Page 378 [378]
OCR
ae = SS ee 91 ZET —_ SE ee THE POTOMAC AND RAPPAHANNOCK place from its beginning, is apparent from the original name “Rose Hill” which Mr. Bernard changed to "Gay Mont" in honor of his bride, Miss Jane Gay Robertson, of Richmond, Virginia. The portico at Gay Mont is supported by six large pillars with balustrades between, and is enclosed at each end by the wings. Between the windows opening on the portico and at either end are plaster busts of Washington, Franklin, Shakespeare, Milton, Scott, Byron, Napoleon and LaFayette. In front of the portico is the driveway, and beyond are three terraces, each three hundred feet in length. he last terrace, twice the depth of the first two, broadens out at its base into a semicircle at either end, and has a border of roses its entire length. Between the second and third terrace there is a small formal garden, in the shape of a circle, consisting of four plots separated by gravel walks, with a fountain in the center surrounded by conch shells and ivy. ‘This little garden was christened “The Beauty Spot,” by which name it is still known. The water supplying the fountain was brought in lead pipes from a reservoir in the rear of the house, and after the War Between the States, when ammunition was scarce, the lead from the pipe was made into “‘slugs,’’ and used instead of shot by the huntsmen of the family. In connection with the fountain there is an amusing story told of a small dog which had been trained to turn the wheel which supplied the water. He would sit on the lower terrace overlooking the avenue, intently watching for visitors, and on seeing them approach would dash to the wheel and work violently in order to have the fountain spraying freely by the time the host greeted his guests at the front door. At either end of the house there is a circular rose garden surrounded by box-bushes. Formerly this box was kept neatly trimmed, but it has long been allowed to grow at random and has now assumed the form of great, round masses, higher than a man’s head. At the back of the house, separated from the lawn by trees and shrubs, is the garden proper, consisting of a gravel walk, L235]
