A NOVEL BOOKSHELF 219 



The music room, carpetless, pictureless, and almost draperyless, 

 complying as far as might be with little known acoustic laws, and was 

 so placed as to be neither over damp nor over dry, too hot nor too cold, 

 and instruments were kept away from outside walls. 



Library. 



The tones of the driftwood fire were the keynote to the color- 

 ing in the library, and a sense of ease and comfort permeated every 

 corner. Books everywhere, with bookcases convenient to the pair 

 of big davenports that right-angled the fireplace proclaimed the book 

 lover. Over the mantel in burnt wood Avas traced the sage advice: 

 "First think out your work, then work out your thought," one 

 corner stone of all accomplishment. The motto habit also invaded 

 porch-room, den and billiard room as seen in : "Fait ce que voudrais," 

 and "Usted esta en su casa." But of greater interest than all others 

 was that ancient Egyptian motto that may have arched the library 

 wall of the builder or architect of Cheops "A storehouse medicine 

 of the mind." No mottoes were carved in stone or wood, but 

 admitted of change or elimination whenever tiresome. 



A mezzanine floor at one end of the library, reached by a private 

 stair, made the cosiest sort of a writing nook, ventilation being 

 accomplished through a chimney flue. 



A Novel Bookshelf. 



Bookshelves built conveniently low allowed pictures hung at eye 

 line. They were fitted with narrow, leather flap dust guards. The 

 unusual and attractive effect of a long perfectly level and uninter- 

 rupted line of books the entire width of the room was obtained by 

 the pardonable and harmless lapse in taste of setting back the usual 

 four feet apart division supports three inches from the' front shelf 

 edge, and filling out the space with short dummy leather backed books 

 securely fastened in place, harmonizing in color with the genuine. 



The self-locking metal curtains used only at house closing or 

 possible leasing times were thoroughly ventilated at top, bottom, and 

 sides, to dissipate the moisture attracted by leather. The cupboard 

 at the base was wide enough to form a convenient step or ledge, and 

 the upper shelf served to hold minor lares and penates. Bookshelf 

 area was sufficient to satisfy the most exacting bibliophile. 



Conservatory. 



Conservatory floor and side walls were white-tiled as in Shore 

 Rocks to contrast with green foliage, and the basin of the fountain 

 held that wonderful water plant, the Victoria Regina, which looks 

 like an enormous pancake with turned-up edge. In one corner was a 

 leather-cushioned, chain-hung seat, embowered in vines. Slate flower 

 benches were held in place by galvanized iron supports, and there 

 was a cement rose border. Electrolier and side lights were of non- 



