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CASTLE. HILL SEES N beautiful Albemarle County, at the foot of Peter’s 2) 63) Mountain, the Monarch of the Southwest Range and called by President Madison ‘“The Chimborazo Fash — sé of our Andes,” lies one of the famous old estates te G4 ÉN (os of Colonial days. Phan BETH a szar Castle Hill, standing among the lovely Virginia fields which slope gently away in all directions, is one of the best known homes of this historial part of Virginia. It was here in June, 1781, that Jack Jouett was given food, drink, and a fresh horse when he made his famous ride from Cuckoo tavern in Louisa: County to warn the then governor of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, and the members of the Assembly in session at Charlottesville of their danger from the proximity of the British forces under Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton. A few days afterward this energetic leader at the head of his notorious raiders, was welcomed by the lady of Castle Hill, who proved such a charming hostess that his stop on the march was prolonged into a social visit. Amid such diverting environment, the soldier made the neverto-be-forgotten acquaintance of the genuine Virginia mint Julep served in a silver tankard whose polished surface was filmed with frost. Green sprays of fragrant mint were fastened in by sparkling particles of crushed ice and luscious ripe red strawberries combined with the flavor of the eau de vie to produce that subtle and alluring taste, delighted vision, and entrancing odor which made it easy for the rigorous Briton to temporarily forget the stern demands of war. | He saw—tasted—and was conquered. One julep followed another until, when, some hours later, he finally reached Charlottesville, his quarry had flown. he wood near the dwelling at Castle [265]
