The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-01-24
"Reminiscences of Bracebridge Hall.''
BY UOSPES.

April, 1864, the alarm Of fire startled the III
mates of hospitable and spacious mansion near
the town of n, who, with some guests from
neighboring town and district, and some near
neighbors, we're spending the evening SocabIy
and pleasantly in the drawing room, with music
and song at intervals by one Of the guests,
married lady, whose vocal powers were highly
appreciated by the good people of the town of
N, several years ago. The flames had made
such progress that, before the family were aware
of it. they were bursting from the roof, ilumi-
mating the grounds around, and had been OBJ
served BY some of the neghbors and persons
living mile distant. The fire had originated in
the attic, from some cause yet unexplained, and
IN an hour or two, the edifce which had been
built more than fifty years ago, and succeSsIVe!y
enlarged by two generations, was heap OF un-
slightly ruins. And here it might be appropriate
TO give lref history of the place in archaolo-
eical style, though the annals do not run back
into antiquity very far; but as we have not
many centuries in uur history as nation, even
6fty or sixty years back seem very primitive. In
short, then, the nucleus around which successive
additions or formations have clustered, was built
originally by progenitor Of the writer, Col. R,
whose history is closely associated with the early
settlement of the district and town. he being an
emigrant from the mother of States or the old
Dominion, so-called, believe, from her adher-
ence in colonial times to the royal cause in opposi
tion to Cromwell and the Commonwealth, or to the
House Of Stuart instead of the House of Hanover.
To this original settler Of 'Bracebridge Hail.,
succeeded, but not in direct succession, one of
the step-sons of Col. R, who enlarged the
main building and added the projecting wing
which is only one story and resembles the chan
eel of church, especially in its present state,
which looks not unlike Norman or Gothic ruin,
ahough the architecture does not make such nigh
preteusions.* The more modern part Of the
ruins bear faint resemblance to the magnificent
remains of Kenilworth Castle, without, however,
the mantle of ivy which clothes the medieval
ruins of that once gorgeous and almost palatlal
structure, some of the leaves of which the writer
once brought away as souvenir Of the place.
The last mentioned proprietor of "Bracebrldge
Hall" was succeeded by one of his own sons,
whose occupancy aRd-improvement Of the house
and grounds, and whose reign Of hospitality this
sketch is designed to commemorate, and which
was so rudely interrupted by the confagration
already described. So much for the brief history
of 'Bracebridge Hall", the Second, as dear
friend and felloB-solder of the writer (killed at
the battle of the Wilderness used to call t,from
its great hospitality, of which he and others of
US had had ample experience in happy days before
the war and during furloughs at home. He with
myself and other friends were in camp near Bris-
tol, Tenn, when letter came to one of our num-
her Rlth this endorsement on the back ''the resi-
dence Of burned down last night, April 4th."
This sententious and oracular endorsement struck
like knell on the hearts o! some four of us who
had good cause to regret the burning of 'Brace-
bridge Hail." the Second.
The house had been greatly enlarged few
years ago, so that its spacious corridors crossing
each other and communicating between the old
building and the new, gave All idea of ample
space beneath the roof, and hooks and corners
which suggested games of ''hide and SEEK, such
as the unfortunate GineVra whose story is so beau
tifully told by Samuel Rogers, in his poem of Ttaly
and the bride of Eord Lowell IN the romantic
and melancholy ballad of the "Mistletoe Bough"
INDUCED in when each one of those unfortunate
brides hid herself in an old oak chest, (which
closed with spring., and which stood in some
out of the way gallery or garrett where she never
was found till her bones had mouldered and ''her
bridal bloom lay withering there in liHingtomb"
to use the language OF the poet who has celeba-
ted the merry bridal ard its melancholy ending.
':Bracebridge Hail." the Second, before the
renaissance looked quite English-like, as many
remarked, with it's walls of light drab rough-cast
and its substantial structure so suggestive of du
rability, and its delightful and dignifed retire.
ment. Since the latter enlargement or addition
to the house, though more imposing as well, as
more irregular and rambling, it was not improved
in symmetry, and partook less of the character of
plain, simple, English country house, but its
commodiousness was greatly increased, and con-
sequently its capacity for hospitable entertain
ment as well as for the demands of numerous
household. The two>spacous parlors added to
the front with large folding doors opening upon
a wide entrance hall, formed a suite which were
admirable for large entertainments, dangling sol.
rees or for tabIsaur vivamt. The two large
sleeping apartments above these rooms were
pleasantly situated, and on one side commanded
q fine view of the town as we'll as the intervening
country, and the. champaign beyond. And then
the little hanging side portico at the end of the
corridor, running north aud south, which looked
southwark and seemed suspended in the air. was
fine standpoint or lookout from which to view
the undulating and picturesque landscape. 1t
was pleasant on wintry night or dark, wintry,
rainy spell of weather, to be domesticated at
Bracebridge with party Of congenial guests or
visitors, male and female, whe, with the very ge-
;nial and agreeable host and hostess formed
little circle Of most delightful social enjoyment.
Since this article was written, the Goths and
Nandals alias the utitarianS, have torn down
part Of the ruins for the use Of the brick in
building The pleasaunce which had been so
!