A l)])cn<li.i 409 



with men of affairs of all kinds, fhe same feeling, which 

 they called "stiffness," "coldness," "pride," "haughtiness," 

 or "reserve," revealed itself. That first morning it only 

 heightened in my mind the Spanish impression of the dark, 

 slim man, who so courteously welcomed us at his door. 



It was May, and the magnolias were in blossom. Under 

 our host's guidance, we strolled about his grounds, which, 

 although they comprised but some five acres, were laid out 

 in a large style, that greatly enhanced their apparent extent. 

 The town lay at the bottom of the hill, between the garden 

 and the water, and there was a road just at the foot of the 

 garden. But so skilfully were the trees arranged, that all 

 suspicion of town or road was removed. Lying upon the 

 lawn, standing in the door, or sitting under the light piazza 

 before the parlor windows, the enchanted visitor saw only 

 the garden ending in the thicket, \vhich was so dexterously 

 trimmed as to reveal the loveliest glimpses of the river, each 

 a picture in its frame of foliage, but which was not cut low 

 enough to betray the presence of road or town. You fancied 

 the estate extended to the river; yes, and probably owned 

 the river as an ornament, and included the mountains 

 beyond. At least, you felt that here was a man who knew 

 that the best part of the landscape could not be owned, but 

 belonged to every one who could appropriate it. The 

 thicket seemed not only to conceal, but to annihilate, the 

 town. So sequestered and satisfied \vas the guest of that 

 garden, that he was quite careless and incurious of the world 

 beyond. I have often passed a week there without washing 

 to go outside the gate, and entirely forgot that there was any 

 town near by. Sometimes, at sunset or twilight, we stepped 

 into a light w r agon, and turning up the hill, as we came out 

 of the grounds, left Newburgh below, and drove along roads 

 hanging over the river, or, passing Washington's Headquar- 

 ters, trotted leisurely along the shore. 



Within his house it was easy to understand that the home 

 was so much the subject of his thought. Why did he wish 

 that the landscape should be lovely, and the houses graceful 

 and beautiful, and the fruit fine, and the flowers perfect, but 



