d befouled by some passing horseman
or vehicle and in danger of their very lives. "Bad Ben" Dulany thundered
up and down the streets, riding a spirited horse, sparing no wayfarer,
causing men to rush for safety to the nearest doorway. At Shuter's Hill,
his estate just outside Alexandria, he maintained well appointed stables
and owned fine-blooded horses. A "stranger" traveling in America records
a rather interesting horse story in connection with one of Mr. Dulany's
sons:

Throughout his campaign he [Washington] was attended by a black man,
one of his slaves, who proved very faithful to his trust. This man,
amongst others belonging to him, he liberated, and by his will, left
him a handsome maintenance for the remainder of his life. The horse
which bore the General so often in battle is still alive. The noble
animal, together with the whole of his property, was sold on his
death under a clause in his will, and the charger was purchased by
Daniel Dulaney, Esquire, of Shuter's hill, near Alexandria, in whom
it has found an indulgent master. I have often seen Mr. Dulaney
riding the steed of Washington in a gentle pace, for it is now grown
old. It is of a cream color, well proportioned, and was carefully
trained to military manoeuvres.[151]

* * * * *

[Illustration: The beautiful drawing room]

[Illustration: The original dining room at Mr. Dulany's, now the
library]

The Dulanys were hospitable folk, and many were the guests entertained
both at their country estate and at their Alexandria home. A revengeful
guest, or a malicious wit, startled the town one morning by the
following poem entitled

THE BALL AT SHOOTER'S HILL

By A.X.--Georgetown

Ben Dulany of Shooter's Hill,
Once said to his wife, "Our rooms we'll fill
With all the beauty, and all the style
And all of the rank and some of the file
That flourish in Alexandria
Alias 'Botany Bay',"
(Which was ever his subsequent say
When speaking of Alexandria).
Mrs. Dulany said with a sigh
"If such is your fancy, so will I".

Ben Dulany of Shooter's Hill
Said to his wife, "We will fulfill
Our social trust and invite them all,
The great and the wealthy to come to our ball,
The handsome and ugly, the pretty and plain,
The learned and the silly, the wise and the vain."
He was a man of great learning and wealth