters have been lost, I make quotations from the letters of Eliza Lucas Pinckney, \-vhose so~ Thomas, married Elizabeth 1fotte.

Life of Eliza Pincknev., "Her planting was no holiday business. The intelligent, unaffected love of agriculture and experiment ,vhich marked her through life had already appeared, and she lvas busy finding out ,vhat would suit the soil and climate of the new colony in ,vhich she found herself. In July of 1739 occur the following memo­ randa .... 'I wrote my father a very long letter on his planta­ tion affairs . . . . on the pains I had taken to bring the Indigo, ginger, cotton, Lucern, and Cassada to perfection and had great hopes for the Indigo-if I could have the seed earlier next year from the East Indies-than any of ye rest of ye things I had tryd . . . . also concerning pitch and tarr and lime and other plantation affairs'."

Letters of Eliza Lucas. "I have the business of three plantations to transact, ,vhich requires much writing, more business and fatigue of other sorts than you can imagine. vVrote by return of the vessel, 2 barrels of rice, do (ditto) corn; 3 do pease and pickled pork, 2 keggs oysters, one of eggs by ,vay of experiment put up in salt. In case they answer, my scheme is to supply my father's refining house in Antigua ,vith eggs from Carolina". Jan., 1741-You shall know both my \\raking and sleeping dreams, as ,vell as how the spring comes on, ,vhen the trees bud, and inanimate nature grows gay to cheer the rational mind with delight; the devout gratitude to the great Author of all; when my little darling, that sweet harmonist-the mocking bird, begins to sing. March, 1741-I can't conclude till I have told you I see the comet Sir I. Newton foretold should appear in 1741. The comet had the ap­ pearance of a very large star vvith a tail, and to my sight about 5 or 6 feet long, its real magnitude must be then prodigious; the tail was much paler than the comet itself, not unlike the milky­ way. The light of the comet, to my unphilosophical eyes, seems to be natural and all its own; how much it may really borrow from the sun I am not astronomer enough to tell. 1742-I am n1ak- CHRONICLES .A.ND REl\IINISCENCES 41 ing a large plantation of oaks which I look upon as my property, ,vhether my father gives me the land or not, and there£ ore I de­ sign many years hence when oaks are more valuable than they are now, ,vhich you know they will be when we begin to build fleets. I intend two thirds of the produce of my oaks for a charity, and the other third for those that shall have the trouble of put­ ting my design in execution. I promised to tell you when the mocking bird began to sing; the little warbler has done wonders; the first time he opened his soft pipe this spring, he inspired me with the spirit of rymeing, and produced the 3 following lines while I ,vas lacing my stays : Sing on thou charming mimick of the feathered kind And let the rational a lesson learn from thee To mimick ( not defects) but harmony. "I have got no further than the first volume of Virgil, but ,vas inost agreeably disappointed to find myself instructed in agriculture as well as entertained by his charming pen, for I am persuaded 'tho he "\\"rote for Italy it will in many instances suit Carolina. I had never perused those books before and imagined I should immediately come upon battles and tempests, that put me in a maze, and made me shudder while I read. But the calm and pleasing diction of pastoral and gardening agreeably pre­ sented themselves not unsuitably to this charming season of the year, ,vith which I am so delighted that had I but the fine soft language of our poet to paint it properly, I should give you but little respite until you come into the country and attended to the beauties of pure Nature unassisted by art. I have planted a large fig orchard, ,vith design to dry them and export them. I have reckoned my expense and the profits to arise from those figs, but were I to tell you how great an estate I am to make this way, and ho,v it is to be laid out, you would think me far gone in romance." "Sacred to the memory of Rebecca Motte. In her, the meekness and fervent piety of the Christian, The most benevolent of human hearts, and the most humble and unobstrusive demeanor Were happily blended with the firm patriotism Of the Spartan matron. 42 THE 1\1:ILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

The tears of the indigent to "'·horn she acted as sister Testify her unbounded charity. The unfeigned sorro,v of the circle in ,vhich she moved .A.nd to whon1 she ,vas the ornan1ent and the delight, Proclaim ho,v amiable and unassuming ,vere her talents. Her bereaved and disconsolate children Dedicate this marble to con1men1orate the excellence Of the domestic character of their parent." Mrs. Motte died on the 10th of January, 1815, in the 77th year of her age. I\,f onument in old St. Philips Church. (From Dalcho's Church History, p. 208, Edition 1820). "Far more enduring than this monument to her worth is the loving and proud reverence of her many grand-children and children, some of whom still have their home in the old house and beautiful garden which time and her name have done so much to render venerable." "It is a duty we o,ve to ourselves as ,vell as our neighbors to know ho,v to admire. Admiration may or may not be en­ nobling, but ,vhen high heroic ideals of character are chosen ... and are set before our children and our children's children, then the benefit of a discriminating admiration becomes apparent, and it bears good fruit a hundred-fold." (The address of the Rev. John Johnson, made at the un­ veiling of the tablet to l\Irs. l\1otte in St. Philip~s Church, 1903, by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Pamphlet). This memory of Mrs. Motte is penned by one of her great­ grandchildren to ,vhom she was always the impersonation of in­ dulgent motherly kindness and love:

"She was rather undersized and slender, with a pale face, blue eyes and gray hair that curled slightly over a high-cro'Wned ruffled mob-cap. She always "'·ore a square white neckerchief pinned down in front, tight sleeves reaching only to the elbow, with black silk mittens on her hands and arms; a full skirt with huge pockets, and at her waist a silver chain from "'·hich hung her pin-cusion and scissors, and a peculiarly bright bunch of k evs., ... " Beloved and respected by all around her, thus she lived on through the gathering years, whose weight she seemed hardly CHRON"ICLES AND REMINISCENCES 43 to feel, so bright and strong her mind continued, so s,veet and loving her temper, so firm her bodily health. 4A. character like hers ... ( so made up of all good things, and in which whatever flaws originally existed ,vere so over­ laid by prominent virtues as to be invisible, ,vill appear to many unnatural). Others more happy in the experience of humanity, and whom personal acquaintance with natures as rare as hers, has convinced of their existence, look trustfully to them in hours of depression as the one shining link left always visible, that con­ nects our earth with heaven. (The quotations are from: "Worthy Women of our First Century", Edited by Mrs. Owen J. Wister, Miss Agnes Irwin, 1877. The chapter, "Rebecca Motte", is by Miss Maria Mid­ dleton, The Life of Thomas Pinckney, by his grandson, C. C. Pinckney; "Charleston", "Eliza Pinckney", Mrs. St. Julien Ravenel.)

\VILLIAM ALSTON Our Grandmother's Father. William Alston was the son of Joseph Alston of "The Oaks", and a great-grandson of John the immigrant. He inherited lands from his father. "I give and devise unto my son William Alston the uppermost half pa~t of all those lands situated on Waccamaw River consisting of several tracts of land ,vhich I purchased of John Huger, Thomas Butler and George Smith one thousand and four acres."* William omitted the second L which his ancestor had added in his will, and ,vas kno,vn as \:Villiam Alston of Clifton. At the commencement of the Revolution, \Villiam Alston left college and took the field as a volunteer. He served as a captain under 1Iarion and ,vas entrusted by him ,vith the defence of a fort in the harbour of Georgeto,vn. He loved to d,vell on the virtues and services of 11arion. On the return of peace, Col. Alston resumed the cultivation of his paternal estate on the Waccamaw, near Georgetown, ,vhich he pursued without inter­ ruption and ,vith almost unexampled success. Being a personal

*Allstons and Alstons of Waccamaw, P. 18, The Book of Royal Grants, quoted in Brookgreen, P. 7. 44 THE l\IILES BRE\\TTON HOUSE and political friend of Mr. Jefferson, he ,vas prevailed upon to lend the \\·eight of his name and influence to the party of which Mr. Jefferson was the head. He served for several years as a member of the Senate of this State, and was one of the Demo­ cratic electors of the President and Vice President at the time of the memorable contest bet,veen Jefferson and Adams. He soon retired, ho,vever, from public life and from that period devoted himself exclusively to his private affairs. It is as a Carolina planter-a character identified with the interests and honour and best hopes of the state-that Colonel Alston was chiefly distinguished. Whether ,ve estimate his claims to public consideration by his extraordinary success, the admirable treatment of his slaves, or the progressive improvement of his estates ( the result of a wise system of economy and good management) Colonel Alston stood almost at the head of the class to which he belonged. It was the opinion of Col. .A.lston that in the management of a slave, the true interests of the planter were in txact accordance with the dictates of an enlightened humanity. It was, therefore, with him a rule through life to treat his slaves with the utmost liberal­ ity and kindness, ,vhile he never relaxed the reins of a wholesome discipline. His rule ,vas to provide them with dwellings of the best description, to clothe them in the very best manner. and to allow them supplies of every kind on the most liberal scale. The consequence was that his numerous plantations were models of neatness and order, and his slaves always exhibited an appear­ ance of health and comfort. Col. Alston, however, was not one of those speculative philanthropists who sacrifice essential good to visionary theories. His system ,vas based on a calculation of practical results. It was not his slaves only who were to be made prosperous and happy. If they ,vere among the best treated in the state, his crops were ahvays abundant and his rice of the finest quality brought to the Charleston market." From the Charleston Mercury, July 1, 1839. Colonel Alston, at that time, was considered the type of the home-staying Carolina planter. A young man at the beginning of the Revolution, he had not had the English education which so many of his class enjoyed, but was thoroughly Carolinian. He had served under Marion, and was one of his most trusted friends. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 45

Washington in his Southern tour . . . 1791 . . . spent the night in the home of \Villiam Alston. The visit is described- in "Charleston", ( J\irs. St. Julien Ravenel). "When the cortege reached the Waccamaw River, it stopped for the night at Col. Wm. Alston's plantation, Clifton. Col. _Alston had recently married the beautiful Mary Motte, youngest daughter of Rebecca Motte. ( She had been a little girl when she was locked up in the garret during Rawdon's tenancy of her mother's house, and was now a lovely young woman with her character written on her face, and made a charming hostess.)" Clifton house stood among fine trees, a little back from the river, ,vith fields spreading wide before it. These fields in early spring were covered with the young rice, springing green from the dark earth and intersected by innumerable ditches, the water gleaming bright in the sunshine. The President ,vas quite un­ prepared for such perfection of cultivation, and, the passion of his life being agriculture, was delighted. It won from him one of the few enthusiastic remarks reported of him, for he told his hostess it "looked like fairyland". And after,vards in Charles­ ton, he said to the Governor, Mr. Charles Pinckney, that he had had no idea that anywhere in America ,vas there such perfection of cultivation as he had seen on the large rice rivers which he had crossed." (This visit is described in Washington's diary.) Col. Alston reared thorough-bred horses on a considerable plane. \Ve ,vonder whether vVashington's ,vell-known interest in such things led to the presence at Colonel Alston's plantation in 1799 of "Great Plenipo" sired by "Royal Gift", a jackass presented to the late President Washington by the King of Spain. ( Georgeto,vn Gazette, April 17, 1799.) Col. _Alston married Mary .A.she, daughter of Brig. Gen. John Ashe, of North Carolina. There ,vere five children. The son Joseph ,vas a beloved and valued c1t1zen. He ,vas made Governor of South Carolina in 1812. He married Theodosia Burr. .1-\fter the deat-h of J.\,fary Ashe, William Alston married Mary 11otte, the niece of Miles Bre,vton. There were seven children. Their son Julian ,vas instantly killed by being thrown from a horse. 46 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

In 1791 \Villiam Alston purchased the residence· of Miles Brewton, the home in which his ,vife had spent part of her child­ hood and •vouth . "This indenture made the 19th day of April in the year of ·our Lord one thousand seven hundred a.nd ninety-nine bet,veen Frances Pinckney and Rebecca lv1otte, devises and co-Heiresses of Miles Bre,\rton . . . of the one part, and vVilliam Alston of Waccamaw of the other part; Witnesseth that the said Frances Pinckney and Rebecca Motte . . . do Grant, bargain, and sell unto the said. William Alston all that· 1ot . . . with the buildings and Appurtenances, Late the property of Miles Bre,vton, Esq., fronting on the west side of King Street ... and running through from East to West to Legare Street ... to have and to hold ... Sealed and delivered in the presence of us, by Frances Pinckney, Mary Eleanor Pinckney, Rebecca Pinckney. Sealed and delivered by Rebecca Motte, in the presence of us, Frances Middleton, Thomas Pinckney". Col. Alston's house was the abode of a refined and elegant hospitality . . . courteous in his manners, social in his disposition, surrounded by a large circle of friends and blessed ,vith an ample fortune, his tastes and habits ,vere for many years those of a "Carolina gentleman of the old South." Colonel Alston survived to 1839 dying in his eighty-third year, a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. The orbituary of William Alston ,vas written by his son-in- law, Robert Y. Hayne.- See "Robert Y. Hayne-His Times"-Jervey. See also "The Charleston Mercury", July 1, 1839. "Charleston", p. 437. Of William Alston, it may be said that the children of Mary Ashe and the children of Mary ]\tlotte, have al,vays found their abiding place in the old home; have esteemed and loved each other. ' 1L-\RY BRE\\.TOX 1IOTTE .-\LSTOX ().[rs. \\.illiam .-\l~ton)

CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 47

MARY BREWTON lvIOTTE ALSTON Our Grandmother's Mother. l\1ary Bre,vton .A.lston ,vas the youngest daughter of Rebecca Brev;ton and Jaccb l\iotte. She ,vas eleven years old "·hen the British officers took possession of her parents' home. She was t,velve years old ,vhen her father died. She was about t,venty-t,vo years old "'·hen the beautiful full-length portrait was painted by Savage. The dress of this portrait was yello,v. There is also a miniature of herself, and one of her husband-by Charles Fraser. Mary Bre,vton Motte married William Alston in February, 1791. In April, li91, Col. Alston purchased the home in which his wife had spent her youth. There are in the house, the beautiful table cloth marked­ " Alston, 179i". Also the napkin : "Alston-I i98-24", in fine cross-stitch. There are interesting blankets marked, "M. B. Als­ ton" in cross-stitch. Several blankets have the "Sun" or "Rose" pattern in shades of yellow, red and brown. Some of the blankets are marked ,\i·ith stripes on the edge; this mark denotes the size of the blanket. Mrs. Alston's daughter, 11:ary M. Pringle, in · one of her books, mentions "old French blankets, Duffil, and Merino blankets." Our maid, 11:ary Chisolm, has told me. that she thought the quilts belonged to our great-grandmother, and were done by the seamstresses. There are also several handsome Marsailles quilts. There are also the handsome Bible given by Mrs. Alston to All Saints' Parish, Lo,ver Church, Waccamaw, published by Jos. Teal, Boston, 1822, and the handsome books of Common Prayer, containing an explanation of the services, printed in New York, 1803. On a slip of paper is written by Mary M. Pringle: "My Sainted Mother's Angora Shawl". Also, in the will of Mary M. Pringle: "I herein call the attention of my daughters to the large marble mortar, so long used by my dear mother, and the bell metal kettie, as articles my daughters may value because I valued them." This mortar is probably of Italian marble. Sugar used to be prepared in large cones which ·were cut into squares. Bits of sugar may have been pounded in this mortar, also spices; possibly meat, for Pompey's Head; and oranges for marmalade. Mary Chisolm told me of the last two. 48 THE MILES BREvVTON HOUSE

Our aunt remembered ,vhen her grandmother sat at a window in the South Parlor and sewed on red flannel shirts. She also remembered that ,vhen her grandmother ,vas too feeble to be do,vnstairs, she directed that a fanna basket which held a peck, should be filled with rice to be sent to ·a neighbor. The basket was found to hold just a peck. Mrs. Wm. Alston to her daughter J\1ary, called "Hess", Fairfield (Plantation near Georgetown, S. C.) July 15, 1818: "You surely, my dear Hess, are jesting when you tell me about your idling your time which is so very precious. Pray have your sober senses about you and employ your time as you ought to do. I have written to Mr. Kershaw to give you $15 which I beg you not to spend foolishly and get four bonnets at once as you did last summer, but get useful things. I wish you had mentioned .,vour brother Tom-whether he is in town or sailed to the Northward-if you have received E's letter, and if you have sent the things she wrote for. No doubt, my dear, but that you are very anxious to be with me, as much as I am to have you here and should your cousin Hannah come to North Island I will write to my cousin to allow you to come with them, hut not else. In the meantime I beg that you will employ yourself as you ought, gaining some in­ formation every moment. Swayed by the elasticity of youth, you appear to be guided only by the impulse of the moment and in a great degree regardless of that attention to your improvement ,vhich should be the important principle of action, and so lead, if duly encouraged inevitably would lead, to the conviction of the propriety and necessity of constant and diligent application to the studies ,vith which you are at present engaged. Reflect that the opportunity may not possibly be retrieved and 'that the mind untaught is a work wasted', where fiends and tempests howl. 'As Phoebus to the ,vorld is science to the soul'." Your affectionate mother, Mary Brewton Alston.

Charles Alston to his sister Mary Alston, called Hess. 1822 . . . . I feel no small degree of sadness ,vhen I reflect on the change '\\~hich your absence ,vill cause at Fairfield. I cannot CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 49 however, but rejoice at your happiness which you are so deserv­ ing of. I feel this delightful assurance from the character of him to whom you are united-who has every good feeling which can make domesticity a happiness-though severed from us. I still consider you with the same ardent affection which always existed in my heart. Though your society added not a little to our family enjoyment, yet it is with far more delight I view your prospect of happiness. Your affectionate brother, Charles Alston.

Quotations from the Gardiners Calendar for the States of North and South Carolina, and Georgia. Robt. Squibb, E. Hoff, Printer, No. 48 Broad Street, 1827. Mary Brewton Alston. S epteniber-"This is our seed time and harvest." At the new moon sow wallflowers, stock, pinks, carnation, India pinks, etc. October-The equinox has now passed by, when the garden calls for general attention to put all things in order. "The wise man has declared there is a time for all things". "In our retired months of winter on a plantation the cultivation of a garden will be found to be a most healthful occupation ; and some hours might be stolen from the ,valks of fashion and be more profitably be­ stowed." February-About the latter part of this month, sow the seed of artichokes-pot and medicinal herbs. Sow the seeds of dill, fennel, borage, butnet, bygloss, sorrel, marigold, oraeh and Clarey, chervil and coriander. Plant slips of balm, butnet, tarragon, tan­ sey, penny-royal, fever-£ ew and chamomile. JJf ay-Gather s,veet and pot herbs ... mint, balm, sage, thyme, hysop, savory, for drying. Gather all such medicinal herbs as are now in flower. The latter should be always gathered when they begin to flo,ver ... they must be cut in a dry day, and immediate­ ly spread or hung up in a dry room. Never lay those herbs in the sun to dry; for that would exhaust them too much, and render them useless. Cut peppermint for distillery. June-Summer pruning Espalier tree of apples, pears, plums and cherries. 50 THE J\1ILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

Charleston, S. C., April 3, 1820 ... I have on my plantation a hedge of the rose called N on-descript. It is a large ·white run­ ning rose, thro,ving out a vast prcfusion of flo,vers, armed with a great quantity of sharp prickles. Being an evergreen, it is the admiration of travelers passing by. To please the eye, I intro­ duced about forty feet distant, the daily red rose cuttings and the common woodbine and jessamine vines united, which ,vhen in bloom, as they are at present, form a most beautiful contrast and pleasing sight. I have thus given you a short description of a valuable plant, embracing in itself the Utile and the Dulce, to all who ,viii take the trouble to cultivate it as a fence. NOTE: l\'1r. John H. Tucker has cultivated to advantage the Cherokee Rose for upwards of t,venty years. His plan­ tation, on \Vaccama,v River, is completely enclosed by it. Its great beauty and usefulness ought to stimulate plant­ ers generally to cultivate and promote the extension of it. In my opinion, it is equal to the first of fences. (Mr. Row­ land to Mr. Skinner of Baltimore.)

The aged Christian's Cabinet, by the Rev. John Stanford, D.D., 1829. "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age, to sho\v that the Lord is upright, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." David. This book contains interesting chapters. The Prayers of the Ancients-On passing over Jordan-On the Promises of God -The Wido,v Anna-The Saints of God personally knowing each other in Heaven-Happy Poverty-The last days of Moses. In the "Address" is the poem of Swain. "Tis Thine the labours of the pen to bless; vVithout Thine aid abortive falls each thought, However strong, ho,vever sweet the lay That tells Thy love, it charms not till Thy beams Wing it with power, and through the yielding heart Make ,vay for mercy. 0 let Thine hand Each budding line ,vith fruit in season cro,vn; And as the pov,er, so be the Glory Thine." \\.ILLL-\11 BCLL PRIXGLE

CHRONICLES AND REl\1INISCENCES 51

Sacred to the memory of Mary Brewton Alston Wife of \Villiam Alston And daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Motte Who died Nov. 22, 1838 Aged 69 years. As a sister and a friend she was Affectionate and steadfast. As a daughter-a wife-and a mother Truly faithful and devoted. To do good was the business of her life, In faith and practice she was a sincere And pious Christian. She "loved the Lord with all her heart and her neighbor as h~rself."

WILLIAM BULL PRINGLE MARY MOTTE ALSTON PRINGLE Mary Alston was the grand-daughter of Rebecca Motte­ the great niece of Miles Brewton. She was the ninth child of William and Mary Alston. William Bull was the son of John Julius Pringle, and grand­ son of Robert Pringle who came from Scotland. Robert built the house now known as iO T radd Street. This house was the home of our grandfather until his marriage. Our grandparents spent their youth and maturity in a period of prosperity. They lived in a time of ,vell-established business and well-ordered homes. Young men ,vere sent to college in this country and abroad; young women ,vere taught in private schools, and boarding schools, and by tutors. They ,vere required to value industry and culture. In this period also there was danger; a temptation to yield to idleness and luxurv.., Since there ,vere manv., servants there ,vas a tendencv., to exalt oneself . Our grandfather was born in 1800; our grandmother in 1803. They were married in 1822. They spent their married Ii fe in the house of her parents, then known as 13 King Street. Their bridal room ,vas the gentleman's dra,ving room opening 52 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE on the drawing room. Our grandfather was six feet and always held himself erect. There is a good portrait of him by Flagg. There is also a large photograph of him as I remember him. I quote from the News & Courier of December 15, 1881. "He strove to be useful in his generation, helpful to the public, and faithful to the true and the right. Conservative by princi­ ple and prudent in temper, he more than once resisted political movements that he knew to be unwise and believed to be danger- - ous, but ahvays ,vith a courtesy, grace and manliness which disarmed resentment and won the respect of opponents who knew how sincere ,vere his convictions and disinterested his motives." "He occupied during his life many positions of honor and trust, and was faithful and energetic in discharging the duties of each. He was for a short time a Representative of the Parish of All Saints, Waccamaw, in the State Legislature. He at dif­ ferent times held the offices of Director of the South Carolina Railroad; Commissioner of the Orphan House; Director of the Bank of the State; Director of the Bank of Charleston, and Trustee of the Charleston College." We used to gather oranges with our grandfather. He·would pull the oranges down with a rake and we would put them into the wheelbarrow. These oranges were stored in the room open­ ing on the gard~n. Our memory is that one corner of the room was piled with oranges. I He came frequently into our parents' room to see the time of day. Our father had bought a large office clock, part of the furnishing of the former Custom House. This clock was placed on top of a handsome set of drawers in our parents' room. Ou-r grandfather liked to see the clock, perhaps, but chiefly to see our mother. A cousin has told me that when our grandfather met her, he would say-"Rose, why have you not been to see us?" This v{as not meant in reproach but in kindliness. Our father has said that he was inately a gentleman. After the \Var our grandparents were in straightened circumstances. At one time their dinner was served by a cateress, in a basket. Our grandfather ,vould always state that it was the nicest meal he had ever tasted. Our grandparents entertained handsomely. There ,vas china ~L\RY ~lOTTE .-\LSTOX PRIXGLE

CHRONICLES AND RE11INISCENCES 53 and glass,- go(?d friends, good servants, good food. There was abundance of fish, ,vild turkey, ,vild duck, game of every sort, good ·rice and com. The house was left to our grandmother by her father, Wil­ liam Alston. Our grandmother took care of her father in his widowhood. She ,vas lovely in app~arance, was intelligent, in­ dustrious, had a piquancy and humor which her grandchildren remember and which is found in her letters. She has left in her house, the home of her entire life, her book of prayers; books of quotations, probably made under the direction of a tutor ; a book of letters _to her sons at school ; a book of household occupations; a valuable book of recipes; and what is perhaps the crowning point of her Ii f e, her will. There is a portrait of her by Sully, over the mantel in the drawing room.* There is a photograph of her as we remember

*The original was inherited by a cousin. This copy is made by Mrs. H. V. Snead (Miss Louise Willis) of Charleston. her. This photograph ,vhile expressing suffering, expresses strength ( even triumph). There were nine sons, four daughters. I insert the inscription made by our grandmother in the Bible: "Married on the fifth of March, 1822, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bowen, William Bull Pringle and Mary Motte Alston. Marriage is honorable in all things." Hebrews, Chap. 13, v. 4. The years of 1822-42 were years of little children, boys and girls, young men and maidens; the joy and anxiety of parent­ hood. "The sensations of parental fondness are, I suppose, the most delightful of any our nature is capable of, except the con­ jugal, and these mutually adjust each other and complete domestic happiness." Mrs. Chapone. A selection from the quotations of Mary M. Pringle. "The children which God hath graciously given. Gen. Chap. 33, 5. Born on the 2nd December, 1822- William Alston, son of William Bull and Mary M. Pringle 54 THE 1v!ILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

Born 1824 John Julius " 1826 Robert Ed ,vard ,," 1827 Jacob 11 otte _A.ls ton 1829 Susan Pringle " 1831 J\1ary F ranees " 1833 \Villiam Bull " 1835 11iles Bre,vton " 1837 Robert " 1839 Elizabeth and Rebecca Brewton ( t,vins) " 1841 Charles Alston " 1842 James Reid "LO, children are an heritage of the Lord. Psalms, 127, V 23." Thus our grandparents lived in the home of their parents­ in a beautiful house and garden, with servants, well-dressed and trained; plantations* whose country life gave much enjoyment; relatives and friends of many generations. J\1rs. Alston died in 1838. vVilliam Alston died in 1839, my grandmother being 36 years old. In 1844 there came the great sorrow of the death of Eliza­ beth, my mother's twin sister, five years old. Our aunt has often told us of our grandparents' grief. In 1850, their son William Alston, then 27 years old, made an oration before the Fourth of July Association in the Hibernian Hall. His grandfather, John Julius ~ringle, had made an oration on the Fourth of July 1800 "before the inhabitants of Charles­ ton," at the invitation of the American Revolution Society, in St. Philip's Church. . In 1853, Edward Pringle moved to California. In 1859 \tVillian1 died. He had been in charge of a mill on the Santee River, which had been left to him, I think, by his godmother. Our mother wrote of him-"he ·was the purest spirit of us all." He graduated at the South Carolina College, De­ cember, 1852. The quotation is from the Charleston Courier, July 12, 1859-"The truthful man shone from his truthful face. Conspicuous among his associates for prompt and cheerful per-

*These plantations, if properly managed pro<:iuced food and income of money. I have heard my father say that some planters were bankrupt before the War. CHRONICLES .A.ND REwIINISCENCES 55

f ormance of the hardest service, he ,:vas ever readv.I to contribute to the enjoyment of their leisure hours; his impurturable equa- nimity ,vas proof against every assault of vexatious trouble­ so that the light of kindly affection that shone always in his o,vn large heart ,vas never clouded, but could ever chase sadness fron1 his fello\YS. The most beautiful point of his character stood out in clear relief ,vhen in God's providence he had to watch by the death bed of one dear comrade and share the bitter grief of another. Let the venerable church cro,vded ,vith the kindred and friends of the deceased, old and young mingling· their tears over his early grave~ bear ,vitness that justice has scarcely been done, in the brief notice of the sterling qualities of the departed. One "'·ho has knO'wn him long and intin1ately and ,vho felt all his ,vorth, ventures to offer this imperfect tribute to one of the dear­ est of his friends." B- San Francisco, October 30, 1859-I am charmed ,vith James' letters ,vhich 1\1ama has sent n1e. They do great credit to his head and heart. He is a fine fello\v and his ne,v line away from home seems to have developed his character \vonderfully. He need not be uneasy about letting such a boy leave home. \Vith the bringing up he has had and his deep religious feeling he ,vill be safe any,vhere. To him and to Charley the death of our dear \\7illiam will be especially sanctified. For \Villiam left them nothing but a noble example and such a death at their age will have its sacred place for life. Ed,vard Pringle.

