The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-29
NEW YORK HERALD SUNDAY AUGUST 49, l8e9rKlPLE SHEET

the level lawn. small cemetery IL observable
hidden IN clump Of bushes at this potns ana inc
beauty through the foliage. Following this dlrec.
ton 70 westward Of the house, under huge marble
p orca. the drive brings up before massive doSs
The mansion Is buiIt entirely OF white marble, quar-
ried by Mr. Seaman on the spot. 1t is seventy.eight
main dome reaching height Of ninety feet from the
ground, with ITS top painted dark maroon color.
Ihere are also TWO smaller dOmeS whose arches are
surmounted by the statues or Love and Music re-
spectively. II Is hardly possible to give correct
the world, and one that Is combination OF capaciOus
wings, towering chmneys vaulted d0mes Roman
windows and sharply defined, yet not ungraceful
lines IL denes clasSlncaton according TO the schools
Of art, yet 1t IS inferior 10 OF Them while COM
binaton OF all This plan Of breaking away from
innovation, and one which has been much followed
with triumphant success along the river. From the
northern porch the ground assumes gently declin-
ing surface till 1t touches the drive In continuous
groves OF beautiful eyergreens; from the eastward 1t
descends IN eight terraces. along winch are con-
ward the garden spots and statuary dot tine green,
and to the southwark are the stables and the valley
fine pieces OF statuary, and once within wide and
lofty hail. with the usual furniture is seen TO the
ry, fitted up great expense. Closets whose doors
support long aud Beautifully gded mirrors statues
81 Sco an6 n Syron Mon HSmer Escm
also the mind from the measures OF heroic to
the eternity OF dreary philosophy. Some fine paint
look out into small conservatory In which statues
OF the four Seasons are placed In appropriate posi-
parlors are capacious. with ceilings sixteen feel
empire Or the east f6on Of presidential mansion H
double the size. In these rooms, standing up on
pedestal at the western end II tnat wel-known
piece sssuS made to the order eap or If
Seaman in Europe. In the reception room he
has two busts, OF himself and wife, cut by
Mansini; also q statue OF the "FOwer GIRL"
Ascending the broad oak staircases bronzed figures
OF the four quarters Of the globe stand In alc0ves
under the main dome in this order-Europe. Asia,
the western wing In the second story. and there
can be seen some very valuable works Of art. The
original picture Of the Marrage OF the Virgin" by
LudOvlcO Carracci, eight feet square, and worth
$4,000, hangs against the southern wall. This pic
the touch Of genius can Destraced in the coors the
lights and shades. The original OF The Shepherds
VISIT to the The
finely cOlored painting; the "Berothal OF the Viz
GIN" the .Holy Family" copy from m Raphael ph,s
Orphans" comprise very rare and valuable col
lection In which. II will be observed, no popular
daubs have place. The whole house Is supplied with
holds 900 gallons, and which s lined with lead. The
entire upper story and dOmes are lighted with plate
sons tn that the t pcnre gallery lighted From the
top of Mr.. Seamans tower one OF the finest, most
| be obtained. 1t should be remembered that his
house Is located on one OF the highest points OF the
island and PROBABLY as lofty private dwelling as
Duyvi creek and the rich and fertile acres which 1t
washes; the Harlem river with Its tortuous course
| winding like snake through the tall grass and
thick shrubs section OF the Hudson shining like q
lake of molten silver, and tnged with crimson by
the setting sun; the misty hills rising from the val
lev and Just perceptbIe through the haze the weird
| glens the weather beaten crags ana torpid noun
tains. scene like this Is but portion OF what
l Tho
sublime panoramic view has been gazed upon
BY many eminent europeans, VINO declare
trance to the porch two figures In the dress OF the
| time OF Louis XIV. stand out IN conspicuous pro-
minence and statue OF America caps the main
| house Is connected from room to room with an
alarm telegraph, that should burglars aspire to
| transfer some Of Mr. Seaman's valuabes the dial
would at once indicate their Location and anxeties.
| when doubtless he would treat them with becoming
| ctvllty. The hothouses are very extensive. They
pinery Is fifty feet deep, and Is very fruitful The
graperies now groan under heavy loads OF their de-
licOus fruit They are two III number, separated by
plant house, and have through depth Of 2l2 feet.
with width Of 22,s feet, with lean.to quadrant
| shaped roofs. steam engine Is used to throw the
| water ON the grape vines, which have dollhouse
peaches just In their rear; ana against the wall,
| some rare figs. The whole arrangements OF these
| graperies IL model Of neatness. No finer fruit OF
this kind Ii IN America. Every species abOunds
buras, some punches Of which weigh six pounds the
| white Nice, the Muscat Alexandrlas and the royal
muscadlnes; the Timothy de- o, Burgh the earliest
| FrOltingans The plant house In winter contains
| $500 pots. The whole western slope is now broken
| up for improvements. small lake Is TO be con-
structed; adjoining an Ice house, so that he
make his own Ice. Al new entrance IL being built IN
Standing al tie head OF the Champs Eiysses on line
| with the entrance to the Tueres In Paