50 



space of similar dimensions and treated in an identical man- 

 ner. This is without inner doors, but open on to the broad 

 corridor that runs across the house from right and left. Cur- 

 tains of red damask on three sides convert the center of the 

 corridor into a sort of antechamber beyond which is the 

 great central hall. Quite from the outer door the spacious 

 splendor of this apartment has been visible, for the whole of 

 the center of the house is brilliantly illuminated by the flood 

 of light admitted by the vast window under the arch of the 

 terrace front. 



The hall is of regal proportions, rising to the full height of 

 the second story. Ionic columns, on either side, divide it into 

 three bays. It is thus basilical in plan, with aisles on each 

 outer edge, while the central space is supported by the col- 

 umns and pilastered piers in the corners. Above the entabla- 

 ture are arches enclosing balustrades, and which surround a 

 corridor carried around three sides of the hall at the upper 

 story. Oriental rugs are laid on the marble floor. At the 

 great window arch are curtains of green damask lined with 

 white silk; at the entrance is a green curtain, and at the four 

 doors on the sides, which lead to the other apartments, are 



tapestry curtains of blue and yellow tones. On the left, 

 within the aisle, is a handsomely carved fireplace and mantel 

 of white stone ; on the opposite wall, in the aisle, is a superb 

 piece of tapestry. In the center is a green marble table with 

 white marble feet: it supports a richly carved vase. In the 

 corners by the entrance are marble statues. 



The rooms on either side may be reached from the central 

 hall, but it will perhaps be more convenient to visit them from 

 the main corridor. Like the hall and vestibules this is floored 

 with white marble, spread with rich Oriental rugs. On the 

 right it leads to the billiard-room, situated at the extreme end 

 of the house ; and on the left it connects with the servants' 

 quarters. It is so broad, and high, and spacious — as are all the 

 apartments on this floor — that it has a true monumental char- 

 acter. Its chief decoration is a series of busts of Roman emper- 

 ors, of which six are in the right hall, while two stand in the 

 farther corners of the left extension. These sculptures are 

 nobly placed, and add immensely to the monumental effect of 

 the corridor. 



The first room on the right is the library; it is also directly 

 entered from the great hall. The walls are covered with red 

 striped damask, the same rich material being used also for 



February, 1907 



the door and window curtains. The woodwork is mahogany, 

 the mantel, with a facing of green marble, being of the same 

 wood and very richly carved. The hardwood floor has a 

 large Oriental rug, and the furniture is covered with red 

 velvet. The white ceiling and cornice are elaborately 

 molded and detailed. The bookcases which surround most 

 of the lower part of the walls are of mahogany, carved and 

 molded; they are enclosed within leaded glass doors of 

 beautiful design. The room is lighted by side brackets. Im- 

 mediately adjoining is Mr. Biddle's den, a small room in 

 green, with green walls and green curtains over lace curtains 

 at the single window. 



The billiard-room is at the end of the corridor, and com- 

 pletely fills this farthest end of the house. It is treated 

 throughout in warm brown. The floor is formed of large 

 dull-red bricks, on which are many small Oriental rugs. It 

 is paneled in wood to the frieze, which is of carved leather 

 depicting hunting scenes. The ceiling has wooden beams, cor- 

 responding with the rest of the woodwork, the panels being 

 filled with leather, of the same beautiful warm-brown hue 

 which characterizes the whole room. The curtains, both for 



the doors and the windows, are of brown leather with green 

 and gold bands. The spacious mantel is of wood and is 

 a part of the wainscot. The facings are of red brick similar 

 to the floor; immediately above, in the center, is a large deer's 

 head. The windows have white lace curtains within the 

 leather curtains. At either end is a low platform with a built- 

 in seat. The furniture is covered with light-brown leather. 

 The great height of the ceiling adds immensely to the effect 

 of this beautiful room. 



The reception-room is opposite the library and faces the 

 entrance front of the house. It is designed and furnished in 

 the Louis XVI style and is a delightfully cool and charm- 

 ing apartment. The paneled walls are in French gray. There 

 is a built-in mirror over the fireplace, which has facings of 

 mottled-red marble. The curtains are of pink damask over 

 white. The chairs are of French gray covered with tapestry, 

 and the other furniture includes many fine old pieces of 

 great beauty. 



On the left hand side of the entrance doorway are two 

 rooms, both entered from the main corridor. That on the 

 front of the house is the breakfast-room, treated wholly in 

 yellow, with warm-yellow walls, and curtains of the same bril- 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