In May, 1861, the ,var bet,veen the states broke upon us. A terrible fire swept the city in 1861. Our grandparents left their home about 1862 to refugee first, I think, on Richfield Plantation, then in Society Hill. Our .A.unt Susan, our mother, Hesse Mitchell five years old, were ,vith them. Much kindness ,vas shown to our grandparents. As I re­ member a house was lent to them bv l\1rs. Nicholas \Villiams. F Vegetables and food ,vere sent to them. 56 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE

Alston, Julius Motte, Brewton, Robert, Charles, James were in military service. I insert a letter from our grandmother to her son Charles. The child mentioned is little Hesse Mitchell. She died after a short illness. Her parents were in Ne,v Haven: Richfield, Jan. 16, '62 My dear son: Did you remember that Tuesday the 14th was your birthday? And that on that day you entered upon the legal age of man? Solemn, grateful and loving thoughts were in your mother's heart, all the day long, my son-as I praised God for the great gift of a good son. Still I trembled as I thought of the position in ,vhich your early manhood has been placed and would pray you to be careful and very watchful over yourself, and ever remember the great Captain of our salvation under \Vhose banner you have to struggle against foes more subtle even than the Northern host. But if God is ,vith you, nothing can be against you. Your position as well as ,ve can judge seems to be an excellent one although, of course, there may be hardships and discomforts; these however are but a part of the soldier's life. Have you h~ard anything of Perronneau's company. \Ve have heard that several of his recruits were dismissed for their very ,vorthlessness. I am very much afraid that those four base fellows who recently deserted to the enemy's fleet from Collis Island were from our dear Robert's recruits. I hope Lucas Battery will live without oysters during their so jurn at Colis Island. I for sooth would not write of ourselves. We mourn for the loss of our pet lamb. She indeed was the single ray that lightened up our monotonous lives, and no,v the very sunshine is a sadness to us as we remember her enjoyment in it, paddling by her grand papa's side, or winding her way alone through the rice stacks that she may join him in the barnyard, or standing with merry eye and smiling face among the negroes, or entering as was her wont into the serious discussion of the day. We recall the great love that subsisted between you and this enchant­ ing child, we remember all your gay sports together, gathering flowers from your bedspread, and your stealthy march into her chamber when she was in bed creeping under the net that you may fold her in your arms. Ah! it is sweet to think how much she loved you and how tenderly you loved her. Have you observed CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 57 that a new order has been issued about mailing letters for the North? They are not to be enclosed to Gen. Huger but directed to their proper destination with the addition, Via Northern \Tir­ ginia and Flag of Truce-3 cents enclosed for Northern postage. With united love believe me-Your devoted mother, M. M. P.

Bible-Died on 29th of June, 1862, of Malaria fever contracted in Camp on John's Island, Lieut. Charles A. Pringle, of the First Regiment of Infantry of the Confederate Service, eighth son of William and Mary Pringle, in the 22nd year of his age.

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT i\t a meeting of the officers of the 1st Regiment Regular Infantry, C.S.P.A., stationed· at Camp Evans, S. C.... the fol­ lowing resolutions were offered: "Whereas, it has pleased the Almighty Disposer of events, to remove from among us our brother officer and friend. Resolved: That in the death of Lieut. Charles A. Pringle, we mourn the loss of one whose high­ toned honor and courage, generous impulses, amiability, suavity, modesty and intelligence rendered him an ornament to the service. II-That ,ve deplore his death and will cherish his memory. III-Tht we tender to his bereaved family our sincere sympathy in this great affliction. John Dunovant, Col., 1st Infantry, C.S. P.A., and Chairman."

Bible-"Killed on the 21st of August, 1863, in Battery Wagner, ,vhilst repelling an attack upon it by the United States Naval forces, Capt. Robert Pringle of the Confederate Artillery Service. 7th son of \Villiam Bull and Mary 1'.L Pringle-26 years of ,, age. "Sun., August 23, 1863- We carried him into the silent King Street house-Brewton, James and myself assisted by the weeping servants took off his bloody clothes and laid him in the South Parlor. Do not increase your natural grief by the regret that you were not here. These things-all things are in God's hands- 58 THE l\1ILES BREYVTON HOUSE

Our enemy may again shell the city at any time and ,vhen it next co1nes, it will be serious." \V m. i\lston Pringle, to his parents. '·Robert is said not only to have fought his gun ,vell but rendered valuable and efficient service as chief of artillery. They have both had a hard time. \,\le are in a bad ,vav.., Sumter is nearly a mass of ruins. Its days are numbered. At any moment it may fall, or rather be evacuated. 1:Iorris Island ,vill then not last long. The iron clads may no,v come in at almost any moment. Your affectionate son, J. Motte Pringle, Aug. 20, 1863" To his parents.

Our grandparents must have returned to Charleston about 1865. Our grandmother called the servants who remained in the yard to her. She told them that she could not longer retain them. She said: "Creti~, will you stay with me." Cretia, called Utie, had been our mother's maid, they had an affection for each other. Her descendants are still in the yard. \Ve still work to­ gether. Our grandparents. rented most of the two lo,ver floors liv­ ing only upon the dra,ving room floor with our Aunt Susan, and our parents. They gathered their children and grandchildren and friends into the dra,ving room on Sunday evenings. Coffee and small cakes \\rere served. Cretia baked the cakes on Saturday in the Dutch oven. The grandchildren ,vere not supposed to have coffee, only cake, but our grandmother surmised that they would like coffee, also, and so they were served. The remainder of this chapter may be found in the letters and prayers included in this book. Bible :-'"Died on Tuesday morning, December the 13th, 1881, William Bull Pringle, in the 82nd year of his age. On the leaf of the 'Day unto Day' calendar that hung near his bedside, were the f ollo,ving words : 'Blessed are the dead ,vhich die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. Ame.n and Amen'." ( Inscribed by Mary M. Pringle.) CHRONICLES AND RElV11NISCENCES 59

Bible-Died on Saturday morning, October 5th. 1884. "'l\iary Motte Pringle, in the 82nd year of her age. Beloved and revered mother.'' (Inscribed by her daughter Susan Pringle.) In the Name of God, _A.men! I, Mary J\1. Pringle, ,vife of William Bull Pringle, under and by virtue of the power of appointment and devise which I possess ... do hereby make, publish and declare the present ,vrit­ ~ng for and as my last \:Vill and Testament. Before expressing my desires about the disposition of n1y worldly possessions, I will say that the earnest ,vish of my heart is that my children should "love one another" and live in Christian charity and good fellowship; the love of Christ should constrain them to "bear and for bear", controlling their own wishes, and being kindly disposed to the wishes of each other. I give, devise and appoint to my dear daughter Susan Pringle the House and lot of Land kno"1·n as No. 13 King Street, in the City of Charleston, South Carolina, where I now reside, to have and to hold the same during the term of her natural Ii fe. In \Vitness vVhereof, I have hereunto set n1y hand and seal this twelfth day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy six. Mary 1\1. Pringle." l\1emorandum, July 7, 1876. To my daughter Susan Pringle I give and bequeathe the Secretary that stands in the drawing room used by her dear father and designed as his secretary. It ,vas given to me by my husband's father and I ,vish it used by her. The high set of dra,vers standing in the North chamber I give to my daughter Rebecca Pringle Frost. The dra,vers formerly be- longed to my good grandmother Rebecca 11_otte. To my daughter Susan I give the red family Bible. I make no mention of my beloved husband because all that I have is his, as is my ,vhole heart, and no distribution of my world­ ly possessions is to be made without his approbation and consent so long as he lives. Thus I have distributed articles that of right belong prsonally to him viz: The Mosaic snuff box, the Pringle Family Bible, the miniature of his father, etc. 60 THE l\i1ILES BREWTON HOUSE

I make this distribution merely as a suggestion to him as to what I consider right and would wish done. To my son Alston, I give the family Bible which belonged to Robert Pringle. To my son John Julius Pringle I ,vill and devise the miniature of his grandfather Pringle painted by Mr. Fraser and the Mosaic snuff box owned by his grandfather. · I give to my faithful servant and friend, Cr.etia Stuart, the large black woolen shawl and one of my black dresses and any other article from my wardrobe that my daughters do not require for themselves or for my daughters Emma and Ella. I give to my former servants Lucretia and Betsy one dress each from my wardrobe. I give to my faithful maid Cretia the sum of $100 to be paid to her out of the funds to my credit in bank. I herein call the attention of my daughters to the large marble mortar so long used by my dear mother, and the bell metal ket­ tle as articles my daughters may value because I valued them.

Excerpts from letters written to Susan Pringle at the death of her mother, Mary M. Pringle. Edgewood, Sunday night. My darling sister: As I can do nothing but think of you and our angel mother, I take my pen to cheat myself into the thought of talking to you. I am so grateful that so many of my children have had the privilege of having seen their darling grandmother and the venerable old family mansion. We love to talk of her gen­ tleness, her kindness, her earnest faith and trust in God, her charity, her sound judgment and her loveliness in person as ,vell as character. A modest mother and a true friend that rich and poor honored and revered. God help us to do as she did and may her holy spirit and loving influence prove a bond of love and affection to the six that survive her. M. P. M. ( Mary Pringle Mitchell.) Paris, October 17, '84 My dear sister: Your letter of the 5th gave me news of the death of our dear old mother, and though it was not unexpected CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 61

when the announcement did come my grief was none the less. You are the one who will feel her loss the most, but it must be a satisfaction to you to remember how devoted and tenderly you alleviated her suffering of her feeble old age. I pictured her to myself lying dead in her dear old drawing room. I am sorry I was not with you all to follow her to her grave as I did my dear old father. Your affectionate qrother-J. J. Pringle.

My dear Aunt Sue: I do so wish now that I had come to Charles­ ton last winter and had one last look at her. Grandma kept all the family together as a box keeps the spokes of a wheel. A great deal of love and sympathy for you, from your affectionate nephew, Stephen Duncan Pringle.

I have never seen any ,voman combining so much-any who was able to bury herself so completely and be comforter to others outside even the circle of family ties. As she gave love so was love returned with unstinted measures. What a crowd to meet her on the other shore. What a meeting with her Saviour. Your Loving, Margueretta. Dearest Susan: Aunt Beckie thought her wonderfully well only a week or two before you were called upon to give her up. Ah Susan, to see the human soul take wing-can anything be more full of awe? What a beautiful example your mother gave to all those privileged to see her of the power of true refinement and Christian faith and submission. Who can ever forget her love; in every season of life triumphant over adversity with inexpressi­ ble sweetness. Your friend, Elise Rutledge.

My dear Dr. Frost: Enclosing I send account of the bag of phosphate which more than met expectations. \Ve had been pre­ pared for the sad communication which tells us that the dear old lady is at rest. What a wonderful woman she was; in grac~, 62 THE lvIILES BRE\VTON HOUSE in dignity, in sagacity, and in kindness unbounded. vVith love to your wife, I am, Very truly yours, Donald G. Mitchell, Edge,vood, October 11, '84. Thanks my dearest Rebecca for your s,veet note of Sunday that seemed to take us among you aII in that sacred old drawing room. I read and re-read it. \Ve are blessed in having such a s,veet memory of our mother, her patience, her charity and her earnest truths must have holy and loving influence upon all of us and hold us together even as separated as so many of us are. In loving devotion, 1v1. P. M., Edgelvood, October, 1884. Edgewood. Very many thanks dearest Sue for your touching letter giving me the particulars of the last earthly days of our angel mother. God bless you dearest, and God be praised that strength ,vas granted you to administer to her comforts to the end. Indeed it has been a pleasure to think of you as an angel of love and tenderness about her pillo,v ahvays and ho,v she loved to tell of your love and patience. As unreal as her absence seen1s to you it is even harder for me to realize her absence and I n1yself think ahvays ,vhat would dear mama say and think of this or that. All join in heartiest love to one and all ,vith your devoted, !vi. P. M.

Beloved Boys : In dating my letter from this place I feel that I afford you a subject of agreeable recollections. The spot that has been the: field of our childish sports; the scenes that recall our youthful innocence and happiness; the patrimonial seat of our ancestors, visited or even reflected upon after a lapse of years, opens to a ,varm and affectionate heart the most delightful recollections. You ,vill upon your return to old Fairfield find it aimost entirely unchanged in its appearance. You may probably miss a few of those old trees that have yielded you the protection of their shade . . . others that you Ief t in their youthful prime are no,v thickly CHRONICLES AND REI\1INISCENCES 63 clad with the foliage of maturity-young striplings are quickly shooting up to manhood-,vhich recalls to my mind the gro,vth and improvement of my sons ,vhich I have endeavored to assist by lending every helping hand of art-the rest I leave to their o,vn exertions and to the Almighty aid of our God for whose blessings may you ahvays endeavor to make an humble return by a grateful heart and lively faith. Your melancholy feelings ,vill no doubt be excited by finding the places of several of our faith­ ful domestics vacated by death, those ,vho were wont to perform ,vith such cheerfulness your commands, joining with their duty the ,viiling spirit and with lively good-nature endeavoring to amuse your childish humours, or to pacify your \\,ay,vard inclina­ tions. I hope you ,vill ahvays think of them with gratitude, nay, even with respect.

Beloved Boys : Ho,v are you, my inestimable treasures? How have you been employing and amusing yourselves? Another agreeable lit­ tle work has just been published, by young Coleridge, entitled ''Six !\1onths In The \Vest Indies". It is very ,vorthy of perusal, as it appears a candid and impartial statement of things such as he really found them, during a visit of six n1onths. He expresses himself on the subject of slavery ,vith noble independence and just humanity. It is of itself revolting enough to every Christian and humane bosom, and does not certainly require the aid of n1is­ representation to render it more distressing.

Beloved Boys : In your la,;t package of books you will find "The History Of The Expedition To Russia", undertaken by the Emperor Nap­ oleon, in the year 1812, by Gen. Count Philip de Segur. l\:f y beloved boys ... it appears rather incongrous that I should fly from ancient to modern ... but as I have just finished Griscom's tour in Europe, I cannot take a better opportunity of recommend­ ing it to you. He, at all events deserves the reputation of a liberal and intelligent traveler, ,vho has let nothing escape his observa­ tion that ,vas ,vorthy of the attention of the benevolent and en­ lightened philanthropist. 64 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

My Beloved Boys : I thin~ you are right in proposing a second perusal of Plutarch's Lives. They are volumes from which you will al­ ways derive improvement. Although his style is inelegant, he more than compensates for it, by his sound morality, agreeable narrative, and the justness and correctness of his feelings. His plan of dra,ving comparisons between his heroes has been of un­ paralleled excellence and very much heightens the value of his work, as it opens to careless and unreflecting minds a new source of weighing and estimating the different characters, which can never be so well done as by a judicious comparison. Beneventum, Nov. 11th, 1857. My dear Daughter: We have been to Richfield. I know you understood all we felt in being there. I had pictured to myself the old familiar objects ... until I thought I could look upon them calmly. I am very grateful at having had firmness enough to have gone to Richfield because it was my duty to have come with your fa­ ther. True, it has made me realize more thoroughly than I have done before, that William has passed away forever ... the stupid torpor of grief sometimes made me think it impossible that he should be dead whilst I was still living on-but now I seem to realize the fullness of my sorrow-and that I am bereaved. Your Devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle.

Friendville, Aug. 21, 1863. My dear son: I tried to feel very humble, as I stood trembling under the great anxieties I felt during the fierce conflict, in which I knew you were bearing a part. Your two kind brothers, Alston and Motte, both wrote to tell us that you and James, under God's mercy, were safe when they wrote. And not only safe, my precious sons, but had done your duty, earnestly, nobly and gallantly. All praise be to God who alone strengthens man to do right. Your mother has always had high hopes for you, my son. Today, I am proud of you, and grateful to God for His loving kindness CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 65 to me, all unworthy as I am; may I-le ever be a safeguard to you, my child, and may your heart turn to Him and trust to Him at all times. Your devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle.

\VILLIAM ALSTON PRINGLE Editorial Column-News & Courier, Feb. 28, 1895. The Hon. William Alston Pringle passed quietly out of this life yesterday. He left none but friends behind him to whom the announcement of his departure will cause deep and sincere regret. He was one of the few remaining links between the prosaic present and the storied past, and with every year the chain is growing shorter. What he was, he was-the Honorable Counsellor, the first Judge, the devoted Christian, the perfect gentleman. His life was an epistle of gentle courtesy and of kindly deeds. He cherished no resentments, he sought no distinctions, he shirked no responsibilities. His mind was clear, his hands were clean, his heart was pure.

Naval School, Annapolis, July 8, 1846. To-Wm. B. Pringle, Esqre. Charleston, S. C. 1'1 y dear sir : Your polite and friendly letter of the 22nd ult. can1e duly to port and I should have replied to it before today but ,vanted to apprise you as I have no,v the pleasure of doing, that your son has just passed his examination, and very creditably-this, how­ ever was expected f ram the recommendations your son brought to the board from his several comn1anders, and the high reputation he sustained at this institution. I ,vrite in much haste and I am, my dear sir as ever respectfully and considerately your obedt servt., J. M. Ke,ver. 66 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

U. S. Ship Germantown, \Tera Cruz, Sept. 18, 1847. Sir: In reply to your communication this day received, I decline the leave of absence granted me by the department, on account of a wound received some time ago. I am, respectfully sir-, Your obt. Serv't., J. J. Pringle, Pass. Midshipman, U. S. Navy. Commodore M. C. Perry, Commanding Home Squadron. (Copy)

EDWARD J. PRINGLE Cornelia Johnson. Edward Jenkins Pringle Third son of William Bull and Mary M. Pringle. Born 1826 in the home of his parents, then 13 King St. Died in his home. Lived in the times of his grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Alston, Mr. & Mrs. John Julius Pringle. Sent to school in boyhood ,vith his two elder brothers. Entered Harvard 1841-Graduated after four years. Studied law in the office of Hon. Henry de Saussure, Charleston, for two years. Admitted to the Bar of South Carolina. Left Charleston to establish himself in California in 1853. Married in 1868 to Cornelia, third daughter of Sidney L. John­ son, Esq. The memorial on the following page is in keeping ,vith the care­ ful, loving training bestowed by the parents upon their children. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 67

IN MEJ\.f ORIAM

EDWARD J. PRINGLE

To the President and Members of The San Francisco Bar Association : Gentlemen :-The undersigned, the special committee appointed to prepare a memorial tribute to our deceased brother and fellow member, Edward J. Pringle, respectfully submit the following: Edward J. Pringle was born in Charleston, South Carolina, February 13, 1826, of Scottish ancestry, long domiciled in this country. His paternal grandfather, Hon. John J. Pringle, was a distinguished lawyer, educated in the Temple, London, and held many positions of trust and honor, notably United States At­ torney for the District of South Carolina, by appointment of President Washington. He declined the office of Attorney-Gen­ eral of the United States, tendered him by President Jefferson. On his mother's side he was related to the Haynes, Alstons, and Mott es and other families distinguished in the history of his native state. Mr. E. J. Pringle, after receiving a good preparatory edu­ cation, entered Harvard College in 1841, and four years later graduated with honor, standing third in a large class. Among his classmates were Hon. Horace Gray of the United States Sup­ reme Court, and Senator Hoar of Massachusetts; Hon. John B. F"elton and Mr. A. C. Whitcomb, with whom later he became as­ sociated in the practice of the lavv in this city, were also fellow students at Harvard. On returning to his home in Charleston he studied law in the office of Hon. Henry A. de Saussure for two years, and ·was then admitted to the Bar. But before he began the practice of his profession he ,vent to Europe, and spent a year in travel and in visiting the principal cities and places of interest. In London he met Carlyle, John Forster, Dickens and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and had many anecdotes of meetings with these distinguished men. He was in London and Paris during parts of 1847 and 1848, and witnessed the great political revolu­ tion resulting in the overthrow of Louis Philippe in F ranee, and the Chartist excitement in England. He used to tell of having heard the great actress Rachel sing the "Marseillaise" in Paris, 68 THE MILES BREViTON HOUSE in a perfect storm of republican frenzy, and a few days later "God Save the Queen" in London, in a tempest of loyal enthusiasm. Returning to Charleston Mr. Pringle began the practice of the law, which he pur'sued with fair success for three years. The discovery of gold in California, and the rush of population to this Coast in 1849 and 1850 attracted his attention and unsettled his plans. He determined to seek his fortune in the new El Dor­ ado, and on the last day of the year 1853, he landed in San Fran­ cisco and immediately took offices and entered upon a career which has been excelled by fe,v members of our profession. His success was deserved and well earned. He was laborious and painstaking and sought no honors outside of his profession. Early in 1854 his college friends, A. C. Whitcomb and John B. Felton, arrived in San Francisco, and the firm of Whitcomb, Pringle & Felton was formed, and soon attained a leading position and held it for some ten years. Later he associated in the practice with Judge R. Y. Hayne. It would be an idle task to name the im­ portant cases in ,vhich these firms ,vere engaged-the Reports of our. Supreme Court and the Federal Courts, and the memories of the older members of the Bar furnish ample proof of the ex­ tent of their business and the importance of the principles of la,v discussed and illumined by their learning and research. But it ,vas not alone as a learned and successful la,vyer that our friend ,vas distinguished-he was a fine classical scholar ; he spoke the French and Spanish languages fluently and was well acquainted ,vith their literatures. His general reading was wide and ap­ preciative, and made his conversation and company very interest­ ing and much sought after. His personality and manners were charming, attracting both the young and old. We know of no member of the profession whose uniform courtesy to his bretheren of the Bar and to witnesses, and bearing in court, are more worthy of imitation and the study of the younger members of the legal profession. His fairness, truth and integrity ,vere never ques­ tioned. In 1868 Mr. Pringle married Cornelia, third daughter of Sidney L. Johnson, Esq., at that date a distinguished member of our local Bar. by ,vhom he had a family of five sons and two daughters, all of whom survive him. In his family relations Mr. Pringle was most happy; his CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 69 kindly and affectionate nature, his generosity and never failing courtesy won for him the respect and love of all those brought into intimate relations with him, and made him idolized by his wife and children. In the beginning of the current year the Judges of our Sup­ reme Court tendered to Mr. Pringle the position of Commissioner of the Court, to assist them in the arduous labors devolving up­ on them. He accepted and applied himself at once to the work. He was considered at this time in excellent health, with many useful years before him, for, notwithstanding his seventy-three years, he was an active, vigorous man, full of energy, and took the keenest pleasure in out-door exercise. But it was not to be. A sudden illness seized him, and after a few days of struggle and pain he passed away, on the twenty-first of April, 1899. In the death of Mr. Pringle our profession has lost one of its most distinguished members, the State an able and upright judge, and society one of its most interesting and useful members. The vacant place in the hearts and affections of his family can never be filled. H. C. Campbell, E. D. Sawyer, Columbus Bartlett, Committee. San Francisco, October 13, 1899. Cornelia J. Pringle to Mary P. Frost, written at 1816 Vallejo Street, Dec. 16, 1933. . . . . "About my father's Ii f e, there seems more than the memorial you mention, states. That is very good indeed, only to us it was interesting to see how much he enjoyed all that Calif­ ornia afforded that was different for him and yet so congenial to his tastes. There was the agricultural side. It seems to me we were never ,vithout an orchard or a vineyard or a grove of walnut trees in easy enough distance from home to spend our week-ends there. He enjoyed going from one end to the other of the place and delighted in every detail of the planting and caring for the vines and trees. On the purely recreational side, he enjoyed the California life, too. From our earliest childhood a camping trip was an iO THE MILES BREvVTON HOUSE annual event during the school holidays. He drove the camp­ ing wagon himself, studied the Government maps, and loved the exploration of our mountainous country. He rode and swam, and fished occasionally. San Francisco, August 18, 1856. To Mrs. \Vm. B. Pringle, Charleston, S. C. My dear mother: Your picture is very good, at least very good to me. Not as pretty as you are of course but good enough to recall you to me exactly as you are. I have been hanging over it a good deal during the short time I have had it. It looks like a fresh sight of you. Almost like a visit to you. I have had more thoughts of home and feel more of homesickness on its account than I have had for many months. I have enjoyed the study of it you don't know how much! I see that shade of sadness that your face never gets rid of and I am glad they did ~ot make you laugh it off. The effect would have been worse than the sadness that has become a part of you now, and I have grown to love it as a part of you,· only be careful not to let it be deeper. I should not recognize it then.· I see the shape of the head and neck and I seem to recognize every hair. Ho,v handsomely your hair still acquits itself! I see its thinness in some places but I re­ member that, and I think that on the ,vhole it has done wonder­ fully ,vell considering the merciless covering of cap you have had on it so long. I imagine Sue and Beck as they got you up for the occasion and made the most of your hair. I do not see that there is any other need of their services. They probably made a great fuss over you and pretended that they were of great service, but except for the puffing of the hair and the artistic arrangement of that, there ,vas no need of them. I wish they had been taken themselves, especially Beck. Beck I suppose expects to overwhelm me by the reality. I hear that she has improved so much that I shall be prepared for all due admiration-and old Mac! How magnificent he is! I have laughed over him a dozen times. I keep him in the office. How naturally the old fell ow looks. Tell him I am delighted to see him looking so young and well. He does not look a day older than ,vhen I left him. Tell CHRONICLES 41\ND REMINISCENCES 71 him his \vhite cravat is a miracle. Tell him there is nobody so ,veil-dressed in California. I wish you had sent me more of the servants: !v1aun1a and Cretia and Ishmael. I am glad that Papa has detern1ined something for Bill because although I advised his coming out here, I should think the mill at Santee might do quite ,vell. \Vill it be occupation enough for him? Is Santee a good situation? I am very glad he is going to work at it. If he cannot find ·enough good occupation as an engineer, he will have good opportunity of civilizing himself and I hope he will not lose the faculty of working. Bob too is very well fixed. He will have good training in Coffin and Pringle. That will be much better for him than coming out to San Francisco on uncertainty. If he takes care of his business and makes himself use£ ul he is sure of success with Coffin and Pringle. I am delighted to tell you that the Vigilance Committee have released Judge Terry and they seem to be at the point of disbanding. The town seems to be recovering from the incubus of an armed mob that has been so long upon them and something like confidence is coming back. Your affectionate son, Ed,vard J. Pringle. Mary M. Pringle to her son, Edward, in San Francisco. King Street, July 31, 1868. J\Iy beloved son :-This is the birthday of our dead Robert "Blessed Holy Dead"-I still keep the day as one of sacred mem­ ories, of deep abiding gratitude for the precious gift, that the good God lent me for 26 years. I consider them with pride-joy and gratitude, I remember that my son's "devotion to duty was enthusiasm", that he ,vas the "type of Christian soldier"-! dare not indulge in a repining thought at his having been called away before the dark troubles that have overshadowed us, · made his life a sorro,v and a humiliation-he was ''taken from the evil to come''. Rebecca and Baby Frost are with me. And now I have to express our gratitude for San Francisco letters-received as our family party were assembled on Sunday evening in the old draw­ ing room. How gaily the group gathered around the lamp to hear what Aunt Sue said and Uncle James and Willie-all good ne,vs-Sue in the s,veet enjoyment of your love! James happy -\i\Tillie at work-he likes that-: and above all the blessed in- 72 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE telligence that you my son Edward paid full obedience to the Divine Command, "Do this in remembrance of Me"-thank God. ''May God work in you ,vhatsoever is \van ting to fit you for the Divine acceptance and a worthy receiving of the Holy 11ysteries" Your young wife was at your side-how I love her. My son James there too, my daughter Sue-Oh! the glorious goodness of God. May His Holy Spirit render me vvorthy of such rich blessings. I feel that I have no sorrow-only loving kindness to remember-James tells me that he may not be married until November-I am sorry for it-Yet we must yield to the con­ venience and pleasure of those as nearly interested as we are­ I ,vish Cora· would write to me-I am afraid you and James have a hard truth to teach these young women to love and trust your strange old mother and father-and yet it has been so easy for us to take them into our hearts. I bless God daily for the sacred happiness Cornelia has thrown over your home Ii f e-I yearn to have James so blessed by Cora. I hope Sue will stay for the wedding. Rebecca is to leave us tomorrow-she goes to do her duty so I do not repine- y our devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle. Mary M. Pringle· to her son James, in San Francisco. King Street, Nov. 11, '68. My beloved son : I promised to send a line again today to tell of the election. An a_ccurate account has not yet come in. Mrs. Conner and I met in the churchyard on Sunday afternoon and fell into conversation about our public affairs. She had said to a gentleman: "Sir, the State has gone to the devil". He looked so surprised and shocked that she said-"You wonder that I use such a term, but this is a time when words of a true meaning should express ,vhat we think and I think sir that Satan has gotten into the hearts of men and so, the state has gone to the devil. But if Lesesne is indeed elected mayor I will think that his Satanic Majesty has been driven from some hearts". No one of us is better calculated for the position at this crisis, than he is-calm, discreet, dignified, sensi­ ble-·he commands the respect and confidence of everyone-his election ,vill give a new impulse to our local c1;ffairs. Alas! Alas! CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 73 we fear that Massachusetts "scoundrel" has been elected by a small majority-3 o'clock. Pillsbury is elected by a majority of 20. My heart is sick. Your devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle. . Mrs.· Wm. B. Pringle to her son James R. Pringle, in Calif- orn1a. King Street, Nov. 23, 1868. If all men had put their "shoulder to the wheel" at the re­ cent election, God would have helped us too, but Satan has closed the hearts of our people so that in this ward alone seventy-one gentlemen did not vote-in that most delusive of all principles­ "there was no use in it"-they are now heartily ashamed of it. Ah! do tell Edward that the Washington Light Infantry still sustain their noble patriotism, one instance of which is, that ,vhen the "Confederate \Vidow's Home" was organized, they asked permission to supply it with a regular physician. They gave the appointment to Dr. F. L. Parker, and supply gratuitously all of the medicine. Rebecca calls me for a morning ,valk, so I must leave an unfilled page-I can't bear to do it-I al,vays have so much to say to you. "Copy of my brother Ed,vard's letter on receipt of the pic­ ture taken of our dear mother at 80 years of age." Rebecca P. Frost. San Francisco, March 9, 1884. Iviy dear mother: When I sa,v your picture, my first impression ,vas a shock at seeing how feeble you are; because it is so dif­ ferent from my memory of you-but Cornelia, ,vhom I have not seen for some time, as she is with her father ... writes "Your· darling mother! How grand she looks in all her weak and failing health." And as I get over the look of ,veakness first made on me I see your old self with great pride and pleasure-I think it is a noble head and face and I value it verv., much. As I contrast it with the young face of Sully's picture, I admire and love most the old face and brow upon which sits enthroned the glory of a life, of more than eighty years of the noblest duties fulfilled. The fresh young face, pretty as it is, looks like a vacant page 74 THE 11ILES BRE\:VTON HOUSE

beside all that I read in the dear old countenance that is full of its life's expression. The angel of the household! I thank you very much for sending me such a treasure. Ed ward J. Pringle.

