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HisTorRic. GARDENS ‘OF ‘VIRGINIA Immediately next door, the original Coleman house will be found, in the midst of a charming old garden. Here, still more yellow crocus bloom in the fall, and narcissi and squills rise each spring upon each terrace. Around the Garrett house on Capitol Street grow many old-fashioned shrubs—crepe myrtle, spiraea and mock orange. Bulbs, too, are here in plenty; the grape hyacinth’s blue, and the daffodil’s gold, painting a gay picture each spring. But the queen of this garden is the red amaryllis, which opens its petals in the fall. Within a stone’s throw is the home of Dr. Peachy, who played host to General LaFayette during the Revolution. Later, in 1824, when the Marquis was touring America, he was given a banquet at this same house when he visited Williamsburg. Stop for a bit— wander back over the years and gaze at the company who welcomed him. See the multitude of Virginia people thronging the highway, the doorways and roofs of near-by dwellings; the soldiers in their peace-time uniforms; stately Governor Pleasants on his prancing horse. Another moment—watch the crowd fall back. Grand old LaFayette, the hero of the hour, steps out upon the balcony—the multitude cheers—the General bows. When all this comes before one’s mind it is easy to forget today. The same bulb flowers bloom about this colonial house as are found all over Williamsburg, but a new note is struck when we see the anemone, Saint Brigid’s kind, in a frail, petaled dress when it blooms. At the east end of Francis Street, where there once was a beautiful old garden, stands the home of Burwell Bassett, friend and many times host of Washington. Bassett Hall, as the place is called, was later the town house of President John Tyler, and . here, it is said, Tom Moore wrote ‘The Firefly,” fresh from a visit to the great Dismal Swamp. ‘The broad lawn, now cut by a long entrance lane, was once the scene of cavalry drills, but the only reminder of those stirring days is now found in the old-fashioned flowers. Violets, blue hyacinths and daffodils of many kinds—the [24]
