Washington, D. C., are historical landmarks in the life of John Tayloe Lomax. Not to dwell too long upon these things, perhaps the two last — which have been recently described — may be touched upon in pass ing. Mount Airy, the ancient home of the Tayloe's, is three miles from Sabine Hall, on an eminence overlooking the Rappahannock River, and is one of the few colonial homes that bore the brunt of the Revolu tion, the stress and strain of the Civil War, and managed to retain its distinction,— the state of preservation, never lacked by its broad acres, when dusky plowboys sent the music of the old plantation song far over the meadows, uphill and down-dale. Near the mansion house the highlands fall gently into a wide, low plain, which affords from the bowling green at the back of the house a lovely landscape scene, the silvery line of the Rappahannock and the pine-robed hills of Essex. In this view to the south the meadow lands, plain, and belts of forest include the area which has for centuries formed part of the Mount Airy estate. It looks to-day much as it did in 1827, when it was described by a French diplomat as an imposing edifice of granite on a fine elevation; connected by covered wings. Its interior consists of abroad stairway and long center hall, numerous high-pitched rooms and a gallery of family portraits of the Corbins,Taskers, Platers, Ogles and Tayloes, be side a conservatory filled with plants, and tall trees of lemon and orange. The garden is at the foot of the bowling green and has terraces and squares of old-fashioned flowers — the lawn in front is terraced and shaded by royal trees of yew. The weather-stained, sentinel sundial bespeaks the present and past, the rise and set of the sun upon the happy occupants of Mount Airy. The Octagon, Washington, D. C., was erected about 1779 or 1800 by John Tayloe of Mount Airy, father of the uncle who superintended the education of John Tayloe
Lomax. It stands at the intersection of New York Avenue and Eighteenth Street, where it is regularly sought out by visitors to the capital. It is a fine old monument of de parted splendor. Mr. Tayloe permitted it to be occupied by President Madison after the White House was burned by the British in 1814. The octagon room over the front hallway is the room in which the treaty of peace was drawn. It was here that Uolly Madison held the drawing-rooms which made her famous. The church of St. John at Washington, D. C., was the first building erected on La fayette Square after the War of 1812, to which John Tayloe was by far the largest contributor and to which he presented the massive service of silver, at one time in use at the old church of Luncnburg, Richmond County, Virginia. John Tayloe Lomax was named for the uncle, with whom he always maintained the closest and tenderest relation. His uncle had an almost parental regard for him, ad vancing his education and aiding him ma terially after he came to man's estate. He had the best advantages Virginia at that day afforded in academical instruction, and after due preparation entered St. John's College, Maryland, where he graduated. During this collegiate course and sojourn at Annap olis, he had social advantages, which that city notably possessed, in its society of dis tinguished men and women. In the sister of his mother, the widow of Governor Lloyd, he found a kinswoman deeply interested in his welfare and progress. He was often at the fireside of the Lloyd mansion, celebrated for elegant hospitality, and formed friend ship with men who later on were con spicuous for talent. Among these were Philip Barton Key, Francis Scott Key, Roger B. Taney and his cousin, the second Gov ernor Lloyd and many others. After completing this course of study, he entered upon that of law at Annapolis, and when qualified for the profession, he returned
