Richmond and Viciniiy 



The outlines of the terraces repeat the lines and curves of the 

 house and portico, making It, Indeed, a living extension of the house 

 itself. This was the place of the confidential talks, the intimate 

 unrestrained life — the out-door living room. 



Old-fashioned brick walls invitingly lead one under rose- 

 arched pathways to a refreshing pool and fountain in the center, 

 which is guarded on three sides by marble forms of the goddesses 

 of Beauty, Flowers and the Harvest. From these radiate paths 

 around parterres filled with every old-fashioned flower which can 

 now be coaxed into bloom by the skillful hands of its present 

 loving caretaker, who says she receives each season plants and seeds 

 from numberless appreciative guests who have visited the house 

 and loved the garden. All do not thrive, alas! For the trees 

 have grown since the days the builder first planted them there 

 and the garden is now one of shade and sifted sunlight. 



We find an amazing variety of plants for so small a space and 

 of course among them the "vine and fig tree," Indispensable, it 

 seems, to "ye olde time garden." In the far corner a tall, magni- 

 ficent magnolia grandlflora planted In 1807 looks like a giant 

 candelabra shining and shimmering when it carries its full load of 

 pure white blooms from base to top; then fragrance and perfume 

 spread like incense all through the garden. 



The garden seems to recall the life of a hundred years ago 

 even more vividly than does the beautiful house, and to speak even 

 more eloquently of the charm and elegance of the ladies and gentle- 

 men who then enjoyed it. The fragrance of flowers, the ripple of 

 water, the witchery of half-concealed marble forms, the romance 

 of moonlight, the poetry of the past are still there. 



No better model can be had to this day for a city garden. 

 The ivy-covered brick walls, the arched gateway to the side, the 

 curved and straight paths, a hedge here, a clump of shrubs there, 

 an archway or vine-clad column yonder! The trick Is turned, 

 exclusion in the midst of crowds, complete 1 



Laura C. Martin Wheelwright. 



[83] 



