New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-15
A CHARMING JOURNEY
Visiting the Seventeenth Century
in Virginia.
HOUSEKEEPING ON A COLONIAL
WATERWAY. BY Frank and Cortelle
Hutchins illustrated. l2mo, PIP. Egg.
Poston. /, G. Page e Co.

as she wandered up the James River
knew not only how to get all the joys
possible out of such an expedition, but
how to describe II in such way as to fill
their readers with envy. Gadabout had
two little gasolene engines, so that she
did not depend on wind or tide or tow
She could saunter along as pleased her.
and with Henry. the trusty colored man
of-all-work at the fore, there was con-
sistent peace and good. cooking. The in
teresting part Of the journey really be-
gan at jamestown Island. where Cap
tain John Smith started the first perma-
nent settlement of the English in Amer
lea; where. just 301 years ago this
spring, the colonists faced starvation
and sought relief in cannibalism, to
which Pocahontas, 1.-The Kings dearest
daughter" the "Numparell Of Virginia"
often came with her wild traine," and
where she was married to John Rolfe,
who was. IL certain writings may be
trusted, very SNUG and long-winded
gentleman.
Only a few ruins were left OF the little
old village, but excavation is bringing to
view the brick foundations of many Of
the houses. The negro diggers are al
ways hoping to find a pot full Of money
there, but silver shoe buckle is as
valuable a discovery as has yet turned
up. There are pieces Of broken, crock
cry on which a blue dog chases a blue
fox, rusty scissors, here pewter spoon,
there a bent thimble and numerous blue
glass beads. such as John Smith told
Powhatan were worn by great kings, thus
obtaining a hundred bushels of corn for
a handful of the beads" Canny John.
But still the colonists starved. From
jamestown the Gadabout took her way
up the river. visiting as she went the
historic plantations on which the wealth
evolved from tobacco culture created a
life which was truly, as our authors say.
almost feudal in its pride and power.
The splendid old Colonial manor houses
have been, as a rule, maintained and
guarded, though the great estates have
shrunk TO comparatively few acres, and
no more are to be seen the mighty crops
Of the luscious weed" that were loaded
from the plantation piers into the ships
bound down the river direct for London
The voyagers were made heartily well
come in the ancient mansions, and have
described their faded beauties with zest
and taste. Not all OF these houses re-
main the property of the families with
whose names they are chiefly associ-
ated. Brandon is one of them-it still
belongs TO the Harrisons. and the old
portraits OF the race still hang on it's
walls. Among them Is Kneller's por-
trait Of lovely Evelyn Byrd, the Fair
Maid Of the James" brought from West
over by a relative who married a Harri-
son. Evelyn was the most romantic
girls figure in our Colonial history-a
maiden in her hopeless sorrow more
who whispered TO Master Alden why
don't you speak for yourself, john"
The memory of the Virginia lady. al
ways beautiful always young, fingers at
Brandon as the old Colonial flowers lin
ger in its garden. for the healthy Young
plants therein are descendants of those
brought long ago from England. A mys-
terious object in the old house is n secret
panel. whose spring was accidentally dis
coyered-but when opened nothing was
found in the hiding place behind 1t. But
Just underneath a window Of the secret
panel ROOM" the tratellers record. was
another place Of secrets. 1t was brick
projection from the wall Of such peculiar
form as 10 have invited investigation
When some bricks had been removed
and some earth taken out. human
skull showed white and CHASTITY. Then.
al tho touch of moving air. il crumbled
away II was mystery never solved.
as was mat other mystery as TO the
meaning OF the little gold ring which
for many generations has hung from the
chandelier in Brandon drawing room.
Cadabout cast anchor before Westover,
and many vivid pages are devoted to the
home Of Colonel Byrd and his daughter
Not forgotten is the great altar tomb
beside which The smiling ghost OF Eve
Ign. its inmate is said TO have appeared
to Mrs Anne Harrison in pursuance OF
a compact once made by the two young
friends. IT is good to know that the
splendid Colonial house has been re-
stored by its present owners with most
judcious and restrained taste Like
some Of the other Virginia mansions. il
suffered injuries during the Civil War
unnecessary and Wanton injuries. II
would seem. At Weyanoke another
plantation which suffered, the voyagers
noted the curious provision Of nature
which eased Grants crossing Of the
James. 1T was necessary for the fed
eral forces to traverse an extensive
swamp Apparently the swamp was i'm
passable: but the officers found running
through il a most peculiar formations
natural ridge OF solid earth II was a
ready made roadway upon which the
troops could pass through the swamp
and reach the river. Mr.. Douthat al
WAYS declared that the Almighty had
built IL for them" At Shirley planta-
ton the mansion is occupied by descend