oared barge sweeping up the canal to land this neighbor coming 
in favorite fashion to pay a visit to his mentor. 
If Gunston walls had tongues as well as ears, what conversa- 
tions around open fires they might report: Washington and 
Mason discussing the Fairfax Resolves, that threw down the 
gauntlet of independence; Patrick Henry getting from the cool 
and philosophical Mason the fuel for the fires of his eloquence ; 
Richard Henry and Arthur Lee talking of the French Alliance ; 
Rochambeau and Lafayette journeying north after the victory 
at Yorktown ; Jefferson and Madison, coming straight from 
Mount Vernon to get Mason's views as to the location of the 
nation's Capital. These early exchanges of opinion have been 
paralleled during the World War by the long discussions 
between Arthur J. Balfour and Secretary Lansing, which took 
place under Gunston trees. 
From George Mason the Gunston estate passed to his eldest 
son, George Mason of Lexington; thence to the third George 
Mason, all three of whom with their families, are buried in the 
quiet, tree-shaded graveyard pertaining to the place. After the 
death of the widow of the third George, in 1867, the estate passed 
out of the ownership of the Mason family. In 1912 Gunston 
Hall was purchased by Mr. Louis Hertle, then of Chicago. The 
house had been seriously impaired not only by neglect, but also 
by various erections that changed its character and appearance. 
The once well-tended gardens had almost disappeared, only their 
outlines remaining. Mr. Hertle, with the competent advice of 
Mr. Glenn Brown, architect, set about a thorough restoration of 
house and grounds, a task which he and Mr. Hertle have carried 
on consistently to this day. Among the many historic estates in 
Virginia, Gunston Hall stands today preeminent as a model of 
what was finest and most gracious in the life of the Colonists. 
Letter The members of The Garden Club of America who were 
prom fortunate in being present at the meeting held in Washington 
Mrs. Pratt from October the 23rd to October the 26th are enthusiastically 
grateful for the opportunities of this visit. They were given a 
bird's-eye view of Washington from its very inception. 
Instead of writing to a club in the name of its President the 
appreciation of our members, the Secretary, after this meeting, 
sends the thanks of The Garden Club of America to one woman, 
Mrs. Fairfax Harrison, who single-handed, created the organiza- 
tion which outlined and successfully carried out the plans of 
our happy three days. 
It was the pleasure of the Secretary, after the meeting in 
Washington, to spend a day in Fauquier and Loudoun Counties, 
the home of the Club of which Mrs. Harrison is President. The 
leadership and affection which follow her in her own Club have 
made friends in Washington for The Garden Club of America 
which mark a new step in the progress of this organization. We 
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