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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



August, 1908 



arch moldings, which extend beyond the main wall, as do the 

 high and somewhat narrow keystones which rise above the 

 crown of the arches. Above each keystone, and midway be- 

 tween the windows of the first and second floor, is a circular 

 terra cotta relief. The windows of the second floor are 

 rectangular, without external frames, but with sills supported 

 on simple consoles. A third story is completely hidden 

 within the cornice and balustrade. 



Such are the chief items of the exterior, but there still 

 remain some important matters to be noted. The porch of 

 the entrance front is a small rectangular structure applied to 

 the main doorway. It is, in truth, an outer vestibule, its roof 

 supported by Roman Doric channeled columns and its side 

 and front enclosed within elaborate screens of wrought iron- 

 work lined with plate glass. A marquise hangs before the 

 porch, covering the steps and a portion of the driveway and 

 fulfilling the function of a porte cochere. This porch con- 

 stitutes the single ornamental feature of the entrance front. 

 Mention should, however, be made of the wall inclosing the 

 service yard which is placed to the right; it is divided into 

 rather narrow bays by piers, each of which carries a ball 

 above the crowning cornice. The bays on the front contain 

 oval openings, with heavily blocked frames. 



The entrance front is necessarily the more formal part of 

 the house. In this great dwelling, standing in the midst of 

 its own grounds, there is no need for fencing and inclosures, 

 save for the service yard. The social side of the house — 

 the gayer and more intimate — begins immediately on the 



left end, with a porch reaching from front to front. Its 

 structure is similar to that of the entrance front — that is to 

 say, channeled Roman Doric columns upholding an entabla- 

 ture which carries a balustrade. The porch is built com- 

 pletely of terra cotta save for the piers of the crowning 

 balustrade, which are of brick. 



The water front is, of course, the "facade d'honneur." 

 The treatment of the house wall is exactly identical with 

 that of the other fronts, but the center, as has been stated, 

 is occupied with a magnificent colonnade formed of great 

 Corinthian columns and pilasters, rising the full height of 

 the two stories. These form five bays, with windows in each 

 of the two outer ones, but the central one, being occupied by 

 the fireplace of the living-room within, is closed with brick. 



The whole of this front gives upon a terrace, very 

 spacious in dimensions, very splendid in effect. The center 

 projects into the grounds a considerable distance beyond the 

 house wall, and flights of steps at the center and at the ends 

 lead to the lawns below. Bay trees stand on the steps to the 

 colonnade, and vases of gay blooming plants are disposed 

 on the piers of the inclosing balustrade. Very beautiful it 

 is here, with the shining waters of the bays below and in the 

 distance; and very fine it is too, when my lady gives a tea, 

 or her handsomely gowned guests seek respite here from 

 the gay doings at the ball within. I have already used the 

 word regal in referring to this house, and must do so again, 

 and especially here; for behind and above one is its truly 

 regal and quite superb facade; to the right and left and in 



The Dining-room Is Paneled in Solid Mahogany, with Door Frames of Siena Marble 



