of as the boyhood home of Robert E.
Lee. This house abounds with memories of Alexandria. Her history,
romance, and past are interwoven here in a perfect pattern. Washington,
perhaps, frequented this house more than any other save Dr. Craik's
after the Fitzhughs moved to Alexandria from Chatham near
Fredericksburg.

Built by John Potts in 1795 on land purchased from Charles Alexander,
the date is attested by the stone fixed high in the wall under the
carved cornice. Potts and his wife, Elizabeth, deeded the property to
William Fitzhugh in 1799 for the sum of twelve thousand dollars.

The house and garden occupy half a city block. A central hall runs
through the house and every room opens by window or door into the
garden. The woodwork in the house, while simple, is in the best
tradition and, save for two missing mantels, is undisturbed. The
stairway rises on the left of the hall in a series of easy steps to a
landing that crosses one end of the hall and then mounts on the right
side to the second floor. The decoration of the risers and landing, in a
diamond motif paneled in a delicate mold, is reminiscent of the
designer, Adam. Two superb rooms open off the hall on each side, and the
dining room and offices are in an ell on a lower level. There are Adam
mantels of great beauty in the two master bedrooms on the second floor.
The doors, chair rails, cornices, floors, and locks are in a fine state
of preservation throughout the house.

In the kitchen is the brick oven with patent doors made in England and
inserted in the chimney about the time the house was built. A few years
ago, the former owners, Dr. and Mrs. R.R. Sayers, went to the address of
the manufactory at Stratton, 173 Cheapside, London. It was still in
operation and there they were able to purchase needed parts for the
faithful old oven.

Virginia is more like the mother country in the relations that exist
between her aristocratic classes, than any other part of the Union save,
perhaps, South Carolina. These people moved in one large circle,
marrying and intermarrying, related and associated as one enormous
family. Welcome in one another's homes, they kept alive family ties by
visits and letters, both of considerable length. It was quite possible
to go away from home for several years for a series of visits, moving
from one estate to another and remaining for the season--all the while
renewing associations within the chosen orbit.

Of this hierarchy was W