November, 1909 
One side of the pergola bordering the garden 
not maintain themselves unaided and much labor and 
thought has gone into this newer garden-growth. 
And this, I take it, is exactly as it should be. A garden 
was always here since the first stone was laid of the founda- 
tion by good old Colonel Hamilton. But more than a hun- 
dred years is too long a time for a garden to survive in 
America, except under the most favorable circumstances and 
the most unusual conditions; I mean, of course, a continuous 
survival, with care and attention for the whole long time. 
We hardly, to our sorrow, do things that way in our most 
progressive country. The nomadic instinct is still strong 
within us, and many of us scarce move into a house and get 
the garden going than we are looking abroad for other abid- 
ing places. 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
425 
An entrance to the garden 
So, as things, go, a hundred and forty years is a prodigious 
time for an American garden to be tended, and nothing of 
this sort could have been expected of poor old Hamilton 
House. Yet, to-day, the place needs no sympathy, for it 
commands only eager admiration. For the house itself, 
some repair was needed; but this has, in no instance, been 
overdone, nor, at any point, been more than was necessary. 
The fine taste shown in this structural work, and on the 
work within, has been reflected, and, if possible, magnified, 
by the embellishment of the garden. Fortunately, the basis 
of beautification was here and the restoration of this 
glorious old garden was, we may be sure, a task of abound- 
ing interest and deepfelt affection. 
It is, in any event, a wonderful place to own, or even visit. 
