House and Garden 
THE LIVING-ROOM LOOKING INTO THE MUSIC-ROOM 
the left of which is noticed a stone wall, along the top 
of'which extends a latticed rail, which partially con¬ 
ceals a most attractive home in the Italian stvle of 
architecture. I'his is “ Villa-al-Mare, ” the summer 
residence of Mr. George Lee, a member of the firm 
of I.ee, l ligginson & Company, well-known Loston 
hankers. 
Mr. Lee’s father, Colonel Menry C. Lee, was one 
of' the four pioneer summer residents of this now 
famous resort. He erected a home here, more than 
sixty years ago, a short distance from where 
“ Villa-al-Mare,” now stands. 
At the time Mr. Lee purchased the land which his 
charming summer residence now occupies, it was a 
most forlorn looking spot; in fact, it was a sand pit, 
which had been excavated until it had become un¬ 
sightly. No expense was spared in its transforma¬ 
tion, and that the outlay of money was well worth 
while, is attested by the fact that to-day there is no 
more artistic or charming place along the Shore than 
this picturesque Italian villa, and its attractive 
grounds. 
The house has a stucco finish, with a red tiled roof 
and was designed by W. G. Rantoul, architect, of 
Boston. It stands hack from the main road, on a 
slight elevation, and commands a magnificent view 
of the nearby ocean, dotted here and there with the 
white sails of various crafts. In the distance is 
Misery Island, the mecca of sea-lovers, and the site 
of many interesting bungalows, one of the most at¬ 
tractive of which is owned by Mr. Lee, and is known 
as “Ye Court of Hearts.” The little steam launch 
that constantly plies its way between the island and 
shore is plainly discernible, as is West Beach, a 
favorite bathing place of the younger members of 
the exclusive set. 
Passing between ornamental gate posts, up a short 
flight of stone steps, and along a circuitous path, 
bordered on either side by velvety lawns and great 
masses of shruhberv, one comes to the entrance front 
of the house, where, mounting a few more steps, he 
finds himself within a quaint, pillared porch, orna¬ 
mented by pretty hay trees set in artistically chiseled 
Italian marble pots. 
The broad entrance door opens directly into the 
hallway, which is not large, but is most attractive. 
Magnificent tapestries and beautiful paintings adorn 
the walls, and on all sides are mementos of sunny 
Italy, with which Mrs. Lee has delighted to surround 
herself, in loving remembrance, no doubt, of the 
land of her birth. A broad oaken staircase rises 
from the center of the hall to the second floor. 
To the left of the hall is the music-room, which is 
Italian both in detail of the design and in its furnish¬ 
ings. The walls are finished in white and gold, and 
are topped with a shallow' vaulted ceiling, beautifully 
tinted in delicate colorings, several of the panels 
are the w'ork of Mr. Lee, w'ho is an artist of ability. 
184 