San Francis-co, ..~pril 1. My dear Susan: I send you some faint shadows of our Spring flo,vers. I . wish you could see them in the freshness of their glowing colors. These are not the great for est belles ; they are· more every day beauties scattered broadcast over the country. The choice ones seek richer spots and are harder to find. No. 4 is the Flor d' Oro ; it is the greater ornament of the hills, suggestive of the gold un­ der the surface. No. 16 is very like our woodbine without the creeping propensity. No. 11, bright blue, goes very well with the Flor d'Oro, and they join company very often. Ho,v much 22 is like our own Jessamine. I wish I could talk to you satis­ factorily about them but the truth is my habits of observation are not such as to touch on botany very speedily. All I can tell you is that they look· very pretty in the woods. But in sending you the flo,vers, I am reminded of that piece of R. \V. Emerson ( called Sympathy, I think, or Each And All) where he speaks of the charm that is given to one by the other." The great beauty of these flowers is their profusion and brilliancy of color. Try to resuscitate these dead-looking seeds, and call up the Spirit of Flo,vers to take a ne,v shape at King Street or Runnymede. Send some to Mary for me. If you and she can make them grow, they will help you to think of me, and to imagine n1y surroundings. I like them and take great pleasure in seeing them here because I kno,v you would like them so much; and if you can make them grow at home, they ,vill serve to bring us nearer together. They . carry my latest breath. Your affect. brother, Ed,vard J. Pringle. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 75

SUSAN PRINGLE Born 1829-Died 1917 Susan Pringle ,vas the fifth child of William Bull and Mary Alston Pringle. She was of medium height, of a very pleasing appearance of face and figure. 11any of my contemporaries re­ call her with pleasure. I should be able to make a picture of her in her black silk bonnet with a flare which made a charming set­ ting for her face ; her mantilla ; and black silk bag attached to her waist. Her voice and bearing were o·f a gentlewoman of the "old school". There is a photograph of her in a bonnet lined with pink roses ; this would make a lovely miniature. As a young lady she went to Europe, possibly as the guest of her Uncle Robert. She accompanied her brother Edward and his wife on their wedding journey. She visited Donald Mitchell and her sister Mary at their home, Edgewood, near New Haven. She was with us in our summer home at Saluda. Her last visit was to Biarritz, to Maria, the widow of her brother Julius and to their children. This visit was graciously per£ ormed, for Dun­ can Pringle escorted her to France. Our aunt had an ardent affection for her brothers and sis­ ters. They and their _children placed their devotion upon her, giving her somewhat of the attachment which they had felt for their parents in the old home. One of her remembrances was of her brother Robert, whom little Hesse Mitchell called Uncle Darling. \,Vhen Robert opened the street door, Hesse was on the landing of the stairs, they would fly into each other's arms. There was a warm sentiment between all brothers and sisters which must have been fostered through the generations. This sentiment was increased by the attachment of the servants, for the servants formed a background of good cheer; also of merri­ ment; also of prayer. There was also the influence of a lovely house and garden. Our aunt delighted in the garden. She wore a deep sun­ bonnet. a barege veil, and gloves. Her brother Julius always sent pansy seeds from France. \Vhen setting out the pansies, she would place her foot upon them to settle the earth. This did not seem to interfere with their gro,vth. 76 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE

Tony was the gardener. He and his wife Bella lived in the yard. Tony kept manure water in barrels. The garden was full of Bermuda lillies, sweet Jonquils, sweet olive, Cape Jessamine (Gardenia), oleander, pomegranate, En­ glish violets, the cloth of gold, Louis Philippe, Devoniensis, Mare­ chal Neil, and other roses of an earlier date, flourished. The garden was also full of orange trees. "What dainty perfumes floated round; What quaint, old-fashioned, lovely ways, Gleamed in each flower, sang in each sound, And sanctified the happy place.'' My aunt gathered all flowers freely. We helped her to gather and to arrange. One of our childhood friends has said that she was very for bearing with ourselves and our many play­ mates. We had little gardens of our own,. rolled hoop, skipped rope, bounced on the joggling board; played Prisoner's Base, King George and his army; rehearsed scenes from our history lesson. Each year there ,vas a flower show in the Agricultural Hall on Meeting Street. Our aunt vied to win the prize. For Easter and Memorial Day we helped to gather Spirea, ivy, magnolia, ribbon grass, flo,vers. ,v e made crosses, wreathes, anchors, stars. These were taken to adorn St. Michaels Church and the graves of Confederate soldiers. vV e also helped to make bouquets of roses, pinks, violets, bordered with geranium leaves and firmly tied with gardening thread. 111y sister Sue would say: "I want the pool o' ted, the pool o' ted. Where is the pool o' ted !" The bouquets were placed in the large hamper now in the downstairs hall, and freely sprink­ led with water. Tony took this lovely basket forth to be ad­ mired by our winter visitors who then staid in the Charleston Hotel on l\1eeting Street. I can imagine his satisfaction. No doubt he had pride in his flowers ; he also reveled in the human qualities which such a basket ,vould evoke; kindliness, admiration, aestheticism, generous response. Sometimes t4e basket was filled with small bouquets of pansies. Dr. Geddings on one occasion bought the whole basket of pansies. CHRONICLES AND RE1\1INISCENCES 77

The snowdrops now growing in the garden were brought by l\1iles Brewton from England. Snowdrops form small bulbs on the side of the older one and though they be not transplanted from age to age, survive and bloom. We used to gather the orange blossoms from the walk bor­ dering the wall. We took these to the Misses Maz):Ck whose house overlooks the garden. These ladies would convert the flowers in to orange flower syrup. We of course would have a taste of the syrup. Our aunt enjoyed walking, and often walked on King Street after her occupation in the house and garden. Meeting friends and "window shopping",* buying perhaps a teapot, a vase, a china dog, to be given at a suitable occasion, probably never spend­ ing more than twenty-five cents. Ladies visited from 12 - 2 o'clock; and in the afternoon. Visiting and receiving visitors· was considered a duty. Infants were sent to visit their relatives and friends. Young people visit­ ed their elders. Many an elder was possessed of charm and accomplishment, so that a visit was pleasurable and valuable. I can recall these elders now, men and women whose dress and bearing expressed their aspect upon life. They valued the education of literature and language; of music and painting; they observed the constella­ tions, planets, sun and moon. They understood household arts, the preparing and preserving of food, the care of glass, silver, and brass. The culture of their fields required the study of. agri­ culture, of physics. There were students of medicine, astronomy, botany, sociology. Their kno-wledge was born of heedfulness. They were not indolent but active in mind and body. Perhaps hundreds of such people died in the French Revolution, in all revolutions, or lived afterwards in indigence. Likewise there are negro men and women of accomplishment who belong to what is called, I suppose from age to age, "the old school". My aunt received many visitors. There was a large circle of relatives and friends of all ages: Miss Sallie Lo,vndes, Miss Mary Pinckney, Miss Lise Rutledge. She and one of these would sit upon the sofa in the drawing room, in gentle voice speaking

*The phrase was then in use, ~nd _was possibly intro~uced by the wife of a_ belo~ed missionary, who however wanting in the goods of this earth, was well-supplied with the zest of life. 78 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

of the dear ones of their youth. Sometimes there would be merry laughter in relating some happy time of the present, some gay story of niece or nephew. When a niece or nephew came from New Haven, California, France, then indeed was fullness of soul. The great room must be made ready, the great bed with the old blankets and counter­ pane and lamp. Mary must light the fire in the morning and bring a kettle of ,vater for the tub. Bella ( Aunt Bell) must do her best cooking. Cousin James must be at the station. Robert must be at the door to open in welcome. The thrill of meeting Cousin James, of arriving at the old home, of running up the steps; of Robert at the door; of Aunt Sue waiting in the hall upstairs-the embrace, half tear, half laughter! The rush of memory; the remainder in countenance or voice or laugh! There were dear ones from New Haven. There were Harry and Jim, William Bull, Sidney, even Aunt Cornelia herself ,vith Nina and Hess from California. I place ,vith special distinction the visit of Uncle Edward who went to California as a yQung man and returned to visit the home after twenty years. Also the visit of Duncan, Uncle Julius' son, who came each year before returning to France following the example of his father. Then Bella must wear her highest bandana, her gayest ker­ chief, her fullest apron. She will knock and then curtsey. Think of Bill, or Hess, or Nina seeing Bella for the first time after all tJ.ie beloved stories of their father! After the greeting, the asking for dear ones; Hess' S\veet laughter, Nina's rich tones, Jim's sense of fun, Liza's dry humour and deep concern, for she was older and was more intimate ,vith the household, Aunt Susan would say: "Bella, what shall we have for dinner?" On these favored days there must be neither cow­ peas nor carrots, but fresh whiting bought from the fisherman who cries: "Fishee, fishee: I got "'·biting, I got mullet, I got porgy." and potatoes because rice ,vould not be in good form with fish, and corn ,vhich Tony has raised in the garden. Perhaps figs, peaches, grapes, oranges, even pomegranites, bananas, French artichokes, all f ram the garden. Think of the pride and joy of saying: This is my brother CHRONICLES AND REl\1INISCENCES 79

Edward's son or daughter, my brother Julius', my brother James', my sister Mary's ! For Nina there must be a reception and the chandelier light­ ed. Cousin James must see to it that Hess attends the St. Cecelia Ball. She must be taken in a carriage and suitably received. Af­ ter the ball her cousin and youthful admirer returns with her to the parlour ,vhere Cousin James has a fire. The two young ones sit upon the floor before the fire and the three relate with ecstacy the experience of the ball. Later when Hess marries, Cousin James re1nembers his godson "Billie" in his will. 1 After the death of our grandmother in 1884, our parents wished to live in their own home. Our uncle, William Alston Pringle, moved from his home, seventy Tradd Street, to live with my aunt. He occupied the room opening on the drawing room. They lived together with Robert_ and Bella to wait upon them. They had both always lived in well-filled homes; I can imagine that they now rejoiced in quiet. "Sue and I will live together in the tenderest, sweetest way."2 Friends and acquaintances lovingly called, asking the privi­ lege sometimes of introducing a visitor. To one of these visitors my aunt expressed herself freely about the War. She feared afterwards that she might have hurt his feelings in her own home, but the next day he returned to learn more of Miss Pringle's story. The Hon. James Simons and his wife ( Miss Schott) came each Sunday. To Mrs. Simons, my uncle said: "Would you like to see the room in which I was born and in which I expect to die? Is it not a privilege to die in the room in which one ,vas born?" The room ,vas lined ,vith bookcases and filled with books from floor to ceiling. General McCrady relates one of his vi­ sits in his history of South Carolina.3 Mr. Taft, then nominated for President, was introduced by the Hon. R. Goodwyn Rhett, l\1ajor Hemphill and others. At­ tention was given to the letters from Washington and Jefferson to John Julius Pringle. 11 y aunt stated : "That was the time when the office sought the man, not the man the office." The

1. Cousin James was the member of a cotton firm and through prudence was able to liv~ simply but pleasantly. 2. ,vritten to his sister Mary. 3. "South Carolina Under the Royal Government", Page 707. 80 THE MILES BREvVTON HOUSE laugh was turned upon my aunt. I have it in my mind that she slyly intended to be wicked but had not suspected that the game ,vould so quickly turn upon herself. \Vhen President and l\1rs. Taft gave their first reception in the White House, invitations were sent to Miss Pringle and Miss Rosa Pringle. Mrs. McGowan has told me that her son discovered a rare butterfly in the garden. He stepped over the wall into the garden. My aunt looking from the ,vindo,v asked why he was in the garden. He returned over the wall and asked his mother what he should do. She suggested that he should pay a visit to Miss Susan and tell her of the butterfly. He was graciously re­ ceived and was able to add the butterfly to his collection. Johnnie, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Davis, neighbors and dear friends, would say to her mother: "I am going to visit Miss Susan and the Judge." Her mother would answer : "Why do you think that Miss Susan and the Judge would wish to see you?'' The child would answer : "I know that they wish to see me." Mrs. Davis was fond of housekeeping. She would send good things to my aunt. Whenever my aunt would write a note to her and send her some delicacy, she would always add a bouquet or single flower. During these years the entrance floor was occupied by Mr. James R. Pringle and his aunt Miss Rosa Pringle. Cousin James liked to entertain, especially at dinner on Sunday. He was handsome, with so ft brown eyes. For his own reason he had chosen to be a bachelor but for this reason he was very kind; he liked to give pleasure and to have pleasure. He liked to have his table filled ,vith good things and to tell good stories; himself at the head, Cousin Rosa opposite. This story was told of him: A child dropped a dime on the pavement in front of his door. The dime could not be found. Then Cousin James dropped a dime and this ,vas found. Later Mrs. James Mason Hoppin a niece, of New Haven, spent t,vo ,vinte.rs with my aunt-adding to her comfort in many thoughtful ways. Her nephew William Alston Pringle and his wife were in the House during the closing years of my aunt's life. He ,vas to her as tender as a daughter. I spent several summers with her. She was always daintily CFIRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 81 dressed in a black skirt, loose basque of white piquet, and a cap \Vith lilac ribbons. Her complexion was lovely. Time did some­ times bear heavily upon her. Towards the end, her longing was for her mother. She would say : "Let me go. Why do you keep me?" Her nephe\v Alston and his ,vife were with her in the last moments, as were my sisters and myself, Mrs~ Benjamin Rhett and the children of her brother l\1otte, also Mary her maid. My sister Susan suggested that we kneel. She led us in the Lord's Prayer and the prayer for those departed. We placed her in the drawing room facing the East a short distance from the balcony. The departed were always placed there. It is our custom to wear in death a simple gown. lviary and Aunt Sue herself had chosen this gown some years before. My sister placed the beloved roses in her hand. Our aunt bore in death the dignity of some .ancient line. I state this because we are of different types in this life, in dif­ ferent surroundings, having different outlooks. We know that dignity is inherent in life. The funeral was at St. Michaels Church. We chose for her memorial the text : ''For there the Lord promised His bless­ ing and life forever more." Psalm 133. My aunt had a deep concern for the welfare of the house. This house was to her sacred, a part of all that was dear and real. Ho,v could she leave this house, so full of the pulse, heart-beat of life, ,vithout expressing herself. She did so; expressing her­ self to us, and in her ,vill. Reading her ,vill now, nearly twenty years after it ,vas ,vritten, her whole life appears before me; I see her as a girl ,vith her grandparents,* the younger sister of four brothers, gro,ving up in a period of romance and yet of purpose ; having for companion her sister 1\1:ary two years younger; then three brothers ; my mother and her t,vin sister Elizabeth ten years younger; then t,vo brothers, Charles and James. She seems to have been of such a nature that all of her brothers were courtlv., to her and she had a courtliness for them. She ah\rays spoke of them ,vith longing~ ren1embering their thoughtfulness for her. She experienced the passing of these nine brothers, three sisters. In each case there was an individual sorrow.

*She and her sister Mary together, as little girls, would lead their grandfather William Alston into the drawin;;; room to wind the clcck. 82 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

One of us in childhood slept in my aunt's room, t\\ro others in the adjoining room; while t\VO slept ,vith our parents. Our brother Edward died in her arms. She said that she could never again love a child so freely because of the pain in parting. She also experienced the death of Julius a beautiful child of \iVilliam Alston Pringle, whom she had taught to read; my mother's twin, Elizabeth, and little Hesse, the eldest child of her sister Mary. Hesse ,vas in Charleston during the War, her parents were in Ne,v Haven. She died after a short illness. I see her passing through four years of a terrible War; and of the disturbing years that came both before and after. I re­ member her distress in the earthquake, and in cyclones when the roof leaked and the garden was ruined and desolation seemed at hand. This is all ,voven into a pattern ,vhich had duty, love, joy, merriment, many satisfactions, both in youth and age. In her will she desires that her "Three Frost nieces keep all of the letters and papers that are in my large secretary or else­ where in the house." These letters enable me to have an under­ standing, to portray herself and her parents; to know something of life's foibles and of its greatness; and of Divine guidance. Mary P. Frost, 27 King Street, Charleston, S. C. 1936.

13 KING STREET Look forth, old home, from out thy shade Of clinging vine and sheltering tree, Across the waste these years have n1ade Look forth, old home, once more on n1e. Lofty, where all is shrunk and changed, Warm, though thy heart be black and chill, Familiar, in a world enstranged Sacred, most sacred, cherished, still. Still do thine outstretched arms appeal To those who once slept fondly there, Still round thy household altars kneel Thy children's hearts in childhood's prayer. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 83

Empty and silent? \Vhen thy ,valls Ring with the voices of my own, \Vhile some loved shadow softly falls Loved footstep treads on every stone ! Quaint, dark and stately, towering high Above the clustering city streets Apart, yet gracious, proud yet shy Embosomed in thy flo,vering sweets. What dainty perfumes floated round, What rare, old-fashioned, lovely grace Gleamed in each flo,ver, sang in each sound And sanctified the happy place. Did ever brighter welcome gleam Than filled thy ample front with joy And glowed in many an after dream To mock the distant, storm-tossed boy. But what the memories of one When thou hast said farewell to all? . Thy generations now are gone Strangers alone on thee shall call. Strangers! here where my mother prayed. My father blessed his first-born son, My mother's mother softly laid Her babes to rest one after one? No alien foot, or alien hand Has ever ruled where ruled our sires, Or kindled on our hearth a brand Snatched from an alien's colder fires. Time-honoured roof-tree! Sacred hearth! vV ould that ye too could fall and die, In silence sleep on kindred earth Here ,vhere thy race of children lie. Oh floors that felt our life-long tread, \\Tindo,vs where babes peeped at their star, Thresholds whence passed away our dead, O'er which our brides came from afar. 84 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE

Sink, fade away, let earthquakes roar Or storms descend, or \vhirlwinds sweep, So thou be gone for evermore for evermore our secrets keep !

Charleston, Nov. 7, 1862. My dear Sue, I found your thoughtful and acceptable present at Motte' s ... although I was somewhat at a loss to know by what under­ ground railroad they had reached me. ·I keep watch sometimes in my cold dressing room and your warm socks take the place of the fire which few of us can afford to have. How does the Bold Dragoon bear his wound. I should have kept him in town to have made him rough it a little longer. Why I suppose you and mamma and Beck have about a dozen maids and half a dozen men do nothing -but fly around him with poultices and puddings and custards. Put him on a half-rations at once. What a glorious day today is! It was just such a day last year, the 7th of Nov., the day on which Port Royal fell. I re­ member it well-when we all went down to the battery and heard the distant booming of those dreadful guns ; ,vhen the sun looked so magnificerit, and Nature seemed so calm and indifferent to the awful strife which is desolating our country. It is one of the apprehensions which I have of my inactivity that I should lose some of the great lessons which this war can, and no doubt is meant to teach us. The lesson is most severe, but severe as it is, I think I feel the wisdom and mercy of it. The country had got into such a prosperous anarchy, that there ,vas a laxity of principle, and we needed the sharp discipline of adversity to teach us f orti­ tude, endurance, and the calm courage which suffering only can teach. I have been thinking thus for some time past and was very much struck in reading one of the greatest and ,visest books ever written, "Butler's .Analogy" : "The general conduct of nature (by which he n1eans the course of God's dealing ,vith us) is not to save us trouble or danger, but to n1ake us capable of going through them and to put it upon us to do so". What a ,vise and ,veighty sentence. But I did not mean to write you a sermon. But I CHRONICLES AND RE:t\1INISCENCES 85 don't often have a chance to write to you and seduced by the pleasure of a little chat with you, I have wandered from gay to grave. With much love to you all, I am, Your affect brother, W. Alston Pringle.

·1 Rue Beaujour, Paris, Aug. 13, 1870. My dear Susan- I came up here day before yesterday. Among other things, I procured your garden seed, some artichoke, mignonette, heart­ sease, and a great variety of pinks, carnations, anemones, ranun­ culus. You can plant them in the open ground ; frost will not kill them. \Vith much love for all, your affect brother, J. J. Pringle.

March 4, 1846. My dear daughter: Were you surprised at your "nightcap Valentine" that the last mail carried you. I sent a parcel to Sn1ith and Coffin this aft. ... containing your two petticoats, 2 nightcaps, and a yard and one-half of fine lin. for collars and cuffs. I am afraid of my propensity of large cutting after yr particular direction that they sh'd be cut into mere strips. You will think that I never in­ tend to leave town again-indeed I feel so much comforted in having the boys around me, that I am in no hurry to get away. I had a visit this aft. fr Ella and Fanny. They both inquired very particularly after you. Mary has told you how much Ella is admired. She is really a very sweet and refined looking per­ son ... Miss Ella appears exceedingly well-pleased at her entree -talks of having no time, etc., etc. Fanny is invited to 11rs. de Saussure's ball, and is sorely tempted to go, but fears that she will be overlooked and thus be more mortified than gratified. Our Mary looks as if she wd willingly run the risk, if they had been kind enough to ask her. Your papa has ret. fr Santee, and ordered a hasty preparation for Runnymede where we are to be hurried tomorrow. Our old gentleman promptly determined to go to Mrs. deS. this evening, but alas! I fear it will be with 86 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE bare hands, for verily, the wedding gloves are too soiled now­ Adieu, Adieu, love to Sarah and E. Your dear mother, Mary M. Pringle. Written to Susan Pringle, Pelham Priory, New Rochelle, N. Y., Under Rev. Robt. Bolton. Unc. Julius Mar'd., 1849, Maria Doncan of Natc~ez, Miss. To Susan Pringle at New Port-Dec. 7, 1869. My dear daughter: I am gratified at understanding from your letter that you are enjoying the fine, bracing climate of New Port. I love to think of you and Maria in sweet social companionship at the genial fireside. It must do you good, my child, so I think of you with a £resh bloom upon your cheeks again, and Maria as ~he strong matron controlling her household. Motte is better. Ella is devoted to him. I sit with him daily that Ella may take a walk. When she returns they kiss and caress each other so tenderly that I tell them only my strong maternal devotion can influence me to place myself in the most trying position of seeing how much he prefers her to me. Your devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle. CHRONICLES AND RE11INISCENCES 87

1\'.fARY FRANCES PRINGLE Sixth Child of William and Mary Pringle MARRIED Donald Grant 11 itchell

"My mother- She it was who gave me life, light and ,, l ove .... Born in the "Sunny South", there she lived all her happy young Ii f e . . . . and I have been told that as a child she was full of energy and always happy in doing for others. On a trip to the North in the summer of 1852, she met my father at Sara­ toga Springs. Mary Pringle was asked if she would wish to meet Mr. Mitchell. Belonging to a period when a gentleman would ex­ press his desire to meet a lady, she answered: "Would Mr. Mitchell wish to meet me." Mr. Mitchell sought an introduc­ tion . . . . ''That she was more than merely beautiful, each day revealed to him. Her strong common sense . . . her tender and beautiful devotion to her parents, disclosed to him the worth of her character." Her father belonged to a period when the head of the house found it difficult to discover any man worthy of his daughters­ Mr. Mitchell came to Charleston in December. The daughters -Susan and 1\1ary, were at Runnyn1ede. Mr. Mitchell wrote from Savannah: "I cannot altogether pass out of the reach of Charleston without wishing Miss Pringle a most 'Merry Christ­ ma.s', and without expressing my disappointment at not having found her in the City. I know you for a true lady in all gentle­ ness, and in all pride of feeling; and as such I need not say (for you know it) that I have admired you and esteemed you, and loved you. And now may I come back to Charleston with such an avo,val on my lips? I am sure that with your true womanly dis­ cernment you kno,v very much of my character already. Nor have I any fortune to bestow than will provide the comforts of a quiet country life-saving only such as can be wrought ( with 88 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

