Historic Gardens of Virginia 



at every hour and In every weather there is beauty — majestic 

 beauty. The legend is that the small bushes were passed through 

 the hands of General Wickham, then an infant, by his mother, the 

 creator of the flower garden. It recalls the dim stretches of a 

 cathedral aisle. Some prefer the sunlight percolating through the 

 arched branches and the feeling of uplift and inspiration. Those 

 who have not seen it in a light snow can scarcely grasp its fairy- 

 like beauty, and by moonlight there Is romance indeed. 



The members of the Philadelphia Garden Club standing at the 

 entrance were moved to silence, and one of them sent the following 

 lines In memory of their visit: 



HICKORY HILL 



A Retrospect 



"A dream it was, a dream of fairy trees, 

 Great Box trees, bending o'er our lifted heads 

 As we gazed skyward, through their bending green. 

 Or looked through their long vistas, ere we trod 

 The path beneath them. 'Twas a path oft trod 

 By courteous and by gentle men and dames 

 This hundred years which have so changed our world. 

 Its Season-changing beauty, new to us. 

 Yet dear from just one seeing, is to them 

 A heart-close tie, to tie and bind them fast 

 In deeper love and bond to that dear home. 

 Where even those who serve, both serve and love. 

 Nine times has dusky father left to son, 

 And he to son or grandson of his line, 

 Duty of service to this blood and place; 

 Nor could war break nor freedom's call could win 

 These from their loyal service, gladly given." 



The most recent poetic effusion inspired by the box-walk comes 

 from a charming young woman, who looks more as if she belonged 



[94] 



