Stranica 416 [416]
OCR
THE PIEDMONT SECTION The design of this old garden is in formal squares, which are separated from each other by wide grass-covered walks. Each square is deeply bordered with flowers and the inside filled with small vegetables. A bold stream, along whose banks were naturalized daffodils, narcissi, and forget-me-nots, runs through the garden; and, at intervals, this was spanned by three rustic bridges. In the borders were all kinds of old-fashioned flowers of that day, and its many varieties of peonies were known far and wide. The serpentine wall was covered with English ivy, and in its curves were violets and lilies of the valley. There was a huge cherry tree in the center of the garden from which radiated the rose arbors. There were avenues of lilac and other shrubs, with blossom or decorative berry for each month of the year, as well as sunny corners of sweet herbs, as essential to the excellence of old gardens as old cooks. With Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other distinguished neighbors, the garden at Barboursville was not infrequently the scene of merriment; nor did they need the local moonshine to give snap and sparkle to these occasions, for the cellars near by were amply stocked with imported liquors, and mint flourished in every nook and cranny, so no guest ever left Barboursville without at least one sip of the favorite beverage of old Virginians. One of the distinctive features of the house is the wide grass ramp leading up to the high front porch. The house was burned on Christmas Day, 1884. The interior is gone, but the vine-clad walls and tall white columns, draped in volunteer grape and ampelopsis, are still standing in their picturesque ruins. A large walnut tree has grown up through the house and has sympathetically spread its branches in place of a roof. A long, low wing at the right of the house is all that is left of the grand old mansion; but this serves as a charming retreat for a descendant. Governor Barbour’s granddaughter, who lives there in the shadow of past glory and who cordially extends the old-time welcome. ‘CAROLINE COLEMAN DUKE. [259]