God's help) out of this hand and brain. And if you write me that you love your Southern home too ,vell to leave it ever, I ,vill bear the disappointment as stoutly as I can, and sincerely hope ( as I do now) that God may bless you always." When Donald Mitchell returned to Charleston, Mary Prin­ gle herself opened the door, ,vearing the brown merino dress that he had liked. Their married life ,vas founded upon enthusiasm. There was earnest purpose; a capacity for meeting life. Mary Pringle was of ardent nature, capable in her home. Donald 11itchell supplied the sentiment that she valued, a love of Nature, a contemplative life. "I have the dear old letters which show their love for each other, so pure and uplifting each for each. 11ay 31, 1853, they were married in the drawing room at her home in Charleston. A friend who was at the wedding has told me, "She was the most radiantly beautiful girl she had ever seen." They lived for a time in Ven ice where my father · was Consul ; then in Florence, and in Paris, ,vhere "little Ressie" was born. In 1855 they returned to America with the idea of making a home. With my mother's Southern ideas of hospitality, and their com­ bined love for things beautiful in nature and art, we children grew up ,vith privileges beyond most. Of course there were trials and worries-whose life is without them? But there are some people who accept with a brave heart and keep on giving courage and strength to those about them-that ,vas my mother. Ten children, six girls and four boys, all grew up in this happy home, and everything we wore, she made. vVe were all taught early to care for ourselves, and each child has his or her duty about the house and garden. A child will sometimes think a duty hard, but there will come a day when every one of those tasks becomes a blessing. "Mr. Mitchell's warmest affections centered in his home. To him the very ,vord was one of the richest and most meaning­ ful in the English language, one that quickened his memory and inspired his hope. His love of home was not a quick-blossoming, transient affection: it was long nurtured, deep-rooted, permanent. Always, too, he associated the home of his dreams ,vith the song of birds, the color and perfume of flowers, and the shadows of great trees. He thought of home as a living organism, as a thing subject to growth and change, not as a thing finished once CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 89 for all. Edgewood, however, shadowed at times by circumstances, was always and essentially a place of animation and cheer. Abounding life made it so. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell became the parents of eleven children-seven girls* and four boys-and in consequence their home was the centre of a large social activity which radiated a vital heartiness. For years youth reigned at Edgewood. It was a part of his creed that to make a home loved, it ought to be lovely . . . Edgewood was an almost ideal home for children. On all sides the book of nature lay wide open be­ fore them. The father ,vas at once friend, companion, and teach­ er. . Under his guidance they came to know the trees, the flowers, and the birds with a closeness of observation acquired only from such observation. Joy and romance were in the very air they breathed. Children and flo,vers are near of kin, he used to say, and too much of restraint, or too much of forcing, or too much of dis­ play ruins their chiefest charms. He therefore sought to balance the freedom and abandon of their out-door life by a discipline not less firm and effective because it was informal and unobtrusive. Industry ,vas inculcated by example more than by precept. As soon as a child ,vas old enough to understand and enjoy, it was taught to perform little tasks as a part of the day's pleasure. Each child had its pets, its flowers, or its corner in the garden. Likewise the children came to know the beauty of simplicity in dress and in manners. The silent example of both father and mother, re­ vealed how noble a thing is mastery of the spirit. Of all praise, he valued most heartily that which came from his wife; and it must be said that she knew ho,v to praise heartily and sincerely: "Here I am, after a charming journey made much shorter by the re-reading of Dream Life, which I took to glance over, but read every ,vord; it all seemed heartier and truer, and better than ever." (Written in 1892 from the home of her daughter.) Mary Pringle Mitchell to her sister, Susan in Charleston. Ne,v Haven, Edge,vood, August, 1861. "You can't in1agine, dearest Susan, the mercy the receipt

*"Little Hesse" was in Charleston with her grandparents. She tlied after a short illness. 90 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE of yours of the 8th ,vas to me, coming as it did just before this terrific battle. I should like to send you some of the papers that you might see how this press is now farced to admit the strength and the ability of the South Carolina i\rtillery. \Vould that North and South might now think ,,ve have all had enough of ,var, shake hands, and be better friends in the two countries than we have ever been in the old one. Do send me some list of the unhappy ones who fell in the S. C. A. Don't iet us talk war. \Ve feel sure of each other's love and sympathy outliving all ,vars, but keep and love tenderly cur little fugitive as a hostage until something turns up. Tell me all things and all about my little Hesse, if she is obedient and good, and how far she has ad­ vanced at school. Tell her Min. and Liz. and Pin. drive every­ ,vhere ,vith me and old Dobbin. In love and hope, Mary Pringle Mitchell. Letter to Susan Pringle who had been visiting her sister Mary, about 1867. "Dearest Sue, you will be surprised to hear that we only arrived home last evening. I hope to send your bundle off to­ morrow and also a barrel of apples for Papa-I found the boot buttons at .08 cts a gross at Macy's, so I have put in a gross of them for Sue Huger. _Do give a great deal of love to all my dear old friends and tell them I am watching and hoping for a chance to go to see them, but all my ships meet with head winds, and bring me in such small cargoes, as only serve to keep the sheriff off. The chicks all miss Aunt Sue and wish she had come back with me. Do write and tell me how you find all, not forgetting the garden and flo,vers. With heartiest love for each one, Most lovingly yours, l\1. P. M. "Letter writing is a home office to cultivate. Write letters and you will find them all through life delightful airy ,vindows opening out upon other spheres, and bringing sweet voices to your table and your hearth, giving ne,v quality to home cheer and home talk by their contrasts, and opening with the postman's knock, breezy corridors through which troops of friends may trip to give. you greeting.. '' "With all her sweetness and loveliness of character, her CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 91 admirable good sense, and sound judgment were yet dominant." ( Donald G. Mitchell \Vriting to his daughter.) "The life of no other American quite parallels that of Mr. Mitchell. His interests were many. He was author, editor, practical farmer, landscape gardener, critic. It was character­ istic of him to consider his practical work at Edgewood, as of more value than any of his writings. I shall attempt to reveal something of his courageous life; something of the secret of his power; som~thing of the means by which he influenced his fel­ low-men.''

REVERIES OF A BACHELOR: OR A BOOK OF THE HEART. By Ik Marv.el-Illustrated Edition: Charles Scribner, 1852 "\Vill Mrs. Pringle keep this little book as a token of the earnest and thankful regard which the writer feels for that Dignity and Truthfulness of character, which the example of the mother has so richly confirmed in the daughter." (Don'd G. Mitchell, Charleston, S. C., June 8, 1853.) There is in the house a charming photograph of Mrs. Mitch­ ell with her t,vin grand-children. The children are now grown and ,vith children of their own. The quotations in this chapter are from a brochure, "Mary Pringle Mitchell", by her daughter, and the life of Donald G. Mitchell, by Waldo H. Dunn, and from letters in the house.

"THE SORROW OF IK MARVEL" "The thousands of readers who have shared ,vith "Ik Marvel" the beautiful and wholesome thoughts of his "Reveries of a Bache­ lor", will keenly appreciate the author's deep loss in the death of his wife. For half a century she had been his devoted com­ panion, an ideal wife, and a steady inspiration to the genial writ­ er." "Though the world at large cannot measure the real depth 92 THE 11ILES BRE\VTON HOUSE of Mr. Mitchell's loss, nor the sorrow of his spirit at this moment, it can at least sympathize silently with him and recall some of his o,vn exquisite ,vritten thoughts of solace and comfort. No writer was ever in more intimate touch with his readers. They have sat in front of his fireside and talked ,vith him many times, receiving a cheery sympathy \\rhen they felt sad and weary, smil­ ing ,vith him at his delicious conceits when humour was the mood, and nursing and dreaming ,vith him ,v~en the flames flickered low. Though they did not know it, the sweet person­ ality that has just passed out into the night was always present at these helpful chats, and thus the author's loss will be shared in a special sense by his readers.''

Compiled by l\1ary Pringle Frost, 27 King Street-January ( 1938)

FRANCIS Le JAU FROST

REBECC.. ~ BREWTON PRINGLE Francis Le Jau Frost was named for his ancestor, the Rev. Francis le Jau. He ,vas the fifth son of Edward Frost and Harriet Horry. There were 8 sons and 2 daughters. He was graduated at the South Carolina College, Columbia, S. C., class of 1859; graduated at the I\1edical College of the State of South Carolina, class of '61. He passed through the war of '61 finally becoming a surgeon on the staff of Lieut. Gen. i\. P. Hill. This appointment ,vas made for "gallant action on the field". After the ,var, he determined to plant the rice fields on the Santee River, inherited by his mother. Rebecca Bre,vton ,vas the daughter of William and Mary Brewton Alston Pringle. She ,vas named for her mother's sister, Mrs. Robert Y. Hayne, called ..:-\unt Bre,vton~ and for her great­ grandmother Rebecca Brewton Motte. The name, Rebecca, has always been valued and has in each instance been the name of one who could inspire ; could as it· ,vere strike the living water from the rock. The Hebrew sig­ nification of the name is "of enchanting beauty". The beautiful CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 93 picture of Rebecca, the wife of Isaac, would encourage all who bear this name to keep it in reverence. Our mother reminded me of Rachel the ,vife of Jacob \vho valued the household goods of her father sufficiently to take them and to conceal them. Our mother valued all that her parents gave to her, blankets, coverlets, damask tablecloths, and showed herself worthy by the care that she took of them. We have a few, but vivid, reminiscences of her childhood and youth. I now realize how little she spoke of herself. She had perhaps the spirit of the emigrant, slipping out from the old and engaging herself in the new. We have a daguerreotype of her in youth-this shows her to be beautiful. She also had a sense of fun and humor which delighted her husband and children. We remember rolling her down the middle walk in a little four­ ·wheel vehicle; also in a wheel barrow. In youth our cousin Miss Kate Ravenel of 13 East Battery, my mother and others were taught by a tutor in the south base­ ment room. In summer Cousin Kate would rise at 6 o'clock; her mother would give her an egg beaten with sugar ; she would then walk to the King Street house where they were taught until 8 o'clock. There ,vere seven brothers older than my mother and two sisters; two brothers younger. They gathered with their friends in the north parlor for dancing-. Our mother spent an evening every other week ,vith her dear friends, the Middletons. They like,vise spent an evening with her. Parents vvere addressed as 11amma and Papa. There was an affection and sentiment between the brothers and sisters which lasted to the 4th generation, and should continue always. The eldest, vVilliam Alston, was "Brother"; ,vhile 17 years older than my mother there ,vas a s,veet companionship. I re­ member the devotion ,vith ,vhich my mother visited him when he was sick and bereaved. I remember her tone in saying "Broth­ er". \Vhat lovely words coming through the ages-Father, Mo­ ther. B~other, Sister. "\Ve fe\v, vve happy fe,v, we band of brothers. for he today that sheds his blood ,vith me shall be my brother." The ,vord no,v takes a deeper meaning, for the broth­ er may be against us, yet ,ve desire him, seeking him beyond this human confine. 94 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

John Julius, Edward, Motte, each had his place in my mo­ ther's life. The middle ones were \Villiam Bull, 11iles Brewton, Robert. The ones younger than my mother were Charles and James. \Ve h.'11ow each of these intimately through our mother. She proved her love by the kindliness that she showed to their children when as young men and women they came to visit the city of their parents. Our grandfather inherited Runnymede on the Ashley River. It was the custom to visit these country places in December and April. Our father's family was at Fairfield. These estates were farmed and provided food for the city. All families met at St. .i\ndrew's Church. Our grandfather Frost had the square pew in the N. E. corner of the middle aisle of St. Michael's Church. Our father used to visit his grandmother in Abbeville. Our mother looking across from her pew would wonder what had become of that little red headed boy. They really met at Society Hill where our grandparents refugeed during the war. Our mother's brother James asked to bring his friend to the house. The men were on furlough. Our grandmother said that this was a good occasion since there was a pig for dinner. Our father fell in love with our mother and determined never to lose sight of her. They became engaged after the ,var. Our grandfather and all visitors sat together in the South parlour. Our parents were considered to be very "bold", (inde­ pendent) because they withdrew to the North parlour across the hall. They were married in St. Michael's Church-Dec. 11, 1866. The chandelier ,vas lighted. Our father ,vas devoted to our mother's nieces and nephews. When he learned that these were not expected to be at the wedding reception he ,vas distressed and said that of course they must be present. Messengers were hurriedly sent to the "Tradd Street home" and the "Legare Street home". The children arrived gleefully. Even now they re­ member their joy over the summons. Our mother's trousseau ,vas sent to her from France by her brother Julius and his wife Maria. The under,vear ,vas simple; sewed and embroidered by the Nuns. The material was some,vhat heavy but beautifully woven. We still have parts of CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 95 this underwear: very sheer handkerchiefs ,vith initials; ,vhite stockings ,vith an embroidered clock. We also have the ,vedding dress-basque and skirt. Our mother did not put on the dress until the time of the ,vedding. She ref used to have an engagement ring. Perhaps such a ring ,vas not then the custom. She knew that the money ,vas needed for their living. Our father gave to her a handsome cup and saucer-now in the house. Our father did not know that he had money. He found that his father had placed $2,000 in the bank, the proceeds of a crop, for him. My mother's father placed $75.00 into her hand, stating that it was all the patrimony he had to give, having lost his fortune in the Confederate War. Her mother gave to her a Bible. Our parents spent the night in the gentlemen's drawing room. The next day, perhaps, they left for Camp l\1ain on North Santee River where our father was to be a rice planter for the next ten years. Our father said that it was a vulgar idea to go on a honeymoon as if a man did not have a home to which to take his wife. They drove in a buggy. Aleck Raphael, who was to be the cook, walked. Our father at one time made this walk. Our father's sister, Mrs. Parker had prepared the home persuading her mother to spare a carpet and other valuables. The home as I remember ,vas of one story, two rooms on each side of a hall, a piazza, a garret with dormer windows. I remember a beautiful live oak with grass sloping from its base. Our father was a good provider. He ,vorked in his flo,ver and vegetable garden. On one occasion our mother waited for him until ten o'clock-he had forgotten that he had not had breakfast. At one time my mother became lonely and even wept; then my father said there was nothing to be done but to take her to her parents. Remembering the well-ordered home and the plantation home in ,vhich she, my mother, had lived before the war, it is not surprising that she should at times have been over­ come. She came to her parents for the birth of each child. Re­ turning to the plantation with her first-born one of the Negro 96 THE l\1ILES BRE\VTON HOUSE women said: "E's bleege to be beautiful :tvia'am; yer so beautiful yerself Ma'am." ...~ gracious tribute from a generous nature.

l\Irs. Pringle to her daughter: December 27, '66. My beloved daughter: I have never before understood how dis­ interested my maternal love is until no,v, when I find myself re­ joicing in your happiness. I love to picture you in your new home, to think of your heart opening to new affections. 0 f your mind turning to new duties. May the Holy Spirit purify and strengthen you in them all. Thank God that you have a Christian operator-a husband who will walk hand in hand with you in religious services. Who will join you in saying "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Cook Martha is leaving us ... she has honorably refunded her advanced wages as her husband insists upon her going to the country with him. Your devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle. Their life at the plantation was a full and happy one. There was a community of planters within a radius of a f e,v miles. Our father ,vas the only physician. He practiced medicine, surgery and dentistry. He did not charge for his services. After ,vorking in the field all day, he ,vould go out at night to minister to the sick negroes on the plantations. He was a lay reader at All Saints, vVaccamaw. He and my mother liked to entertain the clergymen in charge-the Rev. 11r. Glennie, the Rev. Mr. Prentiss. In the summer the planters moved to South Island on \Vinvah., Bav., to avoid malarial fever . I no\v pause to consider the t,vo presents given to my mother on her wedding day. My father preserved the $75 increasing it so that it became in time $7,000. At the end of 40 years our parents found it necessary to live upon this money. The Bible is a valuable and handsome book. I consider my grandmother's kno,vledge and daily use of the Bible; therefore the fruits of her daily living was the gift of a Bible to her much beloved daughter. This Bible ,vas pub­ lished in Glasgow-William Collins, Queen's Printer, MDCCC­ LXIV. Engraved by Day and Son Lithors to the Queen. On CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 97 the cover is inscribed: Rebecca Brewton Pringle from her mo­ ther, Decem her 11, 1866. On the inside in our grandmother's writing is the text : The Lord bless thee and keep thee ; The Lord make His face to shine upon thee .A.nd be gracious unto thee : The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee And give thee peace. (Numbers-Chap. 6, Verse 24-25-26.) We now turn to the end of The Old Testament to find the Family Register. My father has written in this Register with dignity, and appreciation of the import of the ,vords.

PARENT'S NAMES Husband-Francis le Jau Frost, M.D. Born-June 1, 1837 in Charleston, South Carolina Wife-Rebecca Brewton Pringle Born-March 9, 1839, in Charleston, South Carolina Married-Tuesday, December 11, 1866 at 8 :30 P.M., in St. Michael's Church-Rev. P. T. Keith, Rector Francis le Jau, Fifth son of Ed,vard Frost and Harriet Vander­ horst Horry Rebecca Brewton, third daughter of \Villiam Bull Pringle and Mary Motte Alston · CHILDREN'S NAl\lIES \Villiam Pringle Frost Born-7 :40 A.11., December 30, 1867, Charleston, S. C. Christened-February 8, 1868, St. Michael's Church, Rev. P. T. Keith Godfathers-W. Alston Pringle-E. Horry Frost, Uncles Godmother-Susan Pringle, Aunt Edward Frost Mary Pringle Susan Pringle 98 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE

Francis le Jau, Christened May 1, St. Philip and St. James' day Rebecca Motte Glory be to Thee, 0 God, for these inestimable gifts, and for all Thy other bountiful and merciful loving-kindnesses and benefactions.

DEATHS EDWARD FROST DIED, October 19th, 1871, Aged 2 years, 4 months, 11 days; of Yellow Fever, Charleston, S. C. BURIED, October 20th, St. Michael's Churchyard, Rev. R. S. Trapier. He died at the old ·Miles Brewton mansion in King Street, the house of his maternal ancestors since about 17 67- " Jesus called a little child to Him."

WILLIAM PRINGLE FROST "An Heir of God through Christ", died at 46 Savage Street Charleston, S. C., March 31, 1891, at 8:10 P.M. of Volvulus of the Intestines, after an illness ( ,vith an operation by 4 sur­ geons) of about 89 hours and 40 minutes.

We yield Thee thanks, blessed Father, for our two dear children, ,vho are ,vith Thee in Paradise. Thou hast guided them through the Valley of death-they see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 0, Lord Thou hast bid them come unto Thee. Lord Jesus, Thou hast received their spirits, and hast opened unto them the gate of everlasting glory. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 99

Thou hast placed them in the habitation of light and peace, of joy and gladness. Thou hast received them into the arms of Thy mercy and given them an inheritance with Thy saints in light- There they reign ,vith Thy elect angels, Thy blessed Saints departed-Thy holy Phophets and glorious Apostles, in all joy, glory, felicity and blessedness, forever and ever. Amen. ( Inscription made by Rebecca P. Frost.)

Francis le Jau Frost to his father-in-law, Wm. Bull Pringle at the time when he relinquished rice-planting. In relinquishing finally all connection with Richfield (plan­ tation), I beg to express my profound sense of obligation and gratitude to you for the uniform course of kindness, liberality and ccnfidence with which you have always treated me. This will ever form in my mind one most pleasant link and association with the place, which no reflections of wasted energies or blighted hopes can ever mar or efface. Very affectionately yours, F. L. Frost.

Tribute of Respect. At a meeting of the officers of the 1st Regiment Regular Infantry C.S.P.A., stationed at Camp Evans, S. C..... the following re­ solutions were offered : I. Where as it has pleased the Almighty Disposer of events to remove from among us our brother officer and friend. Resolved that in the death of Lieut. Charles A. Pringle, ,ve mourn the loss of one whose high-toned honor and courage, generous impulses, amiability, suavity, modesty and in­ telligence rendered him an ornament to the service. IL That ·we deplore his death and will cherish his memory. III. The we tender to his bereaved family our sincere sympathy in this great affliction. John Dunovant, Col., 1st Infantry, C.S.P.A. 100 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE

The letters of Mary M. Pringle to her sons-written in an in­ expensive black book. No date is given. In Jan. 1, 1834, is "A Prayer for a son who is sent to school and absent from parental care". The names are mentioned in one letter-Alston, Julius, Edward-these are the three eldest children-born, De­ cember, 1822, Sept., 1824, Feb., 1826. These three sons edu­ cated at the Temple in London. My beloved sons: This being the first time of our separation, it is natural that our hearts should feel a deep and peculiar grief. Time will relieve your hearts of a great degree of the distress that now oppresses them, without destroying one of those fine and tender feelings which so much endear you to your friends. Great is the risk to which a child is put when first taken from the roof of parents, whose fondest care has been to guard it from every evil, to which its youthful nature is subject-firm must be the basis that can withstand the temptations to which the noblest natures must be exposed. I feel all the confidence that a mother can enjoy in you, my dear boys. Still you are young, very young, and with hearts so entirely given up to contribute to the pleasure and happiness of your companions; that, I fear you may be thrown with some unworthy · characters. who may mislead, even whilst you may feel secure in the path of virtue. To avoid these snares, let me recommend to your most serious attention, the constant habit of reviewing at the close of each day the motives by which you have been actuated, through it let every action be strictly scruti­ nized and the motives that led you to it ; let every little error be considered with abhorrence as leading to vice. "Let not sleep," Pythagoras says, "fall upon thy eyes till thou hast thrice reviewed the transactions of the past day. Where have I been turned aside from rectitude? \Vhat have I been doing?" However irksome this task may at first be, be assured that it will carry you on to a reward that will far outpay its former tediousness. A constant attention to your morals will not in the least interfere with the improvement of your mind, rather it will spur you on to diligence. Do you ,vish to repay my maternal solici­ tude-gain this enviable stand, and give to my heart that fondest, proudest feeling, that I have given birth to beings who elevate human nature by their perfection, and glorify God by their worth. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 101

Remember that this is the time to acquire while your minds may be yet impressed with new images, a love of innocent pleasures, and an ardor for useful knowledge . • My beloved sons : Your letter of the 10th afforded me the pleas­ ure of knowing that you had safely arrived at the conclusion of your journey without meeting with any of the accidents, or be­ ing irritated at any of the casualties attendant on traveling. I am delighted to find that you depend entirely on each other for the alleviation of the painful feeling, created by your absence from home. Encourage this fraternal feeling. You will derive from it the sweetest sympathy of friendship, a friend­ ship not formed or established by the laws of man, but consecrated by the commandments of God. In the bosom of a fond brother you will find the most disinterested affection. So closely con­ nected by nature, she has kindly lent a degree of similarity which renders the intimate familiarity agreeable. I disapprove of your beginning at present the studies of French and Italian. Your other studies are of too numerous and important a nature to be neglected for accomplishments that may be acquired in a year or two after you have completed your collegiate course; after which you cannot expect to have the ad­ vantages of the Superior Master and methods of instruction that is laid open to a young man at college, who ought there£ ore to devote himself to those abstruse studies which require the super­ intendence of persons not only acquainted with them, themselves, but in the habit of imparting this information. You say you will deduct the time necessary to be diverted to them from your amusements-although pleased at this I cannot sanction .. it, as I think a certain portion of each day ought to be set apart for exercise and recreation when your habits must be of s0 sedentary a kind. Do not suppose that I allude to the idle pleasures of a card table, or the degrading ones of a wine party-but a walk with an agreeable and intelligent companion. I would advise the selection of one a few years older than yourself, that he may from his larger fund of information be able to contribute to your knowl­ edge, as to your pastime. The field of nature is one of the most instructive books open to the perusal of an investigating observer; you may return from a ramble with a well-informed companion with a new fund of information which will elevate your soul and 102 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE open your intellect, whilst you ,vill at the same time have en­ joyed the advantages of fresh air and exercise, both very neces­ sary to the health of the body and the elasticity of the mind. My beloved sons : Accept my grateful thanks for your punctuality in writing. Your arrangements with regard to your studies are very judicious, I would only make one alteration; you say nothing about rising early in the morning, now I ,vould recomn1end that you should retire to bed at an earlier hour than the one you have fixed and to arise proportionately early in the morning. Let the sun find you prepared for your studies; this season is particularly suited to application after the mind has been refreshed by sleep and before it has been fatigued by previous employment, or occupied by pleasure. By method and perseverance alone, will we succeed in our undertakings: To understand a subject and to make your­ self master of it, you must devote a certain portion of time entirely to it, for getting for that period everything else. My beloved sons: I do not expect from you the mature judg­ ment of experience, or cool deliberation of age, but only the watchfulness of good sense, and the exertion of occasional self­ denial ,vhich is easily attained if we only allow ourselves a mo­ ment's reflection, and_ do not act before we think of the conse­ quences. You are certainly old enough to understand the im­ portance of this and a little practice will convince you of the ease of it. I wil~ quote Dr. Johnson whose opinion you must value from the truth and perspicuity that breathes throughout his writ­ ings. I feel particular pleasure and confidence in recommending the maxims. by this sage, as we kno,v him to be a good as well as a wise man. Dr. Johnson's lives of the English poets may be read many times ,vith pleasure as \vell as improvement. His ~ambler is written in a strain of morality and piety, so unconnected with tediousness as to afford important lessons on these subjects with­ out that dryness generally considered inseparable from them. I hope you make use of your Spectator; from it you may take lessons of our purest English style. Dr. Franklin attributes a great portion of his own improvement in writing to these vol­ umes. He not only perused them with attention but set them before him for imitation. CHRONICLES ~A.ND REMINISCENCES 103

You read before you left home the letters of :Niadame Sa­ vigne; from them you may observe that the chief beauty of epistolary ,vriting consists in a natural and easy style. These letters \Vere not intended for the public eye ( as may be deduced from the domestic detail that occupies the principal part of them) ... they are the effusions of a mother's heart to a darling and only daughter; dictated by an improved and elegant mind. Here you met \vith no studied sentences or abstruse reflections de­ livered in the bombastic language of pedantry, but all is natural, correct and feeling. My beloved sons : I have sent you the books that you desire, and hope that you ,vill derive from them all the pleasure and improvement that you anticipate. I have added to them Rollin's Ancient History ,vhich I recommend to your attentive perusal­ the important facts of the times that he treats of are represent­ ed in this ,vork with a perspicuity that renders them intelligible to most con1prehensions, and it is pleasingly diversified by details, that add to its entertainment without detracting from the dignity compatible with a ,vell-,vritten history-the greatest fault is that the author too frequently intrudes his opinions, thereby preventing the advantage to the reader of forming his own. To do away with this defect, you must exercise your own judgment before you arrive at his, you may then, by comparing your opin­ ions with his, have the satisfaction of knowing if they agree with those of a learned and sensible man. I ,vould advise that you should first collect all the informa­ tion in your power on Ancient History, before you commence Modern, so as to avoid confusion of ideas. Do not hurry your­ self; read to obtain all the information of a volume, and not only with the wish of getting to the end of it. You had better read but a fe,v pages a day, that may be \vell digested, than many more hastily skimmed over~ ,vhich leaves the mind in an unsatis­ ~actory confusion, tending far more to its disadvantage than to its improvement. You must agree ,vith me· in thinking it pre­ ferable to say that, "I have not read a book", than to allow that you have read it but ,vithout having received any advantages from it. I admire your taste in being so much pleased with Homer's Iliad-Homer's masterly hand carried us in to the very midst 104 THE MILES BREvVTON HOUSE of his battles. He thrills our hearts with all the hurried, im­ petuous, heroic feelings of his combatants, and leads us into all his domestic scenes. He is more simple than any of the great poets and yet has more lively beauty, and sublimity than any of them. Pope's translation, ho,vever, good and correct, can only give us an idea of the superiority of the great original. I hope in a little time you ,vill be able to enjoy him, and I ,vill derive my share of the gratification from hearing your opinion of it. We admire the softer beauties of his Odyssey, and acknowl­ edge it a great work, until ,ve compare it with his Iliad. I have somewhere met the following beautiful idea, that Homer may be compared in this poem to the "setting sun whose grandeur still remains without the heat of his meridian beams." Virgil's £neid must next claim your attention. He is more chaste and more tender than Homer, which may be at­ tributed to his living in a more refined age : this does not de­ tract from Homer's merit but rather gives to him the claim of originality and confirms his title of the father of "Poetry". Sunday. My beloved boys: I will devote part of this Holy day to impress on your minds the first great and most sacred duty of human beings to the Omnipo~ent Creator on whose mercy we exist; the per£ ormance of vVhose ,vill is the guide to perfection. Who can look around on the ,visdom of the arrangements of nature and not feel there must be a God? Who can enjoy the blessings of life and not ackno,vledge the hand of a Merciful God? In some instances, mystery clouds His ways, but would it not be daring presumption in our endeavoring to scrutinize or speculate on these when we have so many others, broad and glaring as the light of day, on which to build our faith. Let us rather adore what we do understand; and bow in hu1nble submission to ,vhat is above our comprehension. In going to a house consecrated to the services of God we ought to feel as if we ,vere entering more immediately in the presence of our Creator, to offer to Him adoration; free, from the thoughts of this world, and grate­ ful acknowledgments for the blessings and mercies that we have received from His hand.. The weakness of human nature re- quires that there should be some external forms of ,vorship to attract and retain attention, without which the cares, pleasures CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 105 and blessings of life would very soon so entirely engross our hearts as to leave no room for the remembrance of the great Source from whence we have derived all our benefits. The Sab­ bath was established by the express command of God by which He gives us a time and season for worshipping Him and of re­ lieving our own bodies by a rest from all work. This mercy is even extended to the animal part of the creation ,vhich we are likewise commanded to leave unoccupied, thereby giving them a season for recruiting their weary limbs and exhausted strength. Recollect my injunctions about your Bible. I do not care about your reading the Old Testament at present ; indeed I would rather that you should not; many parts of it are of too abstruse a kind to offer to you any informati

