The Upper James 



mirror-lake, whose calm waters reflected the beauty of the garden 

 and rippled with the graceful motion of the swan upon its waters. 



Where the lake narrowed to join the waters of the canal beyond, 

 a graceful arched bridge led across to the orchard on the one side 

 with fruits and nuts of various kinds. On the other, were the vege- 

 table gardens with a luxuriance of all things for the bountiful table 

 of the old house, within whose walls many noted guests were 

 welcomed. 



Near by there was a rabbit-warren, the soft, downy bunnies 

 being the delight of all the children in early days who visited 

 Bremo. 



In one corner of the garden wall stood the brick cottage where 

 Aunt Phyllis lived. She had special charge of the chickens that 

 feasted in the adjacent barnyard. 



Just after the War Between the States, General Lee was visit- 

 ing Bremo, where his family had spent much time during the war. 

 Aunt Phyllis had cared for Miss Mildred Lee's pets while she was 

 at Bremo, and the General said he wished to thank her; so, accom- 

 panied by two college boys, he called at the cottage. Aunt Phyllis, 

 who was the pure African type, stood curtseying in the doorway 

 and hastened to tell General Lee of her war experience. She said 

 that the Yankee soldiers in passing Bremo had induced her, under 

 false pretences, to feed and house her large flock of chickens. 

 They then entered the hen-house, caught all of the chickens, tied 

 them to their saddles and were off, with the laugh on the old woman. 

 Aunt Phyllis wound up her story by saying, "Mars Bob, dem 

 Yankees is de mos' interruptious nation I ever did see." General 

 Lee threw back his head with a hearty laugh and said, "Auntie, 

 I have certainly found them so !" 



With the passing of the old days and the old regime, many 

 beauties of the garden also passed, and nature now runs riot with 

 lavish luxuriance on the spot that the gardener's art once shaped 

 into ideal beauty. The old home, mellowed by years, stands en- 



[137] 



