Evening star., 1922-06-15
HISTORIC BELVO|R
A MOTORING PLACE
Old Mansion Where WASH
| ington Danced Described
T by Geographic Society.

"Belvoir, Va, where George wash
ington danced, where Martha wash
ington was entertained at week end
parties and where Lord Fairfax rest
cd after his fox hunting, now is
popularity known among Washing
tonians as a destination of interest
for the motorist and luncheon place
for the motor boat enthusiast" says
a bulletin from the headquarters of
the National Geographic Society.
Though today there is just a small
pile of bricks made in England ana
a foundation which is aimost mag
irary to tell where the historic man
sion stood. the very spot itself speaks
of TIE romance of which early virginia
history is redolent. Not painting nor
authentic plan remains to tell "nat
the old house looked like. but its
location on a high green bank where
the Potomac bends gently southWard
just below Mount Vernon ana wlthln
sight of GunSton Hall the nome OF
George Mason. the father of the Vir-
Sinia declaration of rights, was
enough to inspire it's preservation by
transferring it to the United States
Army. 1t is now posted as an animal
reservation and picnic ground.
Had Ten-Miie River Front.
THE estate stretched in the old
days for ten miles along the river.
and the house site is a high point
which juts out into one of the deep
est places in the river channel.
From Washington it is easily &C
cessible by boat down the Potomac
or by an excellent military road lead
ing to Camp Humphreys. built dur
ing the world war as station for
engineers.
These stately gentlemen of Eir-
cinia had. from their front windows
or front yard. a magnificent view OF
the curving banks Of the river. and
of the soft blue hills on the Mary
land shore. Though the two or three
hundred yards of land that stretched
off on the right toward the intake
from the river are now overgroWn
with trees and brush they must have
heen cleared out then so the planters
might have a good view of the ves-
sells from England that put in at
their WharveS
Built in Days of Spectator.
The house was built. evidently in
the early eighteenth century. by VIII
liam Fairfax. the cousin and colonial
agent of the owner OF the land, Loru
FairfaX who at that time having
graduated at oxford was basking in
the sunshine of courtly favor and
ladies' smiles in England, contribut-
ing. as fancy pleased him, to Addi-
sons Spectator. and moving in the
inspiring and intellectual atmosphere
of London society.
When his lcrdshlp was Tilted at
the altar for suitor with higher
title, he decided to seek surcease
from his chagrin by visiting Ills
cousin William. who seemed to be
enjoying life on his vast holdings in
the colonies. So pleased was he with
what one early writer terms beau
tiful prospects and sylvan scenes.
transparent streams and majestic
woods that he afterward took up
his residence on part of his estate
in the Shenandoah valley.
III was at Belvoir that Washington
came r.nder the influence of the pol
iSh of an elegant English household.
Most of his sterling virtues and SIM
pie morality he had learned under
his mothers care. but in the Fairfax
home and on his long hunting trips
with Lord Fairfax and in his fire.
side talks with this veteran of ex-
opinions of the learned men at Oxford
and of the gayety of English society
he CLEANED much that stood him in
good stead in later years.
Why Mount Vernon Wns Built.
Lawrence Washington, Georges's
older brother. had married Anne Fair
fax. the older daughter of William
Fairfax, and 1t was for her that
Mount Vernon was originally built.
Later when the house was being re-
modelled for the coming of the bride
of George, it was William Fairfax
who went over every day or two to
be sure that the carpenters were get
ting everything in .apple-pie order.
Situated as Belvoir was, SO close
to Mount Vernon and to Gunston Hall,
1t was the center of great social
activity. Often whole parties would
move from one colonial mansion to
another in a continual round of fes-
tivities. One amusing and delight
full indication of the affection exist
ing between the Fairfax family at
Belvoir and George Washington is a
note written by William Fairfax to
Washington after the campaign
against the French at Fort Duquesne
begging him to come over the next
Sunday, 'or else the lady's will try to
get horses to equip our chair or at
tI,oin .tr.,r To