Historic Gardens of Virginia 



of stage coaches and boxwood gardens. Its leafy streets and lanes 

 have charmed travelers from many countries. One of these, the 

 Marquis de Chastellux, wrote in his diary in 1780: "The chief 

 magnificence of the Virginians consists in furniture, linen and plate; 

 in which they resemble our ancestors who had neither cabinets nor 

 wardrobes in their castles, but contented themselves with a well- 

 stored cellar, and a handsome buffet. If they sometimes dissipate 

 their fortunes it is by gaming, hunting and horse races; but the 

 latter are of some utility, inasmuch as they encourage the breed 

 of horses which are really very handsome in Virginia." 



Standing in the spring sunlight in the Williamsburg of today 

 and shutting our eyes to the growing city, what lover of history 

 can not obtain glimpses of the panorama of the past. Through 

 its old garden gates many historic figures pass — Colonial governors 

 with lords and ladies from foreign shores; awkward Patrick Henry 

 with his tongue of silver fire; John Marshall, Thomas Jefferson 

 and Richard Henry Lee. Then Washington, LaFayette and 

 Rochambeau; Cornwallis the conquered, and Tarleton, too. And 

 in the days of the early Republic, Madison and James Monroe. 

 Since their brave day nearly every president of the United States 

 has, at some time, visited the picturesque town. 



The most important thoroughfare, Duke of Gloucester Street, 

 begins at William and Mary College, to end at the Palace Green. 

 Using this as a central or starting point, a quiet ramble through 

 the little town will repay one with interest and patriotic thrills, 

 as each street has its particular story; around every corner, about 

 each nook, is woven a web of historical associations that bring from 

 the dustiest memory an answering appreciation. And, though some 

 of its dwellers have modestly said, "There are no gardens in 

 Williamsburg," this ramble along shady streets and about century- 

 old houses will prove that in the springtime, at least, the whole of 

 the town is one beautiful, old-fashioned garden. 



The Palace Green, lying just on the east of old Bruton Church, 

 has given way to a school building, which was constructed of the 



[20] 



