The Sunday herald., 1886-11-07
A VISIT TO OAK HILL, VA.

one blight day early in July we determined TO
carry out plan OF ours we had long been con-
templaing-a visit TO the home OF James Monroe,
Oak Hill, Loudoun County, Va. After short Journey
of two hours or more We found ourselves In the
quaint old-faahioned town OF LeesburR,wh after
taking good care OF the sinner man." we were for
tunate In securing horse and vehicle and the ser.
vices OF oquacious youth, an Offspring OF the "sa-
cred soil,n and pioneer OF the picturesque region
The drive OF nine miles running south OF Leesburg
to Ade seemed hardly more than half the distance
Loudoun County, we wsre well aware, ike Old Fau-
qnier has always been noted for the fertility OF the
soil but we totally unprepared for i,s grandeur
OF scenery. But am getting far away from the
original subject. Oak Hill is my destination, and
we must not tarry. "Tme and the hour runs through
the lOngezt day" The entrance 10 the old virginia
estate Is an avenue OF oak trees, and the
house, which was built by Mr.. Monroe after
his return from the Court OF ~. James, Ii sur
rounded by the same sturdy tree. The house ID a
miniature copy OF the Executive Mansion, hand
somey finished, and built OF brick In the most sub
sanal manner and is probably 70 by 90 feet, three
stories high. including basement. AT the south OF
the house is 6 large portico with high Doric co.,
umns, and as you stand on this portico you can al
most Imagine yourself looking DOWN upon the
White Lot. Everything Is Just the same, the large,
massive piIlars, the beautiful grounds, and the
| scenery; and mere / must pause moment, ana
| peraaps be a little critical But upon the Whole ]
will not. SONS may ike the artificial culture OF the
aforesaid grounds. Potomac mats and all. ! ad-
mire the beauty Of nature, aad ! must hear IN
mind, too, that "comparisons are 0diols.' Bul
| Run and a smaller mountain generally known IN
that locality as "Ngger Mountain" because the
stones found on II are supposed TO resemble the
head OF a. ald-fashioned Virginia darkey, tower
above the surrounding country, and M gaze ou
upon all OF lhls grandeur OF nai-ro lAe thought
comes across me, "oh, that ! had winas Ike I
doye!p The rooms IN this Old mansion are enor
mous, some Of the larger ones being "a b!
| u feet, with very high ceilings, and II
the principal rooms are TO be found IN
J white marble Iasntepeces sent from France u
Mr.. Monroe by his lifelong friend Lafayette.
very peculiar feature OF thls house Is iG staircase
which Ia very steep aud narrow, aud arranged In (
| bOx-like room on one side OF the house, quite
, coniText 20 our present style OF architecture Ca
Hlll was sod IN 1853 by an executor OF Mr. Monroe
ana since that time II has been transferred iwcean
wonderful 10 relate. some OF ihe Old furniture s'i
remains. My attention was particularly sttracie
} by an old mahogany table with marble slab and
, nigh brass railing, which upon close examllalio
| proved TO be a chess table. have no doubt thi
mans weary hour In the latter lie OF this eminei
statesulan was begglled by this attractive game.
could dwell ~ SOME leAgtl Epon olher historic piece
of furniture, hut 1 Inasi Saas on DOW 10 sma
grave yard at the foot OF an Old orc4arg, Yqere u
the reIuains OF Mira. Monroe nee AortFishi, ane n'
Youngest daughter, Mrs. Gouyerneur, SMarla MOI
roe y mother aud daughter, side by side. The ialt'
name you ace 30 frequently mentioned as bell
married In the whlte House could have enjoys
several hours longer at this historic spot, but, ala
. ali pleasant things must come 10 ~ cpd, ana
turned our horses head towards Leesburs, feeiii
'' grateful for Day well spent.