My beloved boys: I have sent you Cooper's novels as worthy of your perusal from their intrinsic worth, and as being the produc­ tion of your countryman. They are supposed to be written in imitation of Sir Walter Scott's novels; with the additional in­ terest to Americans, of representing the events of our Revolution­ ary struggles. After having lately read a History of this period, these volumes ,vill be particularly interesting to you. The Pilot is generally considered the best. Like his prototype, he has fallen off in his latter productions. The anecdote told of him is this: After having read one of Scott's latest ,vorks, he laid it down, saying he could write better himself. His wife urged the at­ tempt, ,vhich he in compliance ,vith her wishes, consented to. 'Tis melancholy to see how often genius allows itself to 106 THE 11ILES BRE\\iTQN HOUSE sink under indolence and carelessness, thereby losing a fame ,vhich had at first been established on such fair and promising grounds. vV e feel inclined to think contemptibly of the man ,vho ,vill sacrifice his reputation to so mean an indulgence. Let us derive from these examples all the benefit \Ve may by learning the ill effects of indolence, and exerting ourselves against its fascinating snares. Habit will as easily and as firmly establish good, as bad principles. How much information might ,ve acquire, ho,v much good might ,ve do if ,ve reflected with as much regret as did the good and wise Cato, v.·ho enumerated an idle day among the three things for which he reflected on himself-Rome gave birth to many .of the brightest characters of history ,vhich is surprising as it was first peopled by the meanest dregs and outcasts of so­ ciety. \Ve must attribute it to the wisdom and virtue of its first la\v-givers and rulers. You will examine ,vith interest the directly contrary charac­ ters of Sparta and Athens-these rival cities founded on such different models rose to equal eminence and fell from the same cause, too much luxury and wealth. Money was first introduced in Sparta by Lysander, after his conquests in Asia-Lycurgus, the celebrated law-giver of Sparta, or Lacedoemon, had establish­ ed the use of iron money th~t f ron1 the inconvenience of its weight, it ,vould not too much increase. Ile thought only of encouraging war, conquest, endurance of fatigue and self-denial. Cicero says that Sparta retained its primitive manners ,vithout changing its laws for 700 years-which can be said of no other nation. Solon, the law-giver of Athena; established things on the other extreme-encouraging commerce, industry, learning, arts and science. I will make no more remarks on these subjects, thinking that I hav~ said enough to excite your curiosity without destroying the interest that you will feel ,vhen reading, by hav­ ing communicated too much. It will be more improving to you to ,vrite me your observation. Let me kno,v what characters you particularly admire and vvhy you do admire them. My beloved sons: I indulge myself in the fond hope that you continue in that amiable and honourable line of conduct in which it has ahvays been my endeavor to instruct you. I flatter myself that you will receive my advice and pay it serious attention al- CHRONICLES i\.ND REMINISCENCES 107 though you may sometimes think it rather dull and not absolutely necessary. .A.ttend to it as the admonition of one ,vho has had more experience of the world and consequently is better acquainted with the passions to ,vhich the human heart is subject-of none ,vould I advise you more seriously to be,vare than that of envy; which destroys our finest feeling and deprives us of our most delightful pleasures. First, it looks with evil eye on the pros­ perity of our fellow being; indulgence in these instances, soon rears this insidious monster in the bosom of our own family, ruining that harmony ·which should exist between the dearest and nearest connections; and preventing that purest and most sacred happiness of enjoying the prosperity of our brother. Ex­ amine every emotion of your heart that you may eradicate the smallest germ of vice which like the mustard seed grows to a great gro,vth and spreadeth its branches to the furthermost cor­ ners of the earth. Beware also of the despicable vice of false­ hood. Let the strictest veracity attend the most trifling circum­ stances. Many people are led into this error by an exuberance of spirits or a dangerous influence of wit, thoughtlessly sacrific­ ing truth to the embellishment of an amusing story. A little practice, confirms this into a habit; which changes the lively nar­ rator into a liar. Of intemperance too I must speak. Often does this degrading vice originate from an equally trifling cause. A gay companion may entice you to take a glass too much, a mistaken idea of gentleman's consequence, may induce a weak youth to drink an equal portion with his companion-again comes habit to render ,vhat was at first disgustful, agreeable to the palate. Thus you see from what trifling circumstances man very often degrades himself, sacrificing to a sensual gratification the noblest gift of God-for with loss of reason in what are we superior to the brute creation ?

Beloved sons : I would advise when you are next at leisure the attentive perusal of Beloc's translation of Herodotus' History­ in addition to a great deal of curious information that you will meet with in the original, you will have the advantage cf many explanatory notes of the translator, or selected by him from the best authors, elucidating the obscure passages, or preventing erroneous impressions that may sometimes be made from the dark and superstitious age of Herodotus. 'Tis agreeable to read 108 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE an author who is generally styled the Father of History, who lived during the events, or. very shortly after, that he has trans­ mitted to posterity. His style has always been admired as par­ ticularly pure and chaste, more so than of any of the Greek authors. Speaking of histories, reminds me of Voltaire, with whose "Age of Louis the 14th", I am sure you will be .delighted. At the time of its publication it ,vas particularly admired as being on a new plan, that is, being more diversified with characteristic traits, and domestic details of the manners and customs of the times of which he wrote, giving a more familiar idea of people, and at the same time devoted attention to the importance of seiges and battles. This innovation was certainly very agreeable and will add to the reputation of Voltaire as being the introducer of it. It fills us ,vith melancholy when we think of the genius of this man, to reflect on the unhappy ideas that mislead him on the most important point in the happiness of an immortal being. His Universal History is a collection of the important and in­ teresting events of several ages. It has sometimes been objected to on account of several inaccuracies which have been detected in it-but this defect in your situation may be overcome by the assistance of your instructor, ,vho will point them out to you. I placed among your collection of books, Lord Chesterfield's letters to his son, which I would not only advise you to read once but many times. I look upon them as the most valuable books that can be placed in the hands of youth-it takes in every stage of education, conveying important and interesting informa­ tion in the most concise and entertaining style. He not only makes you ,vish to learn but puts you in the way of understanding ,vhatever you attempt to learn. He gives the most important rules to be a man of learning and the most useful ones to be a gentleman of fashion-clearly proving that these two characters are not incompatible. To be all that I wish, you must take the precepts of Chesterfield for your example. As I have been so strenuous an advocate for these little volumes, I must be careful in observing a fe,v exceptions that I would make. In the first place, I differ with him in regard to natural affection, in which he places no faith, terming it "all nonsense". He is also too dis­ trustful of mankind. Reserve to the world in general, I think CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 109 an excellent rule. Certainly .nothing is more ridicuious and dan­ gerous than that prattling confidence which causes us to expose all our domestic affairs to the scrutiny of strangers, or indifferent persons-but there is a vast difference between this contemptible communicativeness and that suspicious reserve which he recom­ mends of treating "our friends as if they were one day to be­ come our enemies". This is, I think, a dangerous extreme ; very apt to make us unamiably suspicious. I hope you will be able to attain the happy medium of enjoying a judicious friendship­ but at the same time recollect that secrets are best kept in our bosoms by telling the secrets communicated to us we betray con­ fidence, infringe our word of honor, or commit the affairs of our friends to others-all, or each of which is the greatest impropriety that we can do. My beloved sons: In writing to you I devote the greater part of my paper to subjects that I think will contribute to your im­ provement rather than filling my sheet with professions of love, of which I have already given you proofs enough to insure your constant gratitude and warmest affection. At present my great­ est anxiety is for your advancement in learning and in virtue­ to contribute to this I will extend to you every assistance in my power-I will spare no expense, care or trouble. At the distance at which you are now separated from me; I can only perform this duty by placing you under the care of the most competent instructors, guarding you against vice by my admonitions and in­ citing you to diligence and perseverance. I am sure that you will repay my tenderness, care and expense by improving the talent that Nature has given you. No plea of want of talents will excuse a want of exertion; on the contrary it ought rather to be a reason \vhy you should the more exert yourself, as we know, that art very often countermands even nature. It is certainly in the power of every man to be a good scholar as well as a good man; store your mind by study, fix virtue in your heart by prac­ tice and self-denial, polish your manner by frequenting good society and attention to the rules and custo~s of polished society. I am glad to hear of your taking dancing lessons, not that I am ambitious of seeing you caper in a ball-room ( which is, I think, one of the most ridiculous situations in \vhich a man can place himself) but rather that I should see you move with grace 110 THE MILES BRE\:VTON HOUSE and ease as ,vell when you walk as in a dance, the elegance of which I think consists in graceful ease and dignity, accurate at­ tention to the time of the music and a knowledge and proper de­ gree of attention to the figure of dancing. From what I have said, do not suppose that I wish you to decide what ought to be taught you by your dancing master. I only wish to make a proper se­ lection-after you have finished with him. \Vhilst you are under his superintendence it is necessary that you should attend to what­ ever he desires you relative to his particular department of in­ struction. I shall feel proud and happy not only of hearing that you are men of brilliant parts and great acquirements-but some little pride, also, in having you remarked as elegant and polished gentlemen. True an empty head with a fine coat is a very con­ temptible thing, but a nice coat does not in the least detract, and need not interfere with a well-stocked head. Neatness and at­ tention to dress gives as little trouble and consumes as little time as would be required to arrange an a,vkward, or a shabby suit of clothes.

My beloved sons: It would I am sure, re,vard you for all th~ trouble to which you have been put, co~ld you be fully conscious of the exquisite happiness that I feel at hearing of your improve­ ments in your studies; the propriety of your behaviour, and the purity of your morals. I feel confident that the account is_ cor­ rect as I have received it from your worthy preceptor 1fr.--- . to whom you must ever consider yourself debtors. En- deavor to make him some return for the care that he has so con­ stantly taken of you by an undeviating habit of respect and at­ tention and implicit obedience to all of his injunctions. This is not only necessary as a mark of your gratitude and esteem, but is equally so for your own advantage as his wisdom and ex­ perience have made him fully competent for every branch of in­ struction not only with regard to your intellectual improvement but also with respect to your moral perfection which you are no,v old enough to consider of the utmost importance. This is the season for establishing your principles, because it is the most critical period of your life, just when you are capable of enjoy­ ing all the pleasures of the world, before the judgment is strong enough to be an unerring guide, or the resolution firm enough to ,vithstand the temptations to which you are daily exposed; but CHRONICLES AND RE1\1INISCENCES 111 these are only reasons why you should be more ,vatchful; always recollect that the greater or more difficult the task, so in proportion will be the honor of your superiority over them. I would have you attend to every minutiae of life: to be not only men of ac­ complished collegial education, but informed on every subject; which kind of minor information you will find very useful, it is to be acquired with little trouble and care, principally by observa­ tion and inquiries into whatever you do not understand. I also re­ quire strict attention to all the lesser as well as greater virtues; to correct not only the vices of human nature, but all the little foibles of your disposition. From my d,velling so much upon the correction of vice I hope you do not misunderstand me and think that I fear that you possess them. No, my children, 'tis only my solicitude that you should attain the utmost perfection of human nature. It is perhaps a point on which I am unreasonable, as I cannot think with patience of your being merely good men, but I expect that you should be perfect. Endeavor at least to be so and it is all that I wish. You kno,v not how much can be gained by constant application and perseverance. I send you the memoirs of R. B. Sheridan by Thos. l\foore as worth your perusal. It will agreeably occupy some of your leisure moments. It is written in the charming style of l\1oore, ,vhose lively genius ,vas necessary to portray ,vith accuracy the diversified talents and inconsistent life of -this splendid orator.

My beloved sons: In my last, I spoke to you of Moore's Life of Sheridan. His account of Burke induces a comparison be­ tween these great men, their dispositions were as .different as their oratory-Sheridan's eloquence carrying everything before it; whilst Burke, plodding on, with his ungraceful elocution, not­ ,vithstanding the purity of his literature, fatigued his audience, with speeches that on their perusal, astonished persons with their elegance of diction and purity of style-as an orator, he was so dull, as frequently to be left in an empty house, and yet these very speeches, when published, have gained for him the epithet of "the great Burke".

My beloved sons : In my letter of the 20th, I spoke to you of that kind of reputation ,vhich ,vomen s0metimes derive from being connected ,vith men of renown. This reminds me of a 112 THE MILES BRE\,VTON HOUSE dearer species, still independent of one's own talents, I allude to the glory of a woman who has given birth to a genius, which I look upon as the very acme of felicity and the most delightful celebrity. Lend me your aid, my beloved boys, that I may enjoy this happiness, at least allow me a portion of it, you can be vir­ tuous and amiable and by study and perseverance, you will ac­ quire reputation in the literary world. You all, I think, improve in your letters. They of course have some faults, allow me to point them out to you. Yours, my Alston, are sometimes too studied in their expression, that is, you use hard words when easy ones would do as well, nay better, for they would give an appear­ ance of ease and facility of writing-but at your age, this is hardly a fault; it shows improvement and the good sense of manhood will convince you of the affectation of it. You, my Julius, write with too careless a hand, with too many interlinea­ tions, blots, etc., and my little Ed,vard must attend to his spell­ ing-your mistakes of this kind are few, but I would have none­ 'tis so easy to refer to a dictionary, rather than commit an error that attention will easily prevent. To complain of these defects would be unreasonable of me, I only mention them in justice to yourselves, that I may not again have occasion to correct them. I am pleased at your writing to your grandpapa, for whom I hope, you will ever entertain the warmest affection and most excellent respect. I ,vould advise that you write, occasionally, to all your relations, I mean your nearest. I think it so necessary a mark of your respect, that to enable you to do so, I will give up, now and then, my claim to theirs. I would always have you encourage with the most unvaried attention, all natural affections, no situation will excuse a neglect of them, but in your case, it is particularly called for, as your relations have always bestowed on you the greatest affection . . . . the heart that forgets these emotions, must be depraved indeed, and incapable of enjoying the finest feelings of human nature. My beloved boys: I hardly dare trust myself on the subject of your vacation. You must consult your tutors and be guided by their advice. Put your hearts out of the question. To pay us a visit after so long an absence, must be, of course, the most agreeable; and for me to deny myself this happiness, is at present the greatest sacrifice that I can make. I feel as if I were com- CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 113 mitting an outrage against my own heart, until my better judg­ ment comes to my assistance, ½·hen all selfish feeling dies away and I think only of the benefit and advantage to my children, an exulting pride takes place of all foolish, womanish tenderness and I can repeat with firmness-take the advice of your instructors. My beloved boys: I may congratulate you on your well-spent vacation and compliment you on your self-denial and resolution, in deferring for another year your visit to us. Your behaviour to us has been so uniformly affectionate, that we can attribute to the proper cause, your determination and admire the good sense and judgment that enabled you to make so great a sacrifice for your improvement. Every day of your life will, I hope, con­ vince you more and more of the advantages of learning. On this subject I would have you entirely agree ·with our paragon of information that "study is nourishment to youth, pleasure to old age, and ornament to posterity, a refuge and comfort in ad­ versity''.

Fairfield Beloved boys : In dating my letter from this place, I feel that I afford you a subject of agreeable recollections. The spot that has been the field of your childish sports ; the scenes that recall your youthful innocence and happiness ; the patrimonial seat of our ancestors, visited, or even reflected upon after a lapse of years, opens to a ,varm and affectionate heart the most delightful recollections. You ,vill on your return to old Fairfield, find it almost entirely unchanged in its appearance. You may probably miss a few of those old trees, that have yielded you the protection of their shade . . . others that you left in their youthful prime, are now thickly clad ,vith the foliage of maturity-young striplings are quickly shooting up to manhood-which recalls to my mind the growth and improvement of my sons, which I have endeavored to assist by lending every helping hand of art-the rest I leave to their o,vn exertions, and to the Almighty aid of our God-for \Vhose blessings may you ahvays endeavour to n1ake an humble return by a grateful heart and lively faith. Your melancholy feelings will no doubt be excited by finding the places of several of our faithful domestics, vacated by death, those who were wont 114 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE to perform vvith such che·erfulness, your commands, joining with their duty, the willing spirit and lively good nature, endeavoring to amuse your childish humors, or to pacify your ,vayward in­ clinations. I hope you will always think of them ,vith gratitude, nay even with respect.

Beloved boys : In your last package of books, you ,vill find the "History of the Expedition to Russia, undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon, in the year 1812, by General Count Philip De Segur" ... My beloved boys ... It appears rather incongruous that I should fiy from ancient to modern. But as I have just finished Griscom's tour in Europe, I cannot take a better opportunity of recon1mend­ ing it to you. He at all events, deserves the reputation of a liberal and intelligent traveler, who has let nothing escape his observation that was worthy of the attention of the benevolent and enlightened philanthropist. My beloved boys : I think you are right in proposing a second perusal of "Plutarch's Lives". They are volumes from which you will always derive improvement. Although his style is in­ elegant, he more than compensates for it, by his sound morality, agreeable narrative, and the justness and correctness of his feel­ ings. His plan of drawing comparisons. between his heroes has been of unparalelled excellence and very much heightens the value of his work : as it opens to careless -and unreflecting minds a new source of weighing and estin1ating the different characters, which can never be so ,vell done as by a judicious comparison.

FROM THE PRAYERS OF MARY M. PRINGLE, WHICH ARE BEAUTIFULLY \VRITTEN IN A WELI... -BOUND BOOK. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 115

"PRAYERS SELECTED AND ALTERED FOR P ARTIC­ ULAR OCCASIONS-" KING ST., 1822.

"The habit of addressing our prayers and thanksgiving to a Power superior to any of earth, tends to elevate and enlarge the mind, to support us under affliction, and to render us humble and unassuming in prosperity.'' (Madame Campan.)

In every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiv­ ing, let your requests be known unto God.-Philippians-4 :6. May I always present myself before my God, with a firm faith and holy hope in His promises and mercies; with greater rever­ ence to His !~finite Majesty, with the humility of an offender; and with a full purpose of keeping God's commandments. May the thoughts of eternity quicken my devotion; my wants make me earnest; my back-sliding make me persevere; and may I never wilfully give way to distracting thoughts. May I wait with patience and holy faith, and leave it to Thee, 0 my God and Saviour, how and when to grant my petitions, by the in­ fluence of Thy blessed Spirit. Amen. I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God ,vill hear me. Micah-Chapter 7: v. 7 A prayer for my ,vedding day, March 5, 1822.

I humbly implore God's blessing on the important trans­ action that is to take place this day. I am about entering into a relation the most important, sacred and solemn. Ratify and confirm in heaven, 0 my God, what is about being done by Thy gracious sanction on earth. May the lives of my husband and myself be honorable, happy and prosperous. May our love and harmonv., render our relation and our lives a true emblem of the union subsisting between Christ and the Church. May our mu- tual love never expire and may it be consecrated and dignified by Christian confidence and esteem. Like Zachariah and Elizabeth may we ,valk in all the statutes and ordinances of the Lord blame­ less. In all things may we submit with faith and resignation to the ,vill of God. When separated by death may we have the 116 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE holy hope of meeting beyond the skies amid the joyes of Heaven. Graciously grant this prayer O God for Christ's sake. Amen. "I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, 0 Lord." Psalm, 140 :6 A woman's prayer on behalf of her husband, March 6, 1822.

I humbly beseech Thee, 0 God, to send Thy blessing uport my husband; give him length of days, if it be Thy holy will: and increase in him ever more and more the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. Let him never be conformed to the wicked customs of the world, nor waste his precious time in unprofitable amuse­ ments, much less in the pursuit of those vain and sinful pleasures which wound and debase the soul, and ,vhich, ho,vever, pleasing they may no,v appear, will one day end in bitter and severe re­ flections. Inspire him, 0 my God, with a love of religion and virtue, that all his recreations and diversions, all of business and employments may be such as are suitable to the conditions wherein he is placed, and as becomes a servant of the true God. Grant, 0 gracious God, that not only his thoughts may be pure and holy but that all his actions and behaviour may be agreeable there­ to, free from all just cause of suspicion and offence and not so much as sullied with• the least appearance of evil. Enable him so faithfully to discharge all his duties, in this life, that when Thou shalt be pleased to take him hence, he may dwell with Thee, in life everlasting through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. "Teach him to do Thy ,vill; for Thou art God; Thy Spirit is good; lead him into the land of uprighteousness." Psalm 143-v. 10

A prayer for a woman with a child, 1822. 0 God, ,vho art the Author of our being, the fountain of life and of all blessings, spiritual and temporal; Thou art great and doest ,vondrous things. Thou art God alone. I adore Thy glorious majesty ,vhich has begun an excellent work in me, which no eye but Thine can see and no hand but Thine can finish. B1: pleas1d I beseech Thee in Thy great po,ver and goodness, to com­ plete and perfect that which Thou now hast begun in me; give CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 117 to it its due shape and full growth, and preserve me from all frights, or evil accidents; and bless and sanctify my unborn child, 0 God, in mind as well as in body; indue it with an under­ standing capable to know Thee, with a heart bent to fear Thee, and with all these holy and good dispositions that may make it always acceptable in Thy sight. 0 sanctify it, I beseech Thee, from the ,vomb, and. receive it and reckon it for Thy child as soon as it is mine; lent to me for my comfort, but created and preserved by Thee for Thy service and glory . . . through the merits of Jesus Christ our saviour. Amen. "I now beseech the Highest that He will comfort me unto the end"- 2nd Esdras-Chapter 12 :6. My child, God's own word is, "fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee." October, 1822. A thanksgiving to be said, by a woman, after her delivery. Dec. 2, 1822. _ 0 Father of mercies and God of all comfort, I Thy unworthy servant do now present myself to Thee, to return unto Thy Di­ vine Majesty, my humble than½s for that Thou has vouchsafed to deliver me from the great pain and peril of childbirth. Blessed be Thy Name, 0 my God, that Thou has turned my sorrow into joy and my pain into ease and tranquility; continue, I beseech Thee, Thy Fatherly goodness to me; let Thy merciful Providence still ,vatch over me and Thy strength support me. I commend likewise to Thy mercy and goodness this tender infant, preserve it that it may be regenerated and born again by baptism; that as it is Thine by creation so may it thereby be made Thine by adoption and grace, and be daily renewed by Thy Holy Spirit, that it may always be of the number of Thy faithful servants. For Jesus Christ's sake. "Unto Thee, 0 God, will I pay my vows; unto Thee will I give Thanks." Psalm 56 :12 A mother's prayer on the birthday of a child, December 2, 1823. Blessed be God ·for the creation and birth of my child, for all the known and unobserved favors, providences and deliver- 118 THE l\1ILES BREWTON HOUSE ances by \vhich his life has hitherto been preserved; most humbly do I beseech Thee, 0 God, to forbid that my child should ever abuse or neglect any one of Thy favors, or that he should ever forget his God, in Whom he lives and moves and has his being. Through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

A mother's prayer for her children, January 1, 1826.

The lives of our children, 0 my God, are in Thy hands. In Thee they live and move and have their being. May their hearts be filled ,vith thankfulness and joy for the mercies of their God. May they exclaim in the language of Holy devotion: "Our soul will magnify the Lord". Enable them to make a full and be­ lieving dedication of themselves to God. May my children al­ ways live before God. ~Iay they live to maturity of years. May they receive the instructions of their parents and by them (as humble instruments), be trained up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Amen.

"Pour out Thy Spirit upon my seed and Thy blessings upon my off spring." Isaiah, 44 :3.

And as Hannah dedicated little Samuel to Israel's God may I, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, dedicate my children to God the Father. A mother's prayer for her children, January 1, 1827. 0 Lord God, I know not \vhat I should ask of Thee, for my children. Thou, only, kno,,rest vvhat they ,vant and Thou lovest them better than I can love them. 0 Lord give to them, who I pray may be Thy children, \vhat is proper for them­ .whatsoever it mav be- I dare not ask either comforts or crosses. -' I only present my children to Thee, 0 my God. Behold their wants which I am ignorant of; but do Thou behold and do ac­ cording to Thy mercy. Smite or heal; depress or raise them up; I adore Thy purposes, without k-nowing them; I am silent, I offer my children as sacrifice, I abandon them to Thee, having no greater desire than that they should accomplish Thy will. Teach them I pray. Pray Thou, Thyself in them by the in­ fluence of Thy Holy Spirit, 0 God, for Jesus Christ sake. Amen. . CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 119

"Help me to ,vatch and pray, .. A.nd on Thyself rely; Assured if I my trust betray, I shall for ever die."

