The New York herald., 1867-06-02

pssserby on the road Is that of MIR Isaac Martin. A
broad gateway, beside which Is neat Goihic lodge
opens ON Wind drive, borderef with towering trees
OF centuries growth Pursuing ths the curious vs
4 conducted BY succession OF s~eepng o. the
porch Of a villa IN which the Gothic largely preiom
naies though there Is 20 stint Of decorate n where ne
Cesslty or good taste mako the demand Winding pa h3
of every width tsne among the trees and iuierace
the thick grassy carpet all cenerng In the circular gravel
drive around the house Neat flower beds laid out on
the plateau through whose shaded recesss paths
conduct, and everything air OF woody gu et
aud the repose OF both nature and art The stables not
lar distant from tho southery side of the house. also
constructed Gothic STYLE c0mmodious and conve
nent for their purpose On ,ne liver front the resi-
dence has the usual verandahs and bay windows com
naming Gne view OF the Palisades and the flowing
waors below The ridge here sweeps down Ia . steep
decline toward the rver bearing rich mass Of foage
on its sides.
The neigtboring residence is that Of Mr. Augustus
Smith. This h hne edince of predominant Italian
characteristics lofty, commanding aud beautiful IN gen
erai appearance situated The very edge OF the ridge,
with its projecting windows and balconies oecrhangnz
the trees that flourish on the rugged desc M,
1t also commands an excellent view OF the romantic
river and It's scenes From the shaded porch OF the
building the grounds present very fine appearance.
with the tticky in;erlaeed branches Of the the
close shaven lawns rustic seats and antique
flowing vita wealth OF fair howes Numerous wen
sep, 9alks and hne broad drive lead IN ongh TINS
beautiful aby the remote portion ot tho splendid
grounds, tie exit thercfrom being made through
gateway NJ the roadside.
The resi- tonco OF NJ. Beniain Douglas, on the grounds
adjoining Is nullt OF bro~n brick iI 10 three storc
in aigh and ia srs tho same style a. the preceding
thC addition O DfUdd piazza excAding MI NJ
the building on tho GRAND loor The house sit,-
ated kncii ir'i.ug out from tie ridg, and
ovoTangn ~, eide she siew pf the river 10 superb.
The gtOaucs are Kept IN enchanting condition
order aud rural sesuiy hundreds OF thick imbed and
stately trees Shading the grayeed avenues grace uy
moulded mounds sweeping awns rustic abors aud flower
beds redoent OF rare plants snging from tue snpered
soil make ups scene OF enchantment tnat could not
fail 10 throw even the most sod Dutchmsn into poetic
rspiures, and make him forcgo his natural regret that
tho smooth shady groves have not turned
into cabbage beds fhe stables, hothouses shady re-.
treats que nooxs aud pleasant groves OF these grounds
all the most extensive aud complete scale neces
sary the comfort and pleasure OF the most iastdious
All that wealth provide good taste suggest has
been Iavished until accustomed To the crowded
quarters Of the city might well imagine himself
earthly paradise for II wealth aud tho most bead
tfu combinations OF natural and artistic g,aces
ng aud peace OF mind TO tho weared toier in
the wded paths OF business hee II Is most surely 10
be found
WITH Is only short disa from the road, and Is ap
preached BY the usual fine carriage drve conducting IN
graceful curve around the house. The building Is
broad, rectangular in shape two stories in heLnt built
of rough gray stone, without any especia claims Of
beauty beyond the merc picturesque. IL presents a
rugged sturdy feudal appearance and Is repcte with
comforts within.
rurnln. down . finely shaded road, with neat
fences and loading Otto ard the river at right angles
with the main road, right largo brick
houses in graceful Iiaan STYLE Standing side by side
and approached by long straight drive These have
just been built by two brothers named Lane. The build
Ings being finished or aud the grounds lad out
with due regard for beauty and mid natural effect
s,il further along. on the right We meet successively
two cottages gothic In STYLE OF quito large pro-
portions, well kept romnncaly situated, tho properly
Of Mr. NJ Hopkins and occupied respectively by that
gentleman and General Davies. eLl
Sai further down. on tho right the neat villa Of Mr.
