The Potomac and Rappahannock 



In the house border we find a tessellated border of box, each 

 point a symbol of a human being, who is the termination of a 

 line of ancestry, and the beginning of a line of posterity. In 

 these box designs we also find open-grave designs, symbol of the 

 Resurrection and humility — two bare feet designs, symbol of an 

 oblique angle (heel of right to hollow of left) — open circle stand- 

 ing for infinite expansion — solid sphere or worlds prepared for 

 human habitation — open squares representing Blue Lodge apron — 

 solid squares meaning salt which cannot burn or freeze — a broken 

 triangle and pendant, standing for faithfulness and regret. 

 Whether these were deliberately planned by Washington, we do 

 not know, but it seems likely that the young Mason worked out 

 his emblems, just as in the Vatican at Rome, since time beyond 

 record, the Pope's insignia is also worked out in box in his private 

 gardens. Two lilacs stand sentinel at either side of the gate, to 

 guard its privacy, and to extend a sweet, fragrant welcome to 

 visitors. 



In February, 1785, Washington writes in his diary: 



"Removed two pretty large and full grown lilacs to the 

 north garden, one on each side, taking up as much dirt with 

 the roots as could be obtained." 



The conservatory faces the entrance, flanked on each side by 

 the quarters of the household servants. This conservatory con- 

 tained a collection of rare exotics, some of which were presented 

 as tokens of esteem, and others purchased from the eminent 

 botanist, John Bartram, of Philadelphia. Among these plants 

 Washington had a small grove of lemon-trees, a sago-palm from 

 East India, and a century-plant from Porto Rico. These plants 

 were destroyed when the conservatory was burnt in 1835. 



The rose garden is to the right. Here indeed is a lovely sight — 

 borders of cowslip and ivy, and such lovely roses of all hues, with 

 lilacs as a background. What a delightful combination — lilacs and 

 roses and fresh perishable cowslips, with gray evergreen ivy. Long 



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