CASTLE HILL 



N beautiful Albemarle County, at the foot of Peter's 

 Mountain, the Monarch of the Southwest Range 

 and called by President Madison "The Chimborazo 

 of our Andes," lies one of the famous old estates 

 of Colonial days. 



Castle Hill, standing among the lovely Vir- 

 ginia fields which slope gently away in all directions, is one of 

 the best known homes of this historial part of Virginia. 



It was here in June, 178 1, that Jack Jouett was given food, 

 drink, and a fresh horse when he made his famous ride from 

 Cuckoo tavern in Louisa County to warn the then governor of 

 Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, and the members of the Assembly in 

 session at Charlottesville of their danger from the proximity of 

 the British forces under Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton. A few days 

 afterward this energetic leader at the head of his notorious 

 raiders, was welcomed by the lady of Castle Hill, who proved such 

 a charming hostess that his stop on the march was prolonged into 

 a social visit. 



Amid such diverting environment, the soldier made the never- 

 to-be-forgotten acquaintance of the genuine Virginia mint julep 

 served in a silver tankard whose polished surface was filmed with 

 frost. Green sprays of fragrant mint were fastened in by sparkling 

 particles of crushed ice and luscious ripe red strawberries combined 

 with the flavor of the eau de vie to produce that subtle and alluring 

 taste, delighted vision, and entrancing odor which made it easy for 

 the rigorous Briton to temporarily forget the stern demands of 

 war. 



He saw — tasted — and was conquered. One julep followed 

 another until, when, some hours later, he finally reached Charlottes- 

 ville, his quarry had flown. The wood near the dwelling at Castle 



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