The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-13

Wossc We never nad an hours "a liz WIthal, ana MS
sscoess is a complete yerihcation of the Hberncsm
LAT you want any one TO DO anything well iof
ysu yoo must do II yourself The Reefs Villa .
large and substantial house of the modern Italian
s1yle Of architecture somewhat varied TO SUIT the
haste of the owner. The grand entrance faces 10
the west, and il square tower of three stories, sur
mounted by an observatory. There is a sea view
sonn every side that TO the southwest is particularly
Ape. The fret floor is devoted to the library draw
no and dining rooms. The latter is q very interest
iag apartment, and al its arrangements, including
ne means Of communication with the cuisine are OF
ihe latest and most approved style. The first story
II the tower being the grand entrance, is guarded
y knight in amor, pleasant recognition of the
legend that this island was inhabited by a race
antecedent to the g lnjines,n and that white men
east their lines IN these pleasant places long before
che friends Of Sir Harry vane and Anne Hutchn-
ron were cast out from the elect of Massachusetts,
bay Colony. The second story Of the Reefs tower
q pleasant rendezvous for ladies' sewing parties
and after breakfast chats while the third and fourth
are made equally useful. The same remark VIII o.,
ply TO every room ia the house. The hall flooring is
~ white marble, the grand staircase is solid black
walnut, and the house throughout is fitted and far
nkhed in the most superb manner, and with al The
modern improvements Water 10 carried to the .op
Of the house by force pump, and thence distribat-
ed by pipes to every apartment. Gas, which has
lately been introduced in Newport, win soon be sup-
pied TO all the houses this road At the re6r Of
fhe Reefs Castle is a lawn siopilg to the sea. The
high blun has been slopca and sodded, and sea
wall informs old ocean, thus far shalt thon 90, aud
NO farther carriage road encircles the entire
domain while the public path has been widened and
improved.
There Is . little incident about this public path
which is worth repeating. When Miantonomi ana
Canonicus, chiefs OF the Araphoe, Pokanoket ana
Earagansett Indiens, sold this island 10 the whites
ser six coats and nine hoes they stipulated that the
hight to hunt, TO walk, and to fish, all along the
shore; should remain to them and their people for
ever. The Indians have passed away but the people
81 Newport still insist upon the right 10 walk along
the shore; and delicious promenade it ia, too Mr.
William Beach Lawrence has protested against this
and walled his lands down to the sea- The wall
has, however, been Haysteriously thrown down as
soon as put up. It is to the credit Of the other
wealthy residents here that, far from attempting
10 close up this pathway, they have generally IN
proved 1t, and the proprietor Of the "Reefs' has
placed comfortable seats, where the weary pedes
trians may rest and enjoy the delicious sea view
The gentleman who DISTRACTED the path, though
probably right according TO law has only succeeded
b making himself detested by both rich and poor,
stranger and citizen.
The description of the "Reefs' will il the main,
answer for all. The marine villas on thia island arc
4nite equal in elegance and convenience to the best
residences in town. They are, in many cases, fur
nished from the best manufactures in Paris, ana
glorious in the manufactures Of Lyons, Brcsses aud
Austria.
~ A. 49,
houses Of Mr. Daniel Parish and Mr. Z. g. Stout Of
New York city General Cadwalader, of Phila-
deipha, celebrated for his gallant conduct in |
The riots and the Mexican war, has large quantity
Of land here which he has made preparations for
building. IN the meantime, he occupies conve-
nient although small house. Still following the ave-
nue. to the sea we come to the residence OF Mr. Mix
ter, OF Boston, and Mrs. Cleveland, Of New York.
while on the extreme point are the ckdteaar Of
Nessrs. Phalen and Payne.
We have referred above TO Mr.. James Phalen's
house, and it merits still longer description than
Me limits OF newspaper article will admit. % ]
site to ifr. Phaen's we see The pretty cottage. a
Nessrs. Rhodes and Mason, OF Providence. Mr.
Rhodes s true disciple Of Izaak Walton, and he
is probably anxiously awaiting q cloudy day and
Storm to bring the thirty pound bass within reach Of
she rocks at Lands End little further On to the
southwest we notice sort Of rocky nest--a small
cottage built by Mrs. Harper Of New York, and
sounded upon rock. The lady il devout Roman
Catholic, and has chapel attached TO her house.
Up the road again. and adjacent to the Eeefs, The
Hon. George Bancroft historian and politician, has
neat and spacious house. Mr. Everett mas been
here lately, and political quarTels have probably been
buried ny literary affines. Professor Lorgfelov,,
hopes and hexameters in the Immediate neighbot
hood. Mrs. Parkman, Of Boston, widow Of Dr.. Park
man, has house in front Of Mr.. Bancroft, and next
10 her we find The mansions OF Mrs. Richie OF Bos
ton and Mr.. Ludiam, OF New York, agent for the
Southern steamers.
Now we have arrived at the porter g lodge and
splendid arched gateway Of one Of the finest ami
most extensive houses in America--thc mansion I
Mr.. William C. Wetmore, the well known retired
China merchant, of New York city 1t is bui't
Of hammered granite, and was completed . y
two years ago. The drawing and reception roc i
are furnished from the best French ateliers, and
money has been layished on the general ar
rangements Of the house in the most proSgso mac
ner. There is fine conservatory and graz n
attached, and the sea air is borne TO ones oact0nes
tempered with the odors Of the sweetest e2otcs
The liberal proprietor OF thus house, which is much
finer than many royal residences, recently offered to
give ten thousand dollars towards making con
tinuous road around the beach but the town I
thonties did not accept the proposition to pay the
Z ast. The money expended on this house, with its
marble floors, oaken staifWays, and magnificent fur
piture, would be a small fortune for any six rcs
ably disposed individuals. Beyond Mr. Wotmort \
we end the houses Of Mr.. Lyman, Of Boston Mr.
Charles II. Russell, Of New York i; and Mr 9.
De Rham, Of New York. The last named gentle
has long been one Of tue leaders OF the q
Opposite TO Mr.. De Rham, whose chateau Is the aFst
south OF the Ocean House, Mr.. Brown, wealthy
citizen Of Philadelphia, has commenced to build,