The James River Plantation Belt 



sequestered spot recalls. What a procession has passed through 

 the Westover garden! The visitor who loves to dwell upon the 

 past may close his eyes and see pass before him all that has gone 

 to make Virginia picturesque and great. 



There stands the tomb of William Byrd the second, who was 

 called "The Black Swan." His epitaph upon the stone informs 

 us that, not only born to ample fortune, he was of brilliant mind, 

 courageous spirit, and kindly disposition. It is related of him 

 that he was handsome, graceful and fascinating; educated and 

 traveled; the most elegant of gentlemen and the best of good 

 fellows. In him the most solid qualities of mind and character 

 were united to all the courtly graces and accomplishments of his 

 time. 



How delightful to picture William Byrd and his companions as 

 they strolled through this garden two centuries ago! Courtly and 

 sophisticated gentlemen they were, in brilliant coats and flowing 

 ruffles and satin small-clothes. How the sun must have flashed from 

 their silver buckles and their golden sword-hilts as, in leisurely 

 fashion, they offered each other their jeweled snuff-boxes! With 

 what stately courtesy they addressed the beauties who, with 

 powdered hair and fans and patches, in gowns of flowered silk, 

 walked with them here when the garden was young! 



These gravelled paths must have known, too, the soft tread of 

 the moccasined Indian, bronzed and painted, stern of face and 

 guttural of tongue. 



Then would come the runners of the woods, the hardy frontiers- 

 men (pressing ever westward up the river In canoes), swarthy as 

 the Indians, fur-capped, shirted In fringed leather, their flint-lock 

 rifles on their knees, alert and keen eyed, grateful for a moment's 

 rest and the hospitality of Westover. 



William Byrd the third, an officer In the Colonial troops, must 

 have passed through those gates in his scarlet regimentals, gold- 

 laced, well-horsed, his sabre by his side, on his way to the French 

 and Indian wars. And up to these same gates rolled the lordly 



[49] 



