SEPTEMBER. 407 



some of the best pear trees in Newport, many of them in full 

 bearing, and among which we noticed large trees of the 

 Buftum and Wilbur. The border next the wall, on both sides, 

 was planted with a thousand English hollies, all of which 

 grew well till last winter, when more than half were killed 

 to the ground. The vigor of tliose that remain, however, in- 

 duces us to believe that by selecting the seedlings some 

 varieties may be obtained which will stand our winters 

 safely. The grapes in the early house had been nearly all 

 cut, and the later ones were just beginning to color. 



We were much pleased with Mr. King's residence, and 

 the success which has attended his efforts in planting out 

 trees shows how much can be accomplished, even upon 

 exposed situations upon the seashore. 



Residence of J. Prescott Hall, Esq. — On the same side 

 of the shore as Mr. King's, but above the city, is situated the 

 residence of Mr. Hall, which commands a fine view of the 

 harbor, and adjacent scenery. It is a place of large extent, 

 containing nearly 200 acres of land, in a quiet and secluded 

 spot, away from the bustle and life of the fashionable part of 

 the town, and yet sufficiently near to enjoy all its advantages. 

 The place was taken possession of by Mr. Hall only five or 

 six years ago, and since then the house has been built, and 

 all the planting done. 



There are some interesting reminiscences connected with 

 the place. It was formerly owned by Mr. Malbone, a wealthy 

 merchant of Newport ; but as long ago as 1760 the house was 

 destroyed by fire, and laid a mass of ruins from that period 

 up to 1849, when Mr. Hall commenced the erection of the 

 present building. Among the ruins Mr. Hall found a stone 

 slab, with the date of the erection of the house. This he 

 had put into the wall of the new house, with the date of its 

 destruction and the completion of the new one, as follows : — 

 "Erected, 1741. Burnt, 1760. Rebuilt, 1850." It was 

 constructed wholly out of the material of the old hou^e, 

 which was brown stone. 



The design is by Mr. Hall ; it is in the pointed style, which 

 is just adapted to such a picturesque situation, with the beauti- 