Now God Himself, and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto You. I Thessalonians, 3 :11

A mother's prayer for her children, Jan. 1, 1828. 0 my God, for Jesus Christ's sake, make my husband and myself kind and tender parents, truly careful and solicitous to promote the welfare and happiness of our children. Let Thy Holy Spirit assist us to form in their minds the principles of religion and virtue, to teach them to remember Thee, their Creat­ or, in the days of their youth, and to bring them up in Thy fear and love. Let us make it our constant care and endeavor to wean them from all pride and vanity and to set before them the ex­ an1ples of holy and religious lives. 0 let the powerful efficacy of Thy good Spirit root out of the hearts of our children all corrupt and sinful affections, and instead thereof, do Thou sow the incorruptible seeds of Thy Grace, that they may become par­ takers of Thy divine nature and may bring forth in their lives the fruits of righteousness and true holiness. Defend them 0 Lord, I beseech Thee, against the evils and temptations of this world; and grant that they may never be led away by the wicked customs and examples ; the lusts and vanities of it; but obediently keeping Thy Holy Will and Commandments, and walking in the same all the days of their lives, may be instruments of Thy glory by doing good in their generation, and after they have served Thee faithfully in this world, may hereafter be made partakers of everlasting Ii f e and happiness, in that ,vhich is to come, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. "Behold, ,ve come unto Thee; for Thou art the Lord our God.'' Jeremiah, 3 v :22 A mother's prayer for her children-January 1, 1829. 0 God, Thou art the Holy Father of mankind; Thou hast implanted in us the parental instincts; and commanded us to train up our children in the nature and admonition of the Lord. We 120 THE MILES BREvVTON HOUSE feel our awful responsibililty and often exclaim, who is sufficient for these things? But Thou, 0 God, givest ,visdom to the ig­ norant and power to the faint. Aid, 0 aid us, in discharging the duties ,ve owe to those whom Thou hast given to us and con­ tinued to us.. vVe give them up to Thee, ,vho are able to fulfill all of our petitions. Rescue them from the numberless accidents and diseases to which they are exposed. Let their tempers be love­ ly, meek and kind. Let their manners be simple and engaging. May they be respectful towards their superiors; obliging to,vards their equals; and condescending* towards their inferiors. Let not envy,

*This word is somewhat changed in meaning. and pride and censoriousness, render them disdainful towards others and wretched in themselves. l\iay they speak evil of no one, but upon their tongues, may there dwell the law of kindness. May they hate and abhor sin and all deceit and hypocrisy. May they al­ ways be willing to receive instructions; and be diligent in acquiring all the knowledge and improvement, that may render them the blessings and ornaments of society. Keep them from evil com­ pany. If sinners entice them, may they never consent. We ought not to seek great things for them in this world, but O my God, let them live in Thy sight. Let them be numbered ,vith Thy saints, in glory everlasting; let them be blessed with all spiritual blessings, in Heaveniy places in Christ. May ,ve lay up for them treasures in Heaven; may we be concerned to leave behind us, a large inheritance of prayers and holy instructions and examples -with the blessings of God, that maketh rich and addeth no sorrow with it. Should they be removed from us, may our Heavenly Father gather them with His arms_, and carry them in His bosom; and may we be prepared to resign them. And if, as we humbly and submissively implore, 0 God, their lives should be spared, may they gro,v up, and prove our honor and com­ £ort ; serve their generation according to Thy will, and walk be­ fore Thee in the land of the living. If their parents should be taken from them-,vhen father and mother forsake them, may the Lord take them up. If they should be deprived of their fa­ ther, be Thou, 0 God, the Father of the fatherless; or should they be deprived of their mother, do Thou, 0 Lord, comfort them, for Christ sake. Amen. "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 121 day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." 11alachi-3 : 17 A prayer for a son who is sent to school and absent from parental care, January 1, 1834. Regard, 0 God, for Christ's sake the child who has now been sent from parental watchfulness. In all his ways may he acknowledge Thee and be Thou the guide and guard of his Ii fe. May uprightness preserve him. May he be dutiful, obliging, diligent and faithful. l\1ay he always remember that the eye of God is upon him ; and be not only amiable, but pious ; and in favor with God as well as man. Grant O gracious God that he may redeem his time and acquire the improvement that will fit him for usefulness in his day and generation. Let his life be precious in Thy sight and, 0 my God, let him be made wise unto salvation; and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon him; that he may be a useful and ornamental member in Thy church below, and hereafter a pillar in Thy temple above. May our natural affections be strengthened and sanctified by inquiry and correspondence and divine remembrances at the throne of grace. Amen. "Be Thou of good courage, fear not; for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with Thee; He will not fail thee nor forsake thee." Deut.-31 :6 A prayer for a son who has left home for a professional educa­ tion, October, 1840. "Lord God for Jesus Christ sake, bless and protect my son. Give him grace readily and meekly to submit to the restraints connected with the acquirement of that kno,vledge in his pro­ fession ,vhich is necessary for his future support, usefulness, hap­ piness and honor. Make him dutiful, obedient and kind to those placed in authority over him. Give him grace to manage his temper, and most ,visely to govern and regulate his speech. Make him a praying youth. l\1ay he ever begin and end his day with intercourse with God-Lord preserve him from temptation. To God's holy care I commend my child's soul and body, through the merits of Jesus Christ." 122 THE MILES BRE\iVTON HOUSE

"Apply thy heart to instructions and thy ears to the ·words of knovvledge." Proverbs, 22 :12 .A. prayer for a son going to sea-December, 1840. "I adore Thee in 1~hy almighty po,,,.er. Thy universal gov­ ernment and Thy boundless grace. Thou art He who spreadest out the heavens and rulest the raging of the sea. I commend my son's soul and body, his life and his ship to Thy divine and gracious care. Preserve him from the dangers of the great deep. Preserve him from furious winds and tempestuous billows. Let every individual and mariner on board be clothed with Thy righteousness and redeemed with Thy blood. May harmony and peace prevail during the whole voyage. Let the love and fear of God inflame all their hearts. And in due time restore my son to us, 0 God, for Jesus Christ sake. Amen." "Though I am sometimes afraid, yet put I my trust in Thee." Psalm 56 v. 3 A mother's thanksgiving for her son's having reached a foreign port. 1841--. A prayer for a son who is engaged in the duties of educa­ tion-Sept. 1, 1842. · "O my son keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments and His judgment, and _His testimonies, as it is written in the law of 11 oses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and withersoever thou turnest thyself." 1 King 2 v. 3. Mother's twin sister, Elizabeth. She died of scarlet fever. A mother's prayer for a sick child-Dec. 27, 1843. "O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need; I fly unto Thee for succour in behalf of this child lying under Thy hand in great weakness of body .... 0 raise her up again-if it may please Thee-to grow in years and stature, in wisdom and in Thy fear and thereby to comfort her parents, and to serve and glorify her God. I believe and acknowledge O Holy, Allwise God that Thou knowest best what CHRONICLES .A.ND REMINISCENCES 123 is fit for her and us, and that Thou, in Thy great mercy wilt do ,vhat is best for all, and, therefore, I humbly resign her life to Thee, beseeching Thee to have mercy on us. But whether she live or die, let her be Thine ..... Through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen-i\men. A mother's prayer for a sick child-January 18, 1844. "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, .... I desire to feel humble and submissive under Thy holy, sovereign will. I lay my child at Thy feet, Thou merciful Jesus, who in the days of Thy flesh said-'Suffer little children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' ..... I commit her into Thy arms-I bring my suffering child to Thee ... May her groans enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and may her health be restored and her days lengthened ... Amen. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59, 1. On the death of my child, January 22, 1844. "Almighty God., our heavenly Father, wh9se judgments terminate in mercy-Whose will is always just, right and wise, grant I humbly beseech Thee, that the remembrance of my child ,vhom Thou hast taken· from me may not load my soul with un­ profitable sorrow but may incite in me true repentance of my sins and negligences, and by the co-operation of Thy grace may produce in me a new life pleasing to Thee. Grant, 0 my God, that the loss of my child may teach me the true use of the bless­ ings which are yet left me; and that however bereft of worldly blessings and comforts, I may find peace and refuge through the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour. Amen. "Comfort the soul of Thy servant, 0 God, for unto Thee do I lift up my soul."

A few hours before her death, my dying child turned to me and said, as she folded her little hands in an attitude of prayer, "Mama tell me"-God prompted the answer-I immediately said

the first few sentences of the Lord's Praver,J which Elizabeth slowly, but distinctly repeated ; She ,vas too weak for more. 124 THE l\1ILES BREWTON HOUSE

.~ prayer for one suffering under heavy affliction, January 30, 1844. 0 Almighty and merciful God, ,vho hast not only directed but encouraged us in all our troubles to call upon Thee-hear I beseech Thee, the complaint that I now make, and the prayer which I pour forth in the anguish and bitterness of my spirit; for Thou hast shown me heavy things, 0 God, and in the midst of all my prosperity hast been pleased to mingle a bitter cup for me. What the troubles of my heart are, how heavy they lie upon me, how deeply they wound me, I need not labor to express to Thee, 0 my God, for nothing is hid from Thee-£or not only the blessings ,vhich Thou hast poured upon me through all the minutes and hours of my life, but the difficulties which I groan under come from Thy hand ... Give to Thy sad and afflicted servant that measure of grace and patience that I may not only endure ,vhat Thou hast laid upon me, but entirely; willing­ ly, and even cheerfully submit to Thy will .... Let all that is afflictive to me, serve only to ,vean me from the world, and draw me nearer unto God. Amen. "For the Lord, thy God, will hold thy right hand saying unto thee, Fear not: I will help thee." Isaiah 41: v. 13.

A Thanksgiving for the recovery of children from illness. Feb. 1, 1844.

A Mother's prayer for her son on the day of his marriage. Feb. 6, 1845. A prayer for a daughter who is absent from parental care for the purpose of receiving the advantages of education. Sept. 27, 1845. Aunt Sue-Pelham Priory, New Rochelle, N. Y. "Heavenly Father, Lord God Almighty, I come to Thee to implore Thine aid and protection for my child, who is absent from me. Make her to walk in Thy ways and so shall she be blessed-Give her the strength to do that ,vhich is righteous in Thy sight, and may no allurements of gentleness or pleasure ,vile away her heart from Thee-Make her diligent in all her duties ... Amen. CHRONICLES AND REl\fINISCENCES 125

"And the very God of peace sanctify you ,vholly; and I pray God, your ,vhole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Thess. S :23.

A prayer for a son on his engaging in politics. 1846. "Almighty God, who art the giver of all wisdom, enlighten my son's understanding with knowledge of right, and govern his will by Thy laws, that no deceit may mislead him, no tempta­ tion corrupt him; that he may always endeavor to do good and to hinder evil. Amidst all the hopes and fears of this life, take not Thy Holy Spirit from him, and grant that his thoughts may be fixed on Thee, and that he may finally attain everlasting hap­ piness for Jesus Christ sake. Amen. "That which I see not teach Thou me." Job. 34, v. 32.

A prayer for a son who is being exposed to the dangers of war-1847.

.l\. Thanksgiving for my son's recovery after having been wounded during a period of war, June 6, 1847. "Great and 11ighty God, ,vho bringest down to the grave and bringest up again; we bless Thy wonderful goodness for hav­ ing turned our heaviness into joy . . . . by restoring this my son ... Blessed be Thy name that Thou didst not forsake him ... but didst assist him ,vith com£ orts from above; didst support him in patience and submission to Thy will." (The above form of thanksgiving was used in St. Michael's Church on June 8, 1847, by the Reverend Mr. Young, after ,ve had received information of the convalescence of our son, John Julius Pringle, \vho had been wounded in lv'.Iexico.)-May my son from this time cry unto God-"My Father Thou art the guide of my youth." Jeremiah-Chap. 3 v. 4.

A mother's prayer that a son may be strengthened in his good resolutions. February, 1848.

Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust, and not be afraid: 126 THE 11ILES BRE\VTON HOUSE for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He is also become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord: for He hath done excellent things: this is ki10,vn in all the earth. Cry out and shout, for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of Thee." Tsaiah 12. A prayer for my husband and myself, our children and our servants-December 25, 1850. Stir up every soul among us, 0 God, to root out of our hearts all pride and vrrath and bitterness; all hatred, malice and desire of revenge; and whatsoever may hinder us from dis­ cerning and practicing the things that belong to our peace ; and inspire every one of us ,vith true Christian love and charity, ,vith meekness of wisdom, lowliness of mind, long suffering and forbearance, that we may all, henceforth, be united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may "'·ith one heart and one soul join together in promoting the honour and glory of Thy name,. the interest of religion, and the happiness and prosperity of Thy people; so that Thou, Vr~ho art the God of peace, may be our God, and d,vell among us; and that ,ve may be Thy people, zealously devoted to Thy service and obedi­ ence. To this end vouchsafe to grant us the help of Thy Holy Spirit, 0 God, for Jesus Christ sake. Amen. "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." 11 Samuel Chap. 23. "Behold, the Lord kno,veth all the ,vorks of men, their im­ aginations, their thoughts, and their hearts." 2nd Esdras Chap. 16 v. 54.

I feel that I have made a sinful omission in several of the following Morning Prayers, in having had no thought about my servants, so I have added, where I could, a short sentence of prayer in their behalf. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 127

For Sunday morning I ,vould say-"J\1anifest Thyself Gra­ ciously O God, for Christ's sake to our poor and needy servants. In the day of affliction may they fear not, believing that Thou art with them. May they not be dismayed believing that Thou art their God. Amen. On Friday morning-"Give to our servants, 0 Lord, for Christ's sake, an abundance of the grace of faith; and as gold is tried by the fire, may all of their trials be instrumental in the itnprovement of a true faith. Amen. For Monday evening-Fill the hearts of our servants, 0 God, for Christ's sake, by the influence of the Holy Ghost, with joy and faith that there is a Divine Providence, and that it is their privilege and duty to cast themselves and their burdens, and their cares on the Lord who careth for them. Amen.

On the morning of my leaving home, June 23, 1852. 0 my God, for Jesus Christ's sake, let our children be Thine, through the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost-Now I surrender them to Thee: Now, I hold them up, on the arms of my love, my prayers, my faith. By Thy Spirit, may our sons be as plants grown up in their youth, and may our daughters be as comer stones polished after the similitude of a palace-May Thy mercy never depart from them. Blessed Redeemer, captivate their hearts, and adorn them ,vith the graces of the Holy Spirit. Let the Spirit which rested on Thy servant David rest in our servants. Amen-Amen. "Then hear Thou in Heaven their prayers and their sup- plications, and maintain their cause." 1 Kings 8 :45. A Thanksgiving to God for Spiritual Blessings to my first born child on the occasion of his becoming a Communicant. June, 1852.

A mother's prayer for her children, April 1, 1853 . . . . . May my children make "A covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep His commandments, and His 128 THE MILES BRE\iVTON HOUSE testimonies, and His Statutes, with all their hearts and with all their souls." II Kings 23 :3.

Then hear Thou in heaven, Thy dwelling place, and when Thou hearest, forgive. I Kings VIII 30.

A prayer for one grateful for mercies and sensible of much unworthiness, January 1, 1856. (Runnymede) 0 Lord, the Father of Mercies and God of all comfort, I acknowledge and adore Thine eternal Power, Wisdom and Good­ ness. I lvould render Thee my most hearty thanks for all the mercies Thou hast freely bestowed on me and mine from our first coming into the world until this time. Many O Lord our God are Thy wonderful works which are to us,vard; they can­ not be reckoned up in order to Thee ; if we would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. But above all we ,vould bless Thee for that great love to mankind in the re­ demption of the ,vorld by our Lord Jesus Christ. 0 God bring us to a clear knowledge of Him, love and hope in Him, and an unfeigned affection to Thy Holy will declared to us in His Bless­ ed Gospel. Settle in us an unmovable faith in Thine Infinite

Mercies, a constant love and cheerful affection to our dutv,., and a readiness of heart to obey Thee and to submit to Thy wise ap- pointn1ents in every condition. Banish from us all causeless fears; deliver us from all unprofitable sadness and dejectiqn of spirits; keep us from rash and foolish judging of ourselves, and above all from doubting God. Bestow upon us contented spirits and humble faith in Thee our God. Endue us with such wisdom and uprightness, that we may neither neglect our duty nor doubt Thy gracious acceptance of us. Give us an earnest zeal to do our best, and humble trust that Thou requirest no more of us. Pity our great dullness and deadness of heart; strengthen our \veak and feeble endeavors; support our fainting, doubting spirits, and enable us by Thy l\1ighty help to conduct ourselves so evenly, so steadily, so peaceably, so cheerfully and so securely in the ways of Thy laws and commandments that ,ve may glorify Thee whilst vve live, and be accepted by Thee, when ,ve die through the merits of Jesus Christ and the influence of the Holy Ghost. Amen. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 129

"Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray; Is any merry? Let him sing psalms." St. James 5 :13. "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you." St. James 4 :8.

A prayer for my husband, my children, my servants and myself. September 2, 1856. 0 God, for Jesus Christ's sake, impress upon our minds the great end of the sufferings of Christ to punish transgressions and make an end of sin. With our thoughts upon a suffering Saviour, and relying upon the sanctifying Influence of the Holy Ghost, may ,ve no longer live in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the Will of God. Solemnize our minds with the prospect of the day when we shall stand at the judgment seat of Christ, and enable us to be prepared to make account to Him who shall judge the quick and the dead. In the prospect of that day, may we be sober and watch unto prayer, and above all things have fer­ vent love among ourselves. Whatever grace or gift we may have received from Thy Hand, may we minister the same one to an­ other as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Often enable us to look within and see whether Jesus Christ reigns upon the throne of our hearts. Amen. "And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou and thy son and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid~ servant." -Deuteronomy 16 :11.

A mother's prayer for a son returning to studies at college, March 11, 1856. 0 God, \Vho hast ordained that ,vhatever is to be desired should be sought by labor and earnest effort, and Who alone, by Thy blessing bringest labor and care to good effect, look with mercy and favor upon the studies and endeavors of my son­ Assist him, 0 Lord, by Thy Holy Spirit in all his studies and endeavors-enable him to shun sloth and negligence, so that every day by Thy help he may discharge part of the task which is allotted him; and so further, with Thy assistance, his studies, which without Thy assistance, must be ineffectual; Grant that 130 THE 1fILES BRE\!VTON HOUSE he may obtain in his studies such success as ,vill promote God's glory and the salvation of his o,vn soul, for Jesus Christ sake. Amen. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3 :5. A prayer to be used before reading or hearing the \Vord of God. Sept. 2, 1856. 0 God, for Jesus Christ's sake, let Thy Holy Spirit be present with us, and rest upon us in the reading and hearing Thy Sacred Word; that we may act hun1bly, reverently, without prejudice, with minds ready and desirous to learn and to obey; that ,ve may be readily furnished and instructed to every good ,vork, and may practice Thy Holy Laws and Commandments, to the Glory of Thy Holy name, 0 God, our Saviour and our Sanctifier. Amen. · For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of "'·horn the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant us according to the riches of His glory to be strengthened with might by I-Iis Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all saints, ,vhat is th~ breadth and length and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ ,vhich passeth knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians, Chap. 3 :14.

.,.A,. wife's prayer, for her husband-Richfield, Nov. 16, 1856. Oh God our strength and the rock of our salvation, help me by the infi?ence of Thy Holy Spirit, to pray as I should for my husband. 11ake him, 0 Lord, to remember that he is ahvays in Thy sight; that Thou dost ponder all his paths; that he may be fully convinced, that both his spiritual and temporal concerns de­ pend upon the faithful and conscientious performance of his duty; that so he may not be seduced or discouraged by any temptation whatsoever, but always looking up to God, and having regard to the recompense of reward, he may run with faith and patience the race that is set before him, trusting in the merits of Jesus Christ, his Saviour, and the influence of the Holy Ghost. CHRONICLES AND RE11INISCENCES 131

A prayer for myself-Richfield, Nov. 16, 1856. Oh God, the \Vitness of all my actions, the Judge of all my thoughts and feelings, help me, by the Influence of the Holy Ghost, for Jesus Christ's sake, so to ,~.,.alk before Thee, that my life be full of comfort and my death of peace. I am conscious of my own ,veakness, frailty and sin-create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me ... inflame my heart with a holy love that I may delight in Thy Commandments; that I may walk before Thee in uprightness and fear; in humble confidence and holy hope-constantly and cheerfully depending upon Thee and doing my duty in the station of Ii f e in which Thou, in Thy great ,visdom hast placed me. Let me at all times remember my own weakness, but trust with true faith, in God's Mighty help, through the merits and intercessions of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. "Oh! let me have understanding in the ,vay of Godliness." Psalms 101-2.

A prayer for sons engaged in mercantile business and in trade-January 6, 1859. "The righteous also shall hold on His way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." Job. 17 :9.

A prayer that the benefits of Christ's suffering and death may save and sanctify the souls of my children. January 1, 1860. 0 Christ, great Saviour of souls, by the merits of Thy most bitter sufferings, by all the love Thou hast shown to the children of men, I humbly beseech Thee to look graciously upon my child­ ren and to intercede for them ·with the Father, that, for Thy sake, Oh blessed Jesus, God may be gracious to my children, and forgive them all their sins, pity all their ignorance and frailties, and lift up the Light of His countenance upon them, giving them peace and faith through the influence of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

A mother's prayer for young sons in a foreign country­ January 14, 1_861. 132 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE

Almighty God, the strength of all wh9 put their trust in Thee, mercifully sanctify the hearts of my young sons, and be­ ca use of their mortal nature they can do no good things without Thy help, cleanse the thoughts of their heari:s by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit; graft in their hearts the love of Thy Name; grant them the help of Thy Grace, that in keeping Thy Command­ ments they may please Thee both in will and deed, through the merits and intercessions of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

A prayer in time of danger and anxiety-Feb. 22, 1861.

A mother's prayer for sons engaged in military duties. Jan­ uary 1, 1862.

A prayer for those who have gone forth in the defense of their state and country-Bishop Atkinson, 1862.

A mother's thanksgiving for the preservation of her Son under a painful wound, received in battle. Oct. 22, 1862.

Almighty God, and Merciful Father, to \Vhom alone belong the issues of life and death, assist rrle by the influence of Thy Holy Spirit, to thank Thee, humbly and earnestly, for the mercy Thou didst extend to my child in the midst of great peril. I thank Thee 0 most merciful God, for Thy protecting care, which as a mighty shield, saved his life ,vhen frightful missiles of death flew swiftly and thickly around him. All glory be to Thy Power that pre­ served his Ii f e .... Continue Thy Great Goodness to him, by sup­ porting him under the influence of Thy Holy Spirit, through the hours of suffering ..... In Thy own good time restore him to health and strengthen him to pass the rest of his life in Thy ser­ vice and to Thy glory. Amen. After the battle of Pocotaligo. CHRONICLES AND RE11INISCENCES 133

A prayer for my sons and grandsons .when about entering upon new and arduous military duties. February 28, 1865, Duke­ ville.

To Thee, 0 God of all mercies and power, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I now consign our children; most humbly and earnestly beseeching Thee to protect them by Thy ·· Providence, and guide and protect them by Thy Grace . . . visit not my sins upon them but give them grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil ; and make them watchful over their own hearts, circumspect in all their conduct, and careful to avoid the seductions of bad examples. Impress their souls with the constant sense of their dependence upon Thee, for all the good they have .... Give them grace to read Thy Holy Word .... Pour out Thy Holy Spirit upon them and whatsoever the things of this world they may want, let them not be destitute'tof the one thing needful, but may they have Thy Grace and the portion of Thy children. Be Thou a gracious Father to them, instructing, admonishing and reproving them in mercy, a merciful Provider for them, in all estates, all affairs, all employments and duties. But especially, 0 God, I beseech Thee, in the Name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Blessed Redeemer, to take care of their souls, that when they are deprived of all here, they may, through Thy mercies in Christ Jesus, be taken into the glorious kingdom above, there to serve, praise and adore Thee, with the Saints made perfect and the Heavenly Host to all eternity. Hear me, 0 Merciful Father, for the sake of Him who died for our sins and rose again for our justification and ever liveth to make intercession for us! Glory and Honor and Praise be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost! now and ever, world without end. Amen.

We can only rely upon God with any confidence to trust. that we shall not perish, n~ither shall any pluck us out of His Hand. This is all to keep our hearts and minds from the fears which surround us now-and let the Lord Jehovah be our strength and salvation. God be merciful unto us and bless us and show us the light of His countenance and be merciful unto us. 134 THE MILES BREvVTON HOUSE

A prayer for the first day of the year-January 1, 1866. \Ve thank Thee, gracious God, for all the mercies of the past year. We pray Thee to sanctify the trials and sorrows of it and grant that all things may ,vork together for all good through Thy mercies and intercessions for us. Amen~

LETTERS

Letters v,ritten by Rebecca Frost to her sister Susan, who is visiting her sister, Mrs. Mitchell, in Ne,v Haven. Dr. Frost is planting rice on the estates of his mother, and of his father-in-law, near Georgetown, S. C. Charleston, Sept. 14, 1867. Dearest Susan: I have gotten through my ,vork for the coming baby, so I can amuse myself as I please now and a letter to you is an evidence that I am to be idle ... The sun rose bright this morning for the first time in many days. Frank is hard at work over the harvest. The rains are most disasterous to the rice. The whole community is waiting for the crops. Your friend the little Jewish woman rip King Street said to me, "Oh the crops, the crops, what ,vill become of us when the crops are being drown­ ed."

South Island, 14th June, 1868 Dear Susan: .... The little duties and occupations of my life make even these long summer days seem short. \Ve are unable to pro­ cure any nurse for Pringle but a little girl ·who requires as much ·,vatching as he does. Your godson• is the sweetest little fell ow possible. You would for give his being a boy if you could see his hundred little winning, graceful ways. Notwithstanding his grandmother's fears, his eyes are beautiful, and are universally remarked for their CHRONICLES AND RE1\1INISCENCES 135

brightness and fullness. I~e takes his seat at table no,v, as natur­ ally as if he \\·ere 6 years old instead of 5 months. My visit to mother ,vas perfectly delightful. I found mother the same marvel of energy and interest as ever and left her feeling greatly com­ forted in the conviction that her elasticity of temper, renders her more independent than most people of her age. They both get on very ,vell ,vithout their daughters. Mother keeps everything full of no\vers. In spite of her having only Papa to keep house for, she is just as busy as ever she has been. Frank leaves me at seven every morning and does not return til eight. Baby sends

.,vou one of his most beautiful smiles .

North Santee, Feb. 19, 1869 . . For a whole month I had no nurse-Then for a month I had a delightful one in the point of capacity-when one morning as I put my head out of the ,vindow to call her, Alec with a shout of laughter, answered, "Ma'am, Mary is gone and told me to tell you she ought to have gone long ago." I could not help laughing myself, and had to be very brisk to supply her place. Papa was with us and Frank was quite sick with chills and fever. N o,v I have Will's sister Sarah. Papa persuaded her to leave the rice fields to come to me. Her tidiness and civility are her chief points. Frank's health broke down completely. I was quite miserable about him, but I am grateful to the gracious God for his restoration-but the attack of malaria together with the un­ satisfactory results of his labors have determined him it is time to look beyond these boggy rice fields. I know he has worked enough on them to make more than he has done were the lands capable of improvement ,commensurate to what has been done on them-but the condition of the surrounding country causes labor to be almost ,vasted, as the waters rush in and ,vash a ,vay all the work on the banks. The tides s,veep in and out at their pleasure and the labor has become more and more scarce. No one but a person in daily contact ,vith the details of rice planting can imagine ,vhat a harassing. unsatisfactory struggle it is. I think you ,vill be pleased ,vith Pringle. He is very bright and full of mischief but begins to stamp his foot and sho,v all the seeds of old Adam. I hope I ,von't spoil him, for I have a horror of doing so. It distresses me to think of all the trouble I will give 136 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE mother but I could not be away from her. Her tender care has made me so strong and well.

South Island, Tuesday Night, June, 1869 Dearest Susan: Your pleasant letter was most acceptable. I al­ ways teach Pringle to ½iss his grandmother's letters and yes­ terday as I took yours and mother's letters out of the envelope he took them out of my hand, and with the most cunning look, pressed them to his lips. He is very engaging now-more so than he has ever been and as I watch him I often think I can hear that bright laugh of grandma's that used to make my heart beat with such love to her ,vhen I ,vas at home. As soon as Pringle is old enough you must take him that he may grow up with a memory of his grandmother and grandfather. Remember I bespeak his place now and you must not let one of the others interfere with him-he has so many pretty ,vays that grandma would love him more than ever. He is so intelligent and under­ stands everything so ,vell. It is charming to see ho,v tender he is to the baby and how intelligently he plays with him, and the baby knows him so well. I think you ,vould love the baby very much now. He is so bright and good, and not being old enough to be willful, makes him very attractive. Sometimes Pringle is most amusingly malicious to the baby but ,vhen nothing disturbs his temper he exhibits a beautiful degree of tenderness. Last Saturday Frank did not get home until half-past eleven and we dined at about twelve-midnight. Pringle and I dine at about three and then I dine again with Frank. He has a very trouble­ some patient in our neighborhood who has erysipelas in the leg, and he sends for Frank no matter how late he comes at night. Frank's not charging for medical services makes him very unreasonable. Tell mother the :flannel is beautiful. The hoop, ho,vever, I will have to send back and get you to change it for a larger one. This one can scarcely get over my hips. You know I am not as slender as you are. Tell mother to send me mv., share of tablecloths else she will surelv- send them all off to Mary in a moment of generosity. I rather have the keeping of my share. Frank says to make sacques out of cheap

*Waists worn by the country people. CHRONICLES AND RE11INISCENCES 137 cotton and worsted stuff and trim with common ,vorsted braids of bright colors, and these and the aprons will sell like hot cakes. Yours ever, Rebecca.

