American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-06-24

THE BONAPARTE PLACE AT BOkDENTOWN
The following letter describing the present
condition and occupant Of the late residence Of
the ex-Eing of Spain at Bordentown in New
Jersey, is from correspondent of the Evening
Post:
SIN a brief visit lately to Philadelphia, stop
ped for a few hours at the really royal residence
of the late Count de Surveillicrs, Joseph Bo-
naparte,) which lies near the high-road, now
railroad, about halfway between n York and
her Quaker compeer. This property is admi-
rably situated for commanding effect at a bend
of the River Delaware, which sweeps with a
graceful curve around "Point Breeze" and
wanders meandering along through beautiful
champaign country till quite lost in the dis
tanco. 1t is singular fact that Napoleon in
looking over an American map many years be-
fore the downfall of his house, pointed out this
spot as charming site for country residence.
His brother Joseph, in coming to this coun-
try, remembered the situation thus singularly
suggested, and purchased the property. A
splendid mansion which he erected here, was
destroyed in 1890 by fire, and sad to relate,
many valuable obj cts of art were swallowed up
in the conlagratlon. An observatory, which
is we'll known to all travellers, now stands on
the spot of this disaster. By the will of King
Joseph, this beautiful property has descended to
his grandson, the young Prince of Musignano,
who has just reached his majority The prin-
cpal buildings consist of the residence of the
late count, which is now occupied by the pre-
sent owner, and is constructed in the interior
very much after the style of an Italian palace.
, On entering the Hall, you turn to the left, and
passing through the billiard room, enter the
grand drawing room.
This leads to several smaller saloons en- suite,
numbering six or seven, leading to the sale a
manger, which opens on conservatory On
the second floor are many fine rooms, including
the principal library some forty feet long. An
of them, above and below, are richly adorned
with pictures of the old masters of the greatest
value. / have no time to dwell on their seve-
raj merits, though there is not one in the col
lection which would not afford study for a
painter. Perhaps the gem of the gallery is a
delicious painting by Raphael Mengs, and
though TIE glory of his name is somewhat
faded yet this relic Of his genius is enough to
preserve his fame. The subj ect is the Nativity,
and in the composition, drawing and calorng,
nothing can surpass it, The stamp of MASTER
hand is every where upon it, and it needed not
such exquisite decacy of touch and careful f.
Hish to make it most precious work. 1t was
painted for one of the Kings Of Spain, and the
price paid was 900.
There is a rumor, we'll founded we believe,
that some of these fine pictures are to be sold,
as others are daily expected from Italy, that
would hardly End room in the present crowded
state of the walls. To return to the buildings,
there is another very snowy mansion, connect
ed with the one first mentioned by a subterra
mean passage, which was made TO afford an easy
communication between the houses without ex-
posure to the weather. There are other houses
of smaller pretensons, unnecessary further to
mention. The Park is some three miles in ex-
tent, and laid out in carriage drives and walks.
There are seven or eight f1ourishing farms at
tached 70 the property, which yield goodly
revenue. 1t was the especial delight OF the
late 'l.ord of the Manor to bestow his time
and attention to the improvement of this favor
ed spot. He lavished large sums of money on
his troops of workmea, and gave steady EN-
poyment to all the poor of the neighborhood.
The kind heart of Joseph Bonaparte never de-
serted him, whether in the golden halis of the
Escuria, or the serene seclusion of "Point
Breeze" The princely inhertor of this splen-
did domain is grandson of the late Count.
His mother is the Princess-Zanaide, daugh-
ter OF Joseph, who married her first cousin,
Prince Charles eldest son of Lueien. The
Prince OF Musignano arrived in this country
but month since, and has already enlisted
the warmest feeling in his favor His amabe
disposition, graceful bearing and bland address,
have quite charmed all who have approached
him; and it is pleasant thing 10 know that
the kind memories, surviving of his benilicent
.rrandsiie, are likely to be renewed and per-
petnated BY the generous impulses of his wor-
thy descendant The Catholic church of Dor-
dentown has just received an instance Of the
young princes bounty in various rich gifts that