Stranica 82 [82]
— 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 frontiers¬
men (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, gold¬
laced, 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
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