New York, 10 o'clock Sunday night, August 6, 1871. Dearest Sister : I hope all are well. I long for my boys-Mo­ ther' s letter about them was very s,veet-but I am distressed to know that they do miss me. I hoped that they would not. I trust that they have outgro,vn all thought of me. I hope that they do not give you and mother too much trouble-though I know all their demands upon your time and attention would not weary you. You do, and can do, so much for me that you ought to feel how essential you are to us, dearest sister. I look to you for help and counsel for our children all their lives, and remem­ ber I always ,vill look for your assistance, and ,vill expect you always to turn to us for anything you may need-our children being younger than the rest ,vill want your sympathy and care more than the others in the family. I get very homesick at times -yet I am enjoying the holiday exceedingly. Frank has me on the go the ,vhole time and if I make the least objection to any of his plans, he jeers at me and says I might as well be sitting on South Island. Yesterday \\,.e went down to Fulton Ferry­ took the steamer-went up the river to Harlem and to High Bridge, then came back to Harlem to the cars and came home that ,vay. It was a delightful excursion and gave me a ,vonderful vie,v of this wonderful world. I nearly died of fright many times and felt ho,v disgustingly slow-motioned I am. These people are wonderful. There is no doubt of it. \Ve are a slo,v­ moving, sleepy race and creep along in our ,vay. We took the Baby ,vith us yesterday but I will never do so again for I ex­ pected to see her killed ·many times. As to shopping-there is no use talking about it. \Ve cannot shop here because every­ thing is beyond our means. Things that I said I would get here I cannot for everything costs so much more than in Charleston. I find the little boys dressing exactly as I left Pringle. I have not seen a kilt . . . A new acquaintance I have met here recom­ mended me to Wilson and Greigg opposite Ste,varts where I had to buy something and the cheapest thing in that shop was the little suit I bought for Pringle for $2 and which I mean to 138 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE send him by mail. This style of pants is altogther ,vom. I see nothing else and all the boys of Pringle~s size are in such suits. The pants are to come just belo\v the knee ... We leave for N e\v I-Ia ven tomorro,v ( D. V.) \Ve ,vill spend a week there and then go on a grand excursion ,vhich will take us a fortnight, and re­ turn here and spend a ~week and then start for home. \Ve \vent to St. Alban's this morning and to Trinity Church this after­ noon. Tell Mama Frank says if she needs biscuits and port wine or anything for the children to get them from Klinck and charge for them in his name. vV e will get your scutum on our return. In all love, I am your devoted Rebecca. Tell the boys Mother loves them and will soon come back to them.

(This letter was ,vritten just after the death of Edward, the second child. He died in the home of his grandparents.) South Island, Thursday night, October, 1871 My beloved Mother, vVe reached here this morning after a voyage of entire com­ fort. Pringle slept quietly. Baby slept ,vell and Frank got some rest. I kept a weary watch-thought and thought of my angel child till my heart w~s sore with aching-for a few moments ,vould come thoughts of his bliss, and then those harrowing thoughts which will come to torture me. If only I could bear God's chastening rod ,vithout thinking my poor human efforts might have averted it. I cannot but mourn our bright little one­ Oh, the shado,v lies every,vhere. I had hoped that here I might have less sense of the loss, but no-the silence meets me at every turn. We arrived so early that only the negroes were on the beach, and I Vlas glad no one was there to see us coming back so sadly-the silent greeting of the negroes was very touching Pringle has been poring over Aunt Sue's "old, old story" ,vith the greatest delight, and the most understanding interest­ seeing a picture of Christ blessing the little children, he said : "Oh, there's Ed,vard in the dear Saviour's arms." I fear he will never play again. Aug-usta says, "I never could have expected to raise a child like Edward", and now I lvonder ho,v I ever thought such a bright little spirit was meant to linger here too long. Dearest mother, I am thinking so much of you-Oh, ho,v CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 139 loving you ,vere to our children and ho,v never-tiring \\-·as Susan's devotion-I sometimes try and cheat myself by fancying I have left my little Edward with you. Devotedly yours, Rebecca. Postscript by Francis L. Frost Friday, 6 .A.. M. The cooked game must be eaten for dinner today. Do send the American Agricultrist and the Farmer and Gardener to Richard when you have read them. Three fresh duck, six cooked duck. South Island, October 26, 1871. My Dear Susan: Rebecca will tell you of our arrival. We have been inexpressibly sad grieving for our little one and because of our selfish and sinful nature we can find no comfort. The over­ powering sense of his loss to us fills our hearts almost to the exclusion of our contemplation of God's infinite mercy and wis­ dom in His dealings ,vith us. Our precious little Edward was such an intelligent, endearing, Heavenly child. Closely as~ociat­ ed ,vith this precious, sacred memory are your dear self and very dear old parents. 11y heart ,vill ever swell with gratitude and af­ fection to,vards you all in your unbounding affection and de­ votion to our little children. You ,vere alv~·ays dear to me but doubly so no,v that God has visited us with this common bereave­ ment. Love to your Mother and Father- \rery affectionately yours, Francis L. Frost.

South Island, l\1onday night, Oct., 1871 Dearest Sister : l\1other' s s,veet letter and the others ,vere such a solace to me and I have been reading them over all day, or rather ·whenever I could find a spare moment, for Pringle oc­ cupies all of my time and Alex, being sick, I have to take baby ,vhile Augusta cooks. I am glad I have so much ,vhich I must attend to else I ,vould indulge in too much selfish grief. My heart is so heavy at times I feel my dear little Pringle sees through my attempts of playfulness. Bab? surely has a sad look in her s,veet eyes and I reproach myself for clouding- her heart ,vithout being a,vare of it. Pringle is improving I think-his brightness makes me as sad as his sadness-he ,vas on the piazza this after- 140 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE noon more in his old way, but he dreads going to his lonely little bed, and oh hovv sad to see him all alone in his little crib. We were so proud of the 2 boys together in that crib. I feel now that I ,vas too proud of the blessing and too unmindful of the fact that I owed my sweet children to God's goodness alone. I so seldom remembered that they were only lent to me-I never thought that one might be taken. Now I feel that none may be left-Pringle looks as if he belongs to another world. His thoughts have been so elevated by his sorrow. I am beginning to realize that the sweet child has gone to brighter life .. Those earthly thoughts hid all whispers of a spiritual life at first and I only thought of my blighted hopes and saddened paths. I had a startling proof of God's overruling power yesterday. I was watching baby on the porch in her little buggy and came to the parlor door to speak to Frank, and as I turned my back the bug­ gy rolled down the steps with baby in it. I scarcely dared take her up. She was alarmed but only scratched on the cheek. I am, yours ever, Rebecca.

South Island, 1871. Dear Susan : I send you "Gathered Waifs" and some "Hearts and Homes". They _go through so many hands that they are much abused. Pringle is devoted to them and the blind mice and Shockey afford him unceasing delight. It is sweet to see how he identifies himself with you all. He said this morning, "Mother, Toney is mending the well, not my Toney-not Dama's Toney, but your Toney''-He is gradually throwing off the terrible poison of that fever-I see the gradual improvement every morn­ ing but O dear, how sad my heart is. The loss of our bright little one is an ever freshening sorrow-so sad that while nearly all others have escaped, our brave little one is gone. The child was so full of promise. I cannot help deploring him-he never gave me trouble-only joy and filled me with pride. Had there been any association of suffering with him-He ,vas so brave -A sunbeam that ,vas ever gladdening my heart. Ho,v can I help regretting the absence of what ,vas so beautiful and brave­ Pringle says "lVIother, God took Edward to Heaven because he ,vas such a good boy". I feel the chastening is meant for me so ,vorldly and presumptuous as I am. I think all will have to be CHRONICLES AND RE1'IINISCENCES 141 taken before I can have more faith. It is well God's compassion failleth not. His mercies must be new every morning else we ,vould be destroyed again and again. I send you Mrs. Young's quotation-I cannot help keeping a calendar of those last sad days. I wish I could fully realize the eternal happiness he has gained. My letter is so badly ,vritten I fear you will not be able to make it out;: but I write while minding baby. She keeps me busy watching her. Mother's potato bread was a pleasant sur­ prise. Many thanks for it. Frank unites with me in love. Ever your devoted, Rebecca.

South Island, Thursday Night-1871 We have had such a beautiful October. vVe have had the best beef I have ever eaten, and an abundance of game. We send three pairs of ducks, potatoes and peas in one bag. The potatoes were dug this afternoon only. I tried to keep a delicious ·wild turkey to send you, but could not venture, and most reluctantly ate him. I wish you could see the baby as she is now-so full of play and tricks, but she is very shy and you'll be disgusted with her at first. Do buy for little Mary a hat frame and cover it with velveteen, such as the- one you made for Pringle, you remember, and Julie ... I don't think the velveteen will cost much-do have it ready for her. Tell Papa Jim vVilson left two jugs of honey with Amey ,vhich he begs Papa to lock up in his store room till he goes do,vn. \Vith love to all, Devotedly yours, Rebecca. Pringle will sleep in that new crib and I want so much to put it aside for at night that empty side is too much of an agony to me, the silence that seems to come from it completely unnerves me-ho,v often I used to stop and kiss that little head that was ahvavs on the outside and ahvavs said, "God bless vou"-no mat- ~ ~ J ter how, but "God bless you". And no,v I think ho,v God has blessed him and yet how the blessing brought agony to my heart.

South Island, Nov. 16, 1871 Dearest Susan : We feel as if we were on a deserted island tonight for every- 142 THE MILES BRE\\tTON HOUSE one has moved up the River but the J. vV e ¼·ill go up early next week, D.V. The life down here is pleasant from the constant visiting of friends, but son1etimes I am interrupted from morning to night and long to be able to attend more regularly to my duties. I ,vas in the midst of my letters ,vhen Mrs. F. appeared and of course could not go until I had given her lunch, early as it ,vas. I had just seated myself to read my blessed mother's sweet letters once more, ,vhen Mrs. J. came with her work bas­ ket. I knew what that meant, so· I had to get 1unch for her and little .,A... , and she sat till 4 o'clock. I had before her visit one from her baby, ,vhich meant I was to give the little thing a drink,. so I had just disposed of that duty ·when l\1rs. J. came. I did not ask her to dinner because Nancy had been ironing and my dinner was to be late. Frank has gone to bed ,vith a cold and I have invited Augusta to sit and sew with me while I write to you. Pringle has gone to bed so proud of his grandmother's let­ ter. He has shown it to everybody and puts it in his pock~t and t~tkes it out ,vith such an air. Baby is gro,ving very s,veet and Frank says just ,vhat I feel, that he is almost afraid to love her. Her little mouth and teeth are· so s,veet. I often tell her "Aunt Tou" will learn to love her also. Thank mother for the nice bread, n1any have enjoyed· it. I have put aside some splendid potatoes to send to Marv. ~

South Island, ..Tune 15, 1871 My Dear Mr. Pringle, My heart is so full, even to bitter tears of grief at James' death, and deepest sympathy and love for you and l\1rs. Pringle . . . Rebecca and I are truly truly stricken tonight . . . ,vith the first ne,vs of this impending affliction, this beautiful and touch­ ing expression of God's ever-,vise providence and n1ercy ,vas present ,vith me, to stay, and console and calm me "Be still and know: that I am God" . . . . Rebecca has suffered a great deal during the past "reek. The delay of ne,vs and the suspense has added to her distress ... She works very hard and takes but little rest for herself. Last night she got very little sleep, but is in CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 143 her usual state of activity and health this morning. She is an infinite blessing and treasure to me and our dear little ones. She is a woman of very rare excellence of character and with age develops in all Christian and ,von1anly virtues and goodnesses, and day by day commands more and more my highest respect and esteem, and my purest and most elevated affections. I prize her infinitely as my ,vife, but above this even, do I prize her in the most sacred character on earth of mother of n1y children. She is so full of good sense and of sound judgment and of holy af­ fections, that I feel that her character is the sure guarantee that her children, through her example and training, will possess the same high qualities and traits. And now I wish to beg what may seem selfish, and may be to you impracticable, that you and Mrs. Pringle and Susan ,vill come and spend the summer with us . . . We have ample room and appliances for you. I feel quite sure that you will enjoy the change of scene and climate ... At any rate, do try it and give us this gratification of having you all under our roof ... Love from us and our bright, happy little children, Afftly, F. L. Frost.

San Francisco, August 18, 1856 To Mrs. Wm. B. Pringle, Charleston, S. C. l\1y Dear Mother: Your picture is very good, at least very good to me. Not as pretty as you are of course but good enough to recall you to me exactly as you are. I have been hanging over it a good deal during the short time I have had it. It looks like a fresh sight of you-almost like a visit to you. I have had more thoughts of home and feel n1ore of homesickness on its ac­ count than I have had for many months. I have enjoyed the study of it you don't know how much! I see that shade of sad­ ness that your face never gets rid of and I am glad they did not make you ]aug-h it off. The effect ,vould have been ,vorse than the sadness that has become a part of you now, and I have grown to love it as a part of you. only be careful not to let it grow deeper. I should not recognize it then. I see the shape of the 144 THE 11ILES BREWTON HOUSE

head and neck and I seem to recognize every hair. How hand­ somely your hair still acquits itself! I see its thinness in ·some places but I remember that, and I think that on the whole it has done wonderfully ,vell considering the merciless covering of cap you have had on it so long. I imagine Sue and Beck as they got you up for the occasion and made the most of your hair­ I do not see that there is any other need of their services: They probably made a great fuss over you and pretended that they were of great service, but except for the puffing of the hair and the artistic arrangement of that, there ,vas no need of them. I wish they had been taken themselves, especially Beck. · Beck I suppose expects to overwhelm me by the reality. I hear that she has improved so much that I shall be prepared for all due admira­ tion-and old Mac! How magnificent he is! I have laughed over him a dozen times. I keep him in the office. How naturally the old fellow looks. Tell him I am delighted to see him look­ ing so young and well. He does not look a day older than when I left him. Tell him his white cravat is a miracle. Tell him there is nobody so well dressed in California. I wish you had sent me more of the servants ; Mauma, and Cretia and Ishmael. I am very glad that Papa has determined something for Bill be­ cause although I advised his coming out here, I should think the mill at Santee might do quite well. Will it be occupation enough for him ? · Is Santee a good situation ? I am very glad he is going to ,vork at it. Bob too is very well fixed. He will have good training in Coffin and Pringle. That will be much better for him than coming out to San Francisco on uncertainty. If he takes care of his business and makes himself useful he is sure of success ,vith Coffin and Pringle. I am delighted to tell you that the Vigilance Committee have released Judge Terry and they seem to be at the point of disbanding. The towns seems to be recovering from the incubus of an armed mob that has been so long upon them and something like confidence is coming back. Your affectionate son, Ed\vard J. Pringle.

Robert is said not only to have fought his gun well but rendered valuable and efficient service as chief of artillery .... They both have had a hard time .... We are in a bad way. Sumter is nearly a mass of ruins. Its days are numbered. At any moment it 11.-\RY 110TTE .-\LSTOX PRINGLE

CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 145 may fall, or rather be evacuated. Morris Island will then not last long .... The iron clads may now come in at almost any moment. Your affectionate son, J. Motte Pringle, Aug. 20, 1863. To his Parents.

Our grandparents must have returned to Charleston about 1865. Our grandmother called the servants who remained in the yard to her. She told them that she could no longer retain them. She said: "Cretia, will you stay with me?" Cretia burst into tears and said: "My mistress, how could I leave you?" Cre­ tia, called U tie, had been our mother's maid, they had an affection for each other. Her descendants are still in the yard. Vv e still work together. Our grandparents rented most of the two lower floors liv­ ing upon the drawing-room floor with our Aunt Susan and our parents. They gathered their children and grandchildren and friends into the drawing-room on Sunday evenings. Coffee and small cakes were served. Cretia baked the cakes on Saturday in the Dutch oven. The grandchildren were not supposed to have coffee, only cake, but our grandmother surmised that they would like coffee, also, and so they were served.

The remainder of this chapter may be found in the letters and prayers included in this book. Bible: "Died on Tuesday morning, December the 13th, 1881, William Bull Pringle, in the 82nd year of his age. On the leaf of the 'Day Unto Day' calendar that hung near his bedside, were the following ,vords: 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors, and their \vorks do follow them. Amen and Amen". Inscribed by Mary M. Pringle.

Bible: "Died on Saturday morning-, October 4th, 1884, Mary lvlotte Pringle. in the 82nd year of her age. Beloved and Re­ vered Mother." Inscribed by her daughter, Susan Pringle. 146 THE MILES BRE\VTON I-IOUSE

Mrs. William B. Pringle to her son, James R. Pringle in Calif omia.

King Street, Nov. 23, 1868.

My beloved Son : If all men had "put their shoulder to the wheel" at the re­ cent election, God would have helped us too, but Satan has closed the hearts of our people so that in this ward alone seventy-one gentlemen did not vote-in that delusive of all principles-"there was no use in it"-they are now heartily ashamed of it. Ah, do tell Edward that the Washington Light Infantry still sustain their noble patriotism, one instance of which is that when the Confederate Widows Home ,vas organized, they asked permission to supply it with a reguJar physician. They gave the ,appointment to Dr. F. L. Parker and supply gratuitously all of the medicine. Rebecca calls me for a morning walk, so I must leave an unfilled page-I can't bear to do it-I always have so much to say to you.

Diary" of Washington ( 1789-'91)

"vVe left Dr. Flagg' s about 6 o'clock and arrived at Captain William Alston's for breakfast. Captain Alston is a gentleman of large fortune and esteemed one of the neatest rice planters in the State of South Carolina, and a proprietor of the most val­ uable ground for the culture of this article. His home, which is large, new and elegantly furnished, stands on a sand hill, high for the country, with his rice fields below, the contrast of which with the land back of it and the sand and piney barrens through ,vhich ,ve had passed is scarcely to be conceived. At Captain Al­ ston's we ,vere met by Gen. Moultrie, Colonel Washington and Mr. Rutledge ( son of the present Chief Justice of South Caro­ lina) who had come out that far to escort me to to\\rn. \Ve dined and lodged at this gentleman's, and boats being provided, we, the following morning, crossed the \Vaccamaw to Georgeto,vn by descending the river three miles." CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 147

Mary M. Pringle to her son Edward, in San Francisco. King Street, July 31, 1868 My beloved son:- This is the birthday of our dead Robert­ "Blessed Holy Dead"-I still keep the day as one of sacred mem­ ories-of deep abiding gratitude for the precious gift, that the good God lent me for 26 years-I consider them with pride­ joy and gratitude, I remember that my son's "devotion to duty was enthusiasm", that he was the "type of Christian soldier"-I dare not indulge in a repining thought at his having been called away before the dark troubles that have overshadowed us, made his life a sorrow and a humiliation-he was "taken from the ev1·1 to come " - . . . . Rebecca and Baby Frost are with me .... And now I have to express our gratitude for San Francisco letters-received as our family party were assembled on Sunday evening in the old drawing room. How gaily the group gathered around the lamp to hear what Aunt Sue* said and Uncle James and Willie-all good news-Sue in the sweet enjoyment of your love! James happy-Willie at work-he likes that-and above all the blessed intelligence that you, my son Edward, paid full obedience to the Divine Command, "Do this in remembrance of Me"-thank God. "May God work in you v,hatsoever is wanting to fit you for the Divine acceptance and a worthy receiving of the Holy Mys­ teries-" Your young wife was at your side-how I love her­ My son James there too, my daughter Sue-Oh ! the glorious goodness of God-May His Holy Spirit render me worthy of such rich blessings. I feel that I have no sorrow-only loving kindness to remember-James tells me that he may not be married until November-I am sorry for it-Yet we must yield to the convenience and pleasure of those as nearly interested as we are. I wish Cora would ,vrite to me-I am afraid you and James have a hard truth to teach these young ,vomen to love and trust your strange old mother and father-and yet it has been so easy for us to take them into our hearts. I bless God daily for the sacred happiness Cornelia has thrown over your home life-I yearn to have· James so blessed by Cora. I hope Sue ,vill stay for the

*Our Aunt Susan Pringle who died in Sept., 1917. 148 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE wedding ... Rebecca is to leave us tomorrow-she goes to her duty so I do not repine- y our devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle.

Robert Pringle, my mother's brother, was killed at Battery Wagner, near Charleston, in 1863. There ,vere 9 brothers. Dear Robert; \Ve have had an anxious time of it. Brewton was thought­ ful enough to send Papa a telegram which reached him just in time to be sent to us, with the first news of the fight. His wound is a slow one and the bullet has been extracted. We expect­ ed him last night. God has been very merciful to us. We can sel­ dom use our horse as papa goes almost every day to the plan­ tation where he has a great deal of money. Just as he anticipated, the Negroes are getting sick, and poor papa is in great distress about them. I am afraid it is too much for him, those long drives in this weather, and all this ,veight of anxiety and dis­ tress, and our poor Negroes are so uncomfortable, and our poor soldiers. It is all so dreadful. I hope the boys are better. Mama and Rebecca desire their love, with mine. Yours affectionately, Susan Pringle. To Susan Pringle: Ft. Pemberton, James Island, Nov. 30, 1862. My dear sister : I have received all of the socks and feel very much indebted to both Beck and yourself. They are exceedingly comfortable and nice, and the trouble they must give you to make is the only reason ,vhv., I should not ask for a half dozen 111ore. There is only one objection to them, and that is that tny foot feels queer at having anything so respectable on it. If you ,vere to see the ludicrous appe?,rance of some of my old ones, ,vith toes ,vhere heels ought to be, you ,vould laugh. But these times teach us economy now ... Send me any of l\1ary's letters when you finish with them as to see even a short letter from her will make me CHRONICLES AND REI\1INISCENCES 149 feel as if there must be some end to this horrid war. I am sure that it must have borne harder even upon her than upon us. But good-bye, it is getting late, ,vith love to all, I am your devoted brother, Robert Pringle. P. S. Do tell Papa that carpenter Scipio came to me yesterday for some clothes. He looked ·pretty ragged. I told him that I would write up about it. San Francisco, April 1. My dear Susan: I send you some faint shadows of our Spring flowers. I wish you could see them in the freshness of their glowing colors. These are not the great forest belles; they are more every day beauties scattered broadcast over the country. The choice ones seek richer spots and are harder to find. No. 4 is the Flor d'Oro; it is the greater ornament of the hills, suggestive of the gold under the surface. No. 16 is very like our woodbine without the creeping propensity. No. 11, bright blue, goes well with the Flor d'Oro, and they join company very often. How much 22 is like our O"\\in Jessamine. I wish I could talk to you satis­ factorily about them but the truth is my habits of observation are not such as to touch on botany very speedily. All I can tell you is that they look very pretty in the woods . . . . But in sending you the flo,vers, I am reminded of that piece of R. W. Emerson ( called Sympathy, I think, or Each And All) where he speaks of the charm that is given to one by the other. The great beauty of these flowers is their profusion and brilliancy of color ... Try to resuscitate these dead-looking seeds, and call up the Spirit of Flowers to take a ne,v shape at King Street or Runnymede. Send some to Mary for me. If you and she can make them grow, they will help you to think of me, and to imagine my surroundings. I like them and take great pleasure in seeing them here because I know you would like them so much; and if you can make them grow at home, they ,vill serve to bring us nearer together . . . . They carry my latest breath. Your affect. Brother, Edward J. Pringle. 150 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

Excerpts from letters written to Susan Pringle at the death of her mother-Mary M. Pringle. I have never met any woman combining so much-any who are able to bury themselves so completely and be comforter to others outside even the circle of family ties. As she gave so was love returned with unstinted measures. What a crowd to meet her on the other shore. \tVhat a meeting ,vith her Savi our. Your loving Margueretta. Edgewood, Sunday night My darling sister: As I can do nothing but think of you and our angel mother I take my pen to cheat myself into the thought of talking to you. I am so grateful that so many of my children had the privilege of having seen their darling grandmother and the venerable old family mansion. \Ve love to talk of her gentleness, her kindness, her earnest faith and trust in God, her charity, her sound judgment and her loveliness in person as ,vell as character. A modest mother and a true friend that rich and poor honor and revered. God help us to do as she did and may her holy spirit and loving influence prove a bond of love and affection to the six that survive lier. Mary Pringle Mitchell. We thank Thee Gracious God for all the mercies of the past years. We pray Thee to sanctify the trials and sorrows of it and to grant that all things may work together for all good through Thy mercies and intercessions for us. Amen. A prayer for the first day of the year. January 1, 1866. My dear Aunt Sue: I do so wish now I had come to Charles­ ton last winter and had one last look at her. Grandma kept all the family together as a box keeps the spokes of a wheel. A great deal of love and sympathy for you from your affectionate nephe,v. Stephen Duncan Pringle.

11y dear Dr. Frost: Enclosing I send account of the bag of phos­ phate which more than· met my expectations. We had been pre­ pared for the sad communication which tells us that the dear CHRONICLES .A.ND REMINISCENCES 151 old lady is at rest. \Vhat a vvonderful woman she was, in grace, in dignity, in sagacity, and in kindness unbounded. \!Vith love to your ,vif e, I am, very truly yours, Donald G. Mitchell, Edgewood, October 11, 1884. Paris, October 17, '84. 11y dear sister: Your letter of the 5th gave me news of the death of our dear old mother and though it was not unexpected when the announcement did come my grief was none the less. You are the one who will feel her loss the most but it must be a satisfaction to you to remember how devotedly and tenderly you alleviated her suffering of her feeble old age. I pictured her to myself lying dead in her dear old drawing room. I am sorry I was not with you all to follow her to her grave as I did my dear old father. Your affectionate brother, J. J. Pringle. Dearest Susan ... Aunt Beckie thought her wonderfully well only a week or two before you were called upon to give her up. Ah!, Susan, to see the human soul take wing--can anything be more full of awe ... What a beautiful example your mother gave to all those privileged to see her of the power of true refinement and of Christian faith and submission. Who can ever forget her love; in every season of life triumphant over adversity with inexpressible sweetness. Your friend, Elise Rutledge. Thanks my dearest Rebecca for your s,veet note of Sunday that seemed to take us among you all in that sacred old drawing room. I read and re-read it. We are blessed in having such a sweet memory of our mother, her patience, her charity and her earnest truths n1ust have holy and loving influence upon all of us and hold us together even as separated as so many of us are. In lov­ ing devotion. M.P.M. Edgewood, October, 1884. Edgewood. Very many thanks dearest Sue for your touching letter giving me the particulars of the last earthly days of our angel mother. God bless you dearest and God be praised that strength was granted you to administer to her comforts to the end. Indeed 152 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE it has been a pleasure to think of you as an angel of love and tenderness about her pillow always and how she loved to tell of your love and patience. As unreal as her absence seen1s to you it is even harder for me to realize her absence and I myself think always ,vhat would dear mama say and think of this or that. All join in heartiest love to one and all with your devoted, M.P.M.

The record of Wm. Bull Pringle and his wife, Mary, made by their grand-daughter, Mary P. Frost. 27 ( 13) King St., Charleston, S. C. Jan., 1938.

"Copy of my brother Edward's letter on receipt of the picture taken of our dear mother at 80 years of age." Rebecca P. Frost.

