The Coolidge examiner., 1931-04-17

Society. Washington. D. Cl
(WNU ServiceD
TIME setting aside of three areas
in Virginia as the Colonial Ma
tiOnal monument, by proc
lamatiOn of President Hoover,
creates what might be termed
Junior national park" that is a
shrine of American history. Inclnded
in the monument is the southern half
OF jamestown island, where the first
Virginia settlement was made; a
portion of the town of Williams
burg; and the eastern half of York
town, with the surrounding battle
field area.
But there are many other shrines
in this region in which so many of
the leaders of the republic lived.
AS one WanderS up the James river.
journeys up the Rappahannock, fol
lows the Virginia shore of the Po-
tOmac, or motors along the eastern
foothills of the Blue Ridge. he dis
covers hundreds of fine old estates
that have played a part in the
drama of America.
Mount Vernon, the home of homes
in American history. has been de
scribed and pictured innumerable
times. Monticello, second only TO
Mount Vernon in it's SacredneSs
as shrine, unrivaled in its perfec.
tiOn of line, angle and curve, unsur-
passed in the magnificence of its sit
uation, has also been described by
many pens. Arlington, with its
memories of Robert e. Lee and its
Valhalla soldier dead round about,
is a third Virginia estate we'll
known to all readers.
But WestOver-what fairer spot
is there than this fine old home,
with its memories of the second
William Byrd and his fair daughter
Evelyn? The emerald clasp of the
golden necklace of the James, it
has been called. AS one sits on
that glorious lawn, with IT'S mag
inficent trees, two centuries old, his
tory recreates itself.
COurtly cavaliers in brilliant
coats, flowing ruffles. satin knee
breeches, and with silver shoe
buckles. jeweled swords, and golden
snuff boxes, gather there and pay
court to lovely ladies with pow
dered hair, patches, fans, and
dresses of flowered brocade, who
come and go as in the days when
William Byrd ii was known as the
Black Swan and Evelyn'S beauty
was the toast of two continents.
We see again William Byrd III, in
his scarlet regimentaIs riding off
20 his command in the French and
Indian war, or in his lOrdlv coach
and-six with iveried Outriders, go
ing with his ladies to visit their
neighbors at Shirley and Brandon
and other seats of the 'River
Barons."
Then comes the Revolution, with
its visiting burgesses to discuss the
patriot cause. with its youthful
Continental officers in their buff
and blue uniforms to pay court to
the fairest of the fair; with its gal
liant French officers to lay siege to
the hearts of Virginia bellies. 1t
brings Benedict Arnold. the rene
gade; and CORVALLIS arrives in
his turn, on his way to Yorktown
and defeat.
And then comes the Civil war.
Mcclellan uses it for his head
quarters and enemy soldiers ruin
its fences, trample its gardens. and
leave If desOlate.
Shirley and Brandon.
Shirley is its neighbOr up the
river. Brandon down the stream.
Who that has visited Shirley could
ever forget this fine old three
storied, dOrmerwindOwed, square
built mansion? For nearly two CEN
turies it has sheltered hundreds
who have played distinguished roles
in the drama of American history.
Here came, TO wed the lovely Eliza
beth Hill, John Carter, son of king
Carter of COrOtoman who owned
quarter of a million acres of Vir-
ginia's choicest land and built
dozen baronial seats for his many
sons and daughters: and here also
came Light Horse Harry Lee to
WOO and win the fair Anne Hill Car
ter.
Brandon, seat of the Virginia
Harrisons-whO can describe its
simple beauty, with its two wings.
it's central structure connecting
them, and it's delightful garden, as
it has been restored to its present
owner?
One wishes that he could take
his readers on a ramble around Will