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GZ ETT SOOO sz — ÉTÉ ÉTÉ ——JONK
Poe PAMES RIVER: (P'OAN TATION, + BELT
=a
—S SS stőláge
to end its pilgrimage at the high brick wall which secludes from
idle gaze the Temple burying-ground.
This six-foot wall, covered with the grays and golds of age and
topped with crescent bricks, is in such good repair that the only
break in it was made when it was built, and this was to permit the
entrance way. Roses and periwinkle here live together as kindred
in a spot as peaceful as the imagination can picture. A wistaria
of patriarchal age, with gnarled and knotted stem, with ivy of
ancient lineage, drape the walls and festoon the tombs, the oldest
of which dates back to 1800. To the south and the east and the
north of the graveyard the apple orchard of about fifteen acres
extends. 3
In April, the rosy-red bud unfolds its blossoms near this garden.
In May, a dogwood pitches its tent within its borders. In June, the
frail mimosas call to the humming-birds, which fly to it from the
acacias that overshadow it from the lawn. With September, the
hickory and walnut trees give warning of autumn’s onslaught.
Then comes the glory of flaming maples, which lose their leaves
only in time to give way to the blue and red berries of cedar and
holly which brighten old Ampthill till spring.
And it is in the spring that the old place is at its loveliest, for
then the apple trees are in full bloom. At this season no one
walks in the garden or stands on the lawn, but is told some tale
of haunted chambers or of water sprites seen on calm May
‘nights dancing in the lowlands. For, when the gorse throws out its
gold banners and the apple trees pitch their pink tents, Colonel Cary
walks once more in his garden to see if all goes well with his place.
This old garden in its calm repose means—ah, so much!
Memories come to the least romantic and fancy slips back over the
bridge of two hundred years to recall what Ampthill stood for in
the days of the English Georges. But, the thing of all others that
appeals to us of this later and much changed day, is the human
interest the old garden awakens. It is this very quality that lends
to the semi-neglected spot its elusive, haunting charm.
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