San Francisco, March 9, 1884

My dear mother: When I saw your picture, my first impression was a shock at seeing how feeble you are; because it is so different from my memory of you. But, Cornelia, ,vhom I have not seen for some time, as she is with her father .... writes, "Your darling mother! How grand she looks in all her weak and failing health". And as I get over the look of weakness first made on me I see your old self with great pride and pleasure-I think it is a noble head and face and I value it very much. As I contrast it with the young face of Sully's picture, I admire and love most the old face and brow upon which sits enthroned the glory of a Ii f e, of more than eighty years of the noblest duties fulfilled. The fresh young face, pretty as it is, looks like a vacant page beside all that I read in the dear old countenance that is full of its life's ex­ pression. The Angel of the household! I thank you very much for sending me such a treasure. . . . Edward J. Pringle. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 153

ALSTON FAMILY GRAVEYARD, "THE O.A.KS", WACCAMAW NECK, ALL-SAINTS PARISH, S. C. As a lineal descendant of vVilliam Alston, of Clifton and Fairfield, you are invited to assist in the repair and restoration of the family graveyard at "The Oaks" plantation. The estate surrounding the plot is now in the possession of Archer M. Hun­ tington, Esq., of New York, who has expressed a personal de­ sire to assume responsibility for the restoration. It was felt, however, that this ,vas a delicate family matter and his suggestion was declined, although the motive was a praiseworthy one. But this declination makes it all the more advisable that the family execute at the earliest possible moment the task which a stranger has offered to perform. During the lifetime of Miss Anna L. Alston of "Rose Hill", the graveyard was kept cleared by her agents. Upon her death, and at her request, the responsibility for upkeep devolved upon her niece, Elizabeth Deas Alston. The latter kept the inclosure in order for many years, this being possible through her residence at "Fairfield", a few miles away. She has lately moved from the vicinity, and has delegated all responsibility for the upkeep to her nephe,v, Alston Deas ( the undersigned who is at present man­ aging Fairfield.) Mrs. F. \V. Ford, the representative of all the other descendants of William Alston in Georgetown, the nearest town, has also delegated such responsibility as she may have in the matter to the same agent. The latter, therefore, will take charge of the work, but is financially unable to assume the burden unassisted, although he will direct and oversee all work done. The graveyard contains numerous Alston graves, some of them of persons prominent in the history of our country. Among these are Joseph Allston and his wife, Charlotte Rothmahler, Col­ onel William Alston of Clifton, Governor Joseph Alston, Char­ lotte Alston \Vilson, wife of Governor J. Lyde Wilson, etc. It contains also the graves of Andrew Johnstone, and William John­ stone Lucas. It stands in a beautiful grove of live oaks, and is surrounded by a high brick wall ,vith handsome wrought iron gate. 1\tiost of the graves are of the "altar" type, large flat marble slabs resting on brick platforms. They are in a deplorable con­ dition, platforms tottering, several of the marbles broken or cracked, some of them fall en to the ground. 154 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE

To effect a complete restoration, and to provide for future contingencies, the small sum of $600.00 ,vill be necessary. Various members of the family are asked to contribute such amounts to­ ·ward this total as their several abilities or inclinations ,vill dic­ tate. Needless to say, the money collected will be spent as judiciously as possible, and for the purpose mentioned only. Checks should be made payable to "THE OAKS FUND, c/o ALSTON DE.A.S". \T ery respectfully, .i\lston Deas.· 1932, 50 King St., Charleston, .S. C.

Letters from grandmother, to Aunt Sue, in California; Uncle Edward Pringle; Aunt Cornelia Pringle; Uncle James; Aunt Cora ; Willie, Uncle Alston's son. May 23, '68. My beloved daughter: You kno,v that Rebecca is ,vith me, but great as the comfort i~, it does not prevent my missing you through all the hours. Young Frost is charming-always contented to be in my arms-always pleased to look in my face. Rebecca brings him in as soon as he wakes up in the morning and seats him in a high blue chair at my dressing table. Sometimes I toss him into his Grandpa's bed-but the grey beard chases smiles away until your old watch is held -before him and Grandpapa's chirps and encouraging words soothe him into a frolic. Rebecca really does believe him to be the most remarkable child ever born. She compares him to aU other children only to be the more satis­ fied of her theory. Strange to say, he is quite a Pringle which, I say encourages rne. as my Pringles have all improved from babyhood to manhood .... It puzzles me to kno,v if the child is really as pretty as I now think him, or if it is but my zeal for him that makes the charm. Frost came down for a few davs., . He left us yesterday, saying he would return for Rebecca and take her to South Island early in June. She enjoys her visit to to,,rn very much. CHRONICLES AND RE11INISCENCES 155

Our good old pastor never for gets you and Willie in his prayers on Sunday and Ascension Day-both morning and evening-none but an old faithful friend would be so mindful.

King Street, June 15, '68. I have just received a letter from Rebecca. She has been from me 48 hours and she says the baby has grown ,viser and prettier since I sa\v. him. She says he evidently misses me for he ,vould look all around as if in search of someone and then be quite sad. I took my last $2.50 and bought him a straw chair and a play table that pinned him in, and well it did. My straw chair stood in place of a nurse one whole day.

King Street, June, 1868 My beloved daughter: In a fe,v days D. V., I will hear from you all about the precious California ones. I am wild with im­ patience about it. My son Edward has sent me a letter that I fondle to my heart-0 how I have wept over it and returned thanks over it and glorified the loving kindness of God over it and shown it to this friend and that friend, in order that they may rejoice with me over so good, so loving a child. May God bless him a hundredfold for his faithful love to his unfaithful mo­ ther, and I must tell you we have all become enthusiastic over our daughter Cornelia. Yesterday morning as your Papa and I ,vere talking over her marriage, your Papa said : "I am entirely satisfied that she is a remarkably fine woman ! ! ! and I think my darling James' Cora is one too. Tell me of them both. Edward ,vrites charming accounts of Cora." Julius writes to say the dry season has quite destroyed tht: caterpillars and that his cotton ,vas gro,ving finely . . . . Your devoted mother, M. Pringle. P. S. I am ,vaiting somewhat impatiently for a reply from Cora to my maternal salutation. I hope James has not frightened her by his old mother's requiren1ents from the young women who are fortunate enough to secure the confidence, love and admiration of her peerless sons. I never mean to let them know that I consider them the most fortunate women in the world, yet I 156 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE do claim the privilege of thinking so, but if all be true that you say, dear Sue, of Cornelia and Cora, I must fain confess that my sons Edward and James have been most fortunate too. Your devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle.

To \i\Tilliam Bull Pringle, who is visiting his daughter, Mrs. Frost, at the Plantation: King Street, March 5, 1870 This is the day for writing to Rebecca, but the thoughts and feelings associated with it drew my whole heart to you­ the beloved husband of 48 years. The progress of these long years has been marked by exquisite happiness, much hope, proud successes-and ah! what bitter sorrow, grevious disappointments, crushing reverses and with so dark a future before us-that the bright spots of former days can hardly be kept in memory through the gloom of the present-"Man craves for happiness from what happens, but God promises peace, happen what may"-Let us strive for that peace and then we may hope. I fear you landed in unfavorable weather. I trembled as I thought of you getting down the side of the steamer into the little boat. I trust you found our dear ones .well. Motte has sent up the one/half ton of coal. I met Mrs. Hayne yesterday Vlho begged me to enter upon the terrapin investment, she will pay for one/half of the expense -for one/half profit-so please secure a monopoly of the crea­ tures-for we will make handsome profit. Tell Rebecca she may enter into the transaction if she will help me-and you too, old man, shall come in if you give me the chance of making a penny. Yours devotedly, Mary M. P.

King Street, October 16, '78 My beloved daughter: The having cob\vebs brushed away, walls ,viped over, floors scoured, carpets put down, have so shattered my nervous system and exhausted my strength-so perplexed my brain, so worn out my patience, that I have no power, no capacity -no time for any other occupation-then my heart is throbbing CHRONICLES AND RElvlINISCENCES 157 with a painful sympathy for my poor, foolish, helpless cousin M. T., who has picked up seven of her ten children and come here to pine and want amid friends and relatives too poor and miserable themselves to help her .... Rebecca went last evening to see her .. "Ah, Rebecca, I am afraid I have made a mistake in coming back to my once bright, happy, prosperous home, alas! alas! I did not know how changed it was". The baby boy, just eight months old is perfectly lovely, and as Rebecca stood look­ ing at him, he murmured "Papa" and turned his large soft eyes up toward heaven. They were all delighted to see Rebecca and called to her : "Do come again to see us-do come." I dreatn of them all night and am thinking of them all day-and have no power to help them.

King Street, May 7, 1869 . . . . . Tomorrow, D. V., you may be in New York, my beloved daughter ... I can wait if the good God will in his own infinite mercy guard you safely to the end of your long journey-and after,vards ever afterwards bless, protect and sanctify you-I would have you and our darling Mary enjoy a few days of hap­ piness together and then would have you come home, home again -to find all who1n you left there-still there. What an infinite mercy made the more impressive by your precious father's hav­ ing been rescued by God's power from the very brink of the grave. Ah what a blank in our lives his having been called away­ would have made to everyone of us, but to me-to you-to Al­ ston. The dear presence, the hourly counsel, the guiding in­ fluence would have been a thing missed through every hour. Not that the others ,vould have been less grieved than you and Al­ ston would have been, but your sole dependence is upon him, and Alston's many and sore troubles and difficulties, render him essential to you both, whilst I would have been a branch withered because the body of the tree would have been destroyed. God has spared us great sorrow-let us be grate£ ul. \1/hen your Papa considered himself passing away, his saddest thought ·was the pang his death would give you. He said it grieved him that the joy of your return hon1e should be saddened. He would live if it were but to welcome you back and to thank you for 158 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE having performed a mission for the whole family so successfully and so gracefully. He desired me to tell you this and to say that he so would have liked to tell you himself that he \\t·ould "'·illingly linger on the four weeks of your journey and then die at the end of it after having ,velcomed and thanked you. You must ahvays remember this, and that your old mother thought more of your sorro,v than of her own. Mary ,vill have told you that our generous son Julius left $i00 dollars with your Papa to pay for traveling expenses to Mary's to meet you and afterwards, returning home, to welcome a new member in the family, and to praise God's goodness for carrying our darling Rebecca safely through another great peril. But we have put the money out on interest and stand again pen­ niless. Last night we were delightfully surprised by receiving a draft from Edward for $200 in gold. It came most opportunely, just as your Papa was about borrowing $200 in greenbacks .... and this is the way our wretched lives pass from humiliating straights to providential mercies; let us profoundly acknowledge the mercies. See how the dear God brings good out of evil. Your devoted mother, Mary 11. Pringle. Ah, I see that the good ship Arizona is back in N. Y., so you are safe, my precious one-God be praised.

Mary M. Pringie to her daughter Susan in California. King Street, September 28, 1867 My beloved daughter, . . . Motte is gone up to the Elms again today to look at his cotton stalks. The ,vorms were so busy when he was last there that they have cleared the field now, I presume-On Judge Frost's place there ,vere sometimes from 25 to 30 ,vorms on one cotton leaf. After walking through his fields, he ·has to change every article of clothing, even his stockings. The worm is a small thin active black thing-curious to look at as they march from plant to plant, from leaf to leaf, from bole to bole-voraciously devour­ ing every green thing-well named the "Army \Vorm" . . .. We think of the future not to plan, but to feel-We can do nothing. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 159

Dr. Parker died at \Vhite' s Bridge where the summer so­ journers are carrying on a round of gaiety as if there were no sorrowing hearts in the ,vorld-Mrs. Julius has given an evening party and the people generally have given a fancy ball to which Helen Middleton went ,vith a sheaf of rice in her hair to repre­ sent Ruth. Your devoted mother, Mary J\1. Pringle.

King Street, June 25, 1868 My beloved daughter: Your letters are charming. My wildest imagination never equalled your description of Cornelia and Cora. Thank God that my sons have secured such treasures ... E. says she be­ gins to be jealous, to which I say-"Why my dear you cannot sing and you have grey eyes" . . . Forgetting in my ingratitud~ how this good daughter E. has soothed and comforted me through weary hours of deep and bitter sorrow until I was forced to feel as Naomi, "Thy daughter-in-law which loveth thee, which is better for thee than seven sons"-a maxim I could not under­ stand in my days of unclouded happiness when my nine worthy sons made me consider those women unwise who would put a daughter-in-law in comparison with a son . . . but a few days since the N. E. R. R. announced that they are giving a round trip to New York ... Your Papa was at once ensnared and pro­ posed our going-I ,vas very reasonable referring it to his dis­ cretion-so we got paper and pencil and cajoled ourselves with the calculations that this short excursion would not cost us more than the housekeeping at home-£or the children will come in to be fed-and ,vell that they did, for if our housekeeping for ourselves alone had been the calculation, no ingenuity of figures would have brought up the whole expense to those of the railroad tickets. My arrangements for leaving home are few but my poor old heart has been distracted by my foolish head. The head wisely admonishing how ,vrong it is to ,vaste money-the heart sobs out "but ho,v happy the little presents will make the grand­ children." I do hate to be poor but I have secured something for every one of the dear children. As I made my purchases I many 160 THE MILES BRE\VTON HOUSE times fancied I heard your voice saying "Indeed, l\1ama, that is wrong''-! knew it, but as I am only denying myself there is no dishonor or sin in it-so Minnie shall have this and Lizzie that, until something is in the trunk for each. Poor old Scipio died early this morning. Cretia is much grieved. The funeral service was in the yard. At the conclusion of it the men formed a line on one side, the women on the other and the coffin was borne slowly through them chanting a solemn dirge. The old, worn, wooden crutches were carried after the coffin and buried in the grave with it. Has James received the photograph of the old home? Believe me dear, your devoted mother- Mary M. Pringle.

July 28, 1868. My beloved daughter : Rebecca is at my side and baby Frost on the floor at my feet cooing, laughing, squealing. I am in such a whirl of confusion that I do not recollect if I told you of our return here .... but alas ,ve were much shocked on our arrival by the distressing intelligence of the death of Judge Frost. Much of the time of his illness was clouded by delirium, but every lucid interval was devoted to ejaculatory prayer and earnest thanksgiving to the good God ,vho had bestowed so many "rich and precious blessings" upon him ... He had ·become weary of Ii f e and recently expressed a singular disregard to its being pro­ longed. His ,vi f e and children venerated, honored and loved him. A great Democratic meeting was held in our poor old city a few nights since-General Wade Hampton was an invited guest and was hailed with a wild enthusiasm. I ignore politics yet cannot help some feeling about them. I certainly have no en­ thusiasm for the yelling and shouting of an impoverished prostrate people. Seems to me a most sad and distressing mockery. After having read the recent letter from Edward, we all felt · comforted and had a consultation as to the future-your Papa says ,vhat we earnestly agree to, let us stick to ·the old wreck until the waters are over us then ,ve must move off-forced a,vav bv circumstances, we will have no reason to fall back upon ,J .., regrets about it. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 161

King Street, August 4, 1868 To James: The crisis is, I believe, at hand. The Presidential election will bring on the issue-there will be risk in it no doubt, but the Democrats once in power, the Government of the Southern States will be reorganized-although individual ruin and misery may never be repaired-the misery never can-you cannot imagine the total prostration of certain classes.

August 4, '68. My beloved daughter: Your letters bring you so very near to me .... They seem to give me a magnetic touch even when I hold them in my hand unopened ... I feel it no hard thing to believe Cora all that James tells me she is, and I value her be­ cause the future of my darling son so entirely depends upon her. I have such visions about James bringing her on to make us a visit, and yet in our present political condition it is madness to form schemes, for verily we do not know what a day may bring forth. The rascal Mackey has fall en from his high estate. He has lost his election as U. S. Senator; the delectable Sawyer was preferred to him. Apropos of the Radical Mass, when it con­ ferred in the Citadel Square the chairman could not for the life I of him explain to the people why they had met together-so after a few incoherent words he sat down-whereupon a wheel­ wright and a preacher got up and gave a "discussion on humani­ ty" ! ! !-then a great shower of rain fell down and the Radical Mass flew under sheds to protect themselves. When the rain ceased they sallied forth again to congratulate Sawyer on his election and as they were out on public duty they called out the discomforted Mackey to hooray for him too .... Rebecca Frost and baby left last night. The old home is very dreary and sad today-like the "thick darkness that could be felt" is the solemn silence. I feel it in every fiber of my heart and yet a soothing thought arrives-I am glad that you are away, for you are being comforted by the cheering presence of outside things. In miss­ ing Rebecca I think of how glad and grateful I am that she has husband and baby to make her happy. You never saw such love as Rebecca has for this baby ... It makes me tremble as I ,vatch 162 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE her ever anxious thought for his health, his comfort . . . He misses her presence as if by instinct ... He greets her with out­ stretched arms and a shout of delight even as the tear stands glistening in his eye. Your devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle. November 8, '68. l\1y beloved daughter: You asked what I do through the day-the very recapitulation would weary you. After exhausting myself by tedious duties, I rest and refresh myself by writing a letter--often murmuring to myself "Now this is pleasing"-To my other vo­ cations, I add just now the feeding of Rebecca with nutritious and suitable food. I have just told her she must hurry as she has a bowl of hot soup--a piece of cold duck-and a cup of choco­ late to demolish before a dinner at half past two that I must take before going to a funeral at half past three . . . Playing with Pringle Frost is another thing that occupies my time-He was quite sick too for two days, yet never gave up laughing and jump­ ing although he had pain enough to make a man groan. Rebecca was of course miserable and as Frank had returned to Santee I was obliged to sleep with her-that made your Papa groan. We were obliged to send for Dr. Geddings, and his powders under Divine Providence have put him to rights-so he is more natural today-he has just gone out to make a visit in his straw carriage in which his nurse has put a young white kitten. The kitten climbs up on the edge of the carriage and the child stands upon his feet in great glee over him and thus the carriage is drawn along by Amy who is nurse. Rebecca has made a beautiful white woolen overcoat for him trimmed with a broad band of glisten­ ing white beads. Helen Middleton's thread lace cap makes his costume complete and quite disguises the poor Confederate boy -no one would suspect poverty when looking at him. After these varied occupations and amusements I take my accustomed walk generally alone until Rebecca came down. The grandchildren would willingly have gone with me every afternoon but as I could not restrain my old propensity for giving a treat I slyly slipped out of the habit of this companionship and com­ forted myself in my solitude by thinking I saved ten cents every afternoon: " a penny saved is a penny gained" : but I felt very CHRONICLES AND RE11INISCENCES 163 mean under the thought and kept it a profound secret from the dear children. Letters come to us dated one month earlier than the post­ mark-there is wrong somewhere-find it out. I can't bear mis­ management or carlessness even about trifles. I am not reproach­ ing you, but I think the agent whom you trust sometimes for gets your letters in his pockets. I hope no one will consider this re­ mark personal but I hope the error will be corrected. Visitors ! visitors ! I am wearied by my friends. Your devoted mother, Mary !vI. Pringle.

King Street, Nov. 18, '68. My beloved daughter: I am all ready for the meeting of the "Confederate Widow's Home", as this is its first anniversary. Those Californians who promised to give of their abundance, never did. Rebecca is so worldly-minded, that she says she has visits to make a~d shopping to do-so she will not go with me. She is obliged to send her one dollar, however, and that is better than her presence. The benevolent patronesses of the institution have extended the shelter of the home to the orphan daughters of our Confederate dead that they may be lodged and boarded without expense ... Matilda Middleton tells me that the most touching letters ~ave been sent in, praying that a daughter, two daughters, or three daughters may be received. There must be a limit even to charity. The number from a family has been re­ stricted to t,vo. One of the clergy who addressed the association was a Mr. Adams ,vho was at Cambridge when our beloved Charles was there. He told your Papa he kne,v him, although not intimately. He is a native of Massachusetts I believe. Rev. Vedder too is of Northern blood, but they both expressed the warmest Confederate feeling and sympathy. Your devoted mother, M. M. P.

King Street, Dec. 15, '68. My beloved daughter: I suppose you have not seen such gloomy clouds as are overshadowing us since you have been in California. I wish you could ever be far away from the dark things around us. 164 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE

I have imagined that this may be my precious James' wedding day. I thought of him as I knelt in prayer and the yearning pe­ tition came up that God would send upon him and the young girl to be confided with his whole future, the influence of the Holy Spirit. Our assistant minister Mr. Trapier, is gaining the good will and confidence of the ,vhole congregation, against much pre­ judice ... foolish.girls and foppish men wanted a young man .. they murmured that the voice of the congregation ,vas not taken The Vestrymen and a few sensible old women stood still . . H'is next sermon exhibited much thought . . . he searches out the poor, administers the Communion to them, Baptizes their children .. An old woman told me that when she thanked him, he said "Don't thank me, I am only do"ing my duty" . . . Love from a thousand friends. Your devoted mother, ~1:ary M. Pringle.

Dec. 23, '68. l\fy beloved daughter, . . . Rebecca has just sent me a Christmas cake-iced by herself. I must say that the performance does not do her skill much credit but the work of love was a precious evidence of her devotion to her old Father and Mother. Mary writes that a cake will come from her too so ,ve will all feast on the dear love of these good daughters. How different their lives are-yet each one so happy. Cornelia's ,vhite cross will make me grate­ £ul that she stands a blessing in my beloved son Ed,vard' s house­ Tell James the nail brush that he brought when he could so ill afford to pay for it, is still in use, and reminds me of his two strong characteristics-love and fun. 1868; many a time has my poor heart trembled at the thought maybe James has let the hard duties of Ii f e turn him a way from the good part that he chose so early in life-but you have said when writing of Communion services, James was there. God be praised-A Christian Iif e is the bulwark against all ,vrong­ I have no fear when I know mv., children hold on steadfast to the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Your devoted mother, Mary M. Pringle. CHRONICLES AND REMINISCENCES 165

The Boarders At 27 King Street During the Years 1919- 1933. The word "boarder" is from the Anglo-Saxon and other languages. A boarder is one who sits about one's board for a compensation. The word "guest" is also fron1 ancient languages; sometimes signifying one who is traveling and visits. Each of these words may give us vistas of the past. Each may bring to mind famous visits and famous hosts. In the realm of man it has been his attribute to have a sense of home; from this home, the background of his affection, his sentiment, he fares forth; he becomes perhaps a welcome visitor, bestowing his talents, his genius, his knowledge gained through travel. The guest may be­ come an invader; the ,vord has at times borne this signification; but the -vvords : boarder, guest, pilgrim, troubadours, minnesinger, bear within themselves age-old memories, rich with human ex­ perience, poetry, adventure, romance. Ho,v pleasant to have a board about ,vhich the family may gather; how pleasant to have a boarder for whom we bring forth things both new and old. How good to have a boarder who shares with us not only his purse, but also his spirit, who lays before us experience and ac­ complishment. \"le have been in this same home since March, 1919. In all of this time the old house has enclosed within its kindly, ample shel­ ter, boarders-guests. Our hearts and spirits have been ample, kindly, and so have the hearts and spirits of those ,vho have stayed vlith us. Also ,ve have been human, with human natures. The manners and custo1ns of this house remain somewhat unchanged. The household gathers for breakfast, where Grace is said. The break£ast consists of hominy, eggs, fish, sausage, bacon, biscuits, ,vaffles, muffins, marmalade, honey, fruit-not all of them on one day, but always hominy. A handsome dinner in Charleston would consist of Cooter (turtle) soup. fish, game, condiments, desserts, ,vine. This dinner would be served by servants who waited with gusto and ceremony; also secretly, at times, openly, fully appreciating the wit and good speaking. The "tea" of rnv., childhood consisted of tea, with bread, and butter, perhaps preserves, always ginger-snaps; served with- out a maid. I have learned that the elders sometimes indulged in an oyster supper late in the evening.. I remember hearing the 166 THE lvIILES BRE\VTON HOUSE oyster woman, ,vhen I ,vas in bed on \Vinter nights, crying: "yoiester". The voice sounded plaintive to me; perhaps the crier ,vas not so sad as I thought, except when there was rain. These street cries sounded in the ears of all those whose childhood was fifty years ago; they linger with many fond associations-I now realize the gay, gallant, brave spirit from ,vhich these cries proceeded. I ren1ember one crier, Joe Cole, ,vho must have been part Indian. His ,vares were fish. He bellowed gloriously. There was his voice, his fish, his customers; \vhy should he not glory in all of these? And so he did. Ah, customers____ i\h, hucksters; Ah, humanity. I remember also the songs of those who poled their rafts do,vn the river. These rafts were made of logs pinned together. Several rafts ,vere tied together; a square of earth ,vas placed upon the raft; upon this square the fire was built. The men lived upon these rafts for perhaps a week. Their songs borne across the water were delightful. \Vhat is man? What is human nature? It said, "He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum, and said what a good boy am I". Human nature is expansive; it likes to expand with satis­ faction, it likes to beam upon mankind and say "this is I ; behold me; I "rho have achieved through ,visdom, through favor". Yet human nature may be chastened; it may see itself as one ,vho seeks the ,vay of ,visdom; it may desire to be one of humanity. Human nature is the creation that is dear to God; it is in the making ; it bespeaks his human nature. Does man give to the universe some idea of God? ].\fan beholds sunrise, oceans, moun­ tains, bees, ants, birds. Myriads upon myriads of sight, sound, touch. He experiences explosions, destructions. He finds these to be magnificent. J.\,Ian is expected to be upright, gentle, re­ ceptive. \Vhence the word human? The ,vord nature? To be human is to have a kindly appreciation of humanity, a benign sense of the foibles, capacities, we may say; a deep need for its companionship. The idea of human nature, nature from natural birth. Nature tinged with the human sense as opposed to God's sense. Our guests or boarders for this season, September of 1932 to May, 1933, have been: Mrs. Huntington of Baltimore; l\1rs. Huntington has not been well; she spent several weeks ,vith us. vVe spent one morning on the Battery; we greatly enjoyed the sound of the water, playing against the sea wall; the breeze gently CHRONICLES AND RE11INISCENCES 167 touching us; the sunshine, the passing to and fro of those \vho also were enjoying the Battery. Vole also \\rorked in the gar­ den and made garments for the Red Cross. She has since passed from this Ii f e. Mr. Joseph Ferdinand Sindelar, from Cincinnati, introduced by Mrs. Graham; Mr. Sindelar came in September; there ,vere delicious Japanese persimmons from the garden; we had break­ fast on the porch. Mr. Sindelar enjoyed this experience, so did we, my sister Sue and myself. Mr. Sindelar brought from the garret a white china vase, trimmed ,vith gilt ; also a very hand­ some vase, probably Sevre; these had been broken in several places and were biding our time to restore them ; we later sent them to Philadelphia. They have been beautifully restored; the broken parts have been brought together by rewiring. Mrs. Howson and daughter spent one night with us. Mr. and Mrs. Clark J. Lawrence of Hubbard, Ill., one night. Mrs. Robert W. Emmons of Boston and l\1rs. H. Richardson of Brook­ line, Mass., ten days. Mrs. Emmons and Mrs. Richardson have stayed with us several times, so that our friendship has been in­ creased. Mrs. George S. Hatch; Mrs. William Lawrence and her daughter, Miss Edith Hatch of Bedford, Mass., spent several nights in the Garden Rooms. Mrs. Ruben H. Broaddus, Mrs. Pyle, l\tliss Lucy C. Roller, of Bowling Green, Va. These three stayed in the North drawing-room. We formed a warm friend­ ship; we gave to Mrs. Broaddus the little drake named "Edward". "Eddie", given to us by our brother. Dr. Greenfield of Johns Hopkins ; introduced to us by Margaretta Pringle; His friends, Mr. and Mrs. Scudder. These all so full of eagerness and con­ tentment; stayed in the Garden Rooms. We formed a pleasant friendship. March, 1933; Mrs. Chapin of Washington and son, Richard, introduced by Dr. Mary Brosius, who had stayed with us some years ago. Mr. Charles Claussen of Milton, Mass .... stayed with Mrs. Snowden and took meals with us. These en joyed them­ selves and ,ve enjoyed having then1. Mr. and Mrs. Alan Valentine of New Haven, have stayed ,vith us twice before; they have shown us photographs of their dear children, and have many friends in Charleston. 11:r. Gar­ rison Norton of New York; Mrs. Charles G. Burleigh of Brook­ line; Mrs. Lewis E. Kimball of Montclair, N. J. Mrs. Kimball 168 THE MILES BREWTON HOUSE formed a pleasant part_ of the household. April : Mrs. Lindsey Loring of Westwood, Mass., and her daughter, 11ary Margaret, spent several days in the Garden Rooms. Mrs. Loring while here wrote poetry, her impressions and memories of this house. Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick of Raleigh, N. C. They have stay­ ed with us before ; they considered that staying with us was a val­ ued part of their visit to Charleston. \1/ e value their friendship. Dr. Langley, Mrs. Zeigler and daughter; Miss W olfex came for a convention, stayed one night; we received kindly letters of ap­ preciation from Mrs. Ritchie, Mrs. Eustace ; Mr. and Mrs. Reed, Mr. and Mrs. George G·. Flint, Michigan; Mr. and Mrs. Bradley M. Davis, Ann Arbor Mich.; Mr. Davis filled his room with bot­ anical specimens. Mrs. Crowninshield, Mrs. Spear; Mrs. Crowin­ shield has stayed with us several times; through her kindness we have been able to remove the ugly handles from the handsome secretary, a secretary and book-case; and a wardrobe, replacing these with suitable brass handles or wooden knobs. How good it would be to name all of the boarders who have sojourned with us; each accord.ing to their individuality have made their gift, enjoyment, the light of the eye.