Inshan peops out from ts bower OF trees II Is situ
a.ed at central point whence ramify n1ne rous
winding patha and b surrounded with line lawns and
On tho left sidc OF the road seen the residence
OF Mr. Charles OConor, it, white gables and majestic
colonnade making a homely but grand show from It's
bower OF giant trees, viewed across clear broad
eomior.sbs cadins Of very little Architectural pre-
TENSIONS not modera In It's style, but grand in area
general appearances, fneness Of proportions and old time
" 10 most admirably situated on The upper
plateau and s surrounded with grounds beautifully
laid out aud groves OF beauties unsurpassed There
about not tns least air Of forensic fsrmay or legal
stiffness. IT. anciout oaks It's smooth Avenues aud
and Dti sE: TIN sturdy ID is%. S.n.'os. xss
romantic show, all denote . homo where the busy
OF life forgotten and monta res: naturally
comes TO OBJECT the sweet rsposs OF che surrounding
It seems the very spot for tho abiding place OF
author artist lawyer in their dolce far niete moods
lovely for their day Dreams for the artists
counsel L will be remembered Jct Davis took refuge
during his short stay In New York, in order escape
the attentions OF ,nprudsnt loaixsrs," and to reca
In front Of ssd beneath this residence, on fine
pstcan or terrace OF extensive area. and still situated
river are the nne grounds and residence Of Mr. John
Havens The grounds kept In very fine condition,
and & IN adasc to the ancient Gins m when border % is
extensive aud carefully arranged Tho building. which
is OF brick, painted dark gray color e Italian 10
@ansssed cone sssssd down un is sides
curved by pressure from above. The building Is
very snowy and prominent. but in It's general effect
jusses all It's grand presnsiona The plan devised
by is owner, whose innovations on the rigid syles Of
architecture are manly commondabe Mr. Haysns de-
the credit Of being the pioneer In opening the
beauties Of the Heights to tho pbiic, FOR in 1884 hs
oa OF the property ying the ridge new - fAveraby
known - Washington Heights, and dividing u betwecn
Them, they established their dwelling places in romantic
locations thereoG. Mr. Buck, built his hou-s whore Mr.
| J'Conor now resides and Mr. Havens established him.
SELF On the lower plateau site only few rods TO
the rgh, Of his present villa some years ago this spot
MAS the sosnc OF . most melancholy Occurrences, the
Of which stili ingsr IN the weird shades
Of tho goyes and bind their owner with
affection clorer 10 the spot One cold
December night tho residence Of Mr. Hsvens
10 10 Are aud being constructed Of Wood
was speedily envcioped In hames, Mr.. H. his wife
and QUO daughter having barely escape. Two OF
his dau shers however, sunoc2ted Ia tho sliding
emots tnsi alled tue house. This sod occurrence
dered The Spo, sscrsd theacsfora 20 the bsreaved
father TIE site OF the old still remains distinct
within broad circle ol bcx which encloses II, aud tho
gentleman fails part tho in.orveang bushes
nd 10 tell is story, Win melancholy interesl 70 his
ysito the present rcssdsncs built n the most sold
style The cellar u blown out OF tho soid rock. aud the
walls Of the honse from foundation TO roo, lwenty
inches ihick Tue porch faces tho south and the halt
way leading thercfrom the OF the house Is
eighteen tcriOse1 DotWcon TWO 8oi Walls
Of masoury OF great lickncs which bull. up tho
ro allowing the sunlight To eater rich floods, mol
lowed By Is rStaciion through tue stained glass OF
large skyght rns view from the roof OF ns building
Is superb.
Ths range os vision e,tsnds to the Pasades with tho
clusters OF small cottages the green plateau which
their top ami TAR ur the river whore tho steam
and tbe white sas appear and disappear ~ II BY
magic about the turn cf the stream la tho opposite
direction the commands Wow of the and bay
far down staten Island, against whose rugged hills
The white cottages stand out IN hasy relief 10 tne eye OF
the spectator A. the gsnces along the limo OF the
hcght ali the beauties Of The at once compro
headed IN the Wow. Tho swelling hill which
rises the right With minsrets and cas-
teiiated towers thrustng themselves through
thick clusters of foliage. the neat villas nearer
by. with Their Dne parks and walks twin
lng liko bright threads through tn huttering
MAS % lcsves shc rugged blnn whose verdsnt
sdes sweep down apparently 10 the very waters
edge all the observer a onee, and with cvery
detail OK thsr beauty combined. On Fort Washington
Points protesting bluff below Mr. Havens residence,
aud SKY feet shove the rverit has been proposed 70
cree, ans hcel, 10 - sept open the whole round
Tho locality mort favorable snon establishment