Oldal 82 [82]
OCR
— OP THEY DAMES RIVER) PLANTATION: BELT sequestered spot recalls. What a procession has passed through the Westover garden! The visitor who loves to dwell upon the past may close his eyes and see pass before him all that has gone to make Virginia picturesque and great. There stands the tomb of William Byrd the second, who was called "The Black Swan." His epitaph upon the stone informs us that, not only born to ample fortune, he was of brilliant mind, courageous spirit, and kindly disposition. It is related of him that he was handsome, graceful and fascinating; educated and traveled; the most elegant of gentlemen and the best of good fellows. In him the most solid qualities of mind and character were united to all the courtly graces and accomplishments of his time. How delightful to picture William Byrd and his companions as they strolled through this garden two centuries ago! Courtly and sophisticated gentlemen they were, in brilliant coats and flowing ruffles and satin small-clothes. How the sun must have flashed from their silver buckles and their golden sword-hilts as, in leisurely fashion, they offered each other their jeweled snuff-boxes! With what stately courtesy they addressed the beauties who, with powdered hair and fans and patches, in gowns of flowered silk, walked with them here when the garden was young! These gravelled paths must have known, too, the soft tread of the moccasined Indian,. bronzed and painted, stern of face and guttural of tongue. . Then would come the runners of the woods, the hardy frontiersmen (pressing ever westward up the river in canoes), swarthy as the Indians, fur-capped, shirted in fringed leather, their flint-lock rifles on their knees, alert and keen eyed, grateful for a moment’s rest and the hospitality of Westover. William Byrd the third, an officer in the Colonial troops, must have passed through those gates in his scarlet regimentals, goldlaced, well-horsed, his sabre by his side, on his way to the French and Indian wars. And up to these same gates rolled the lordly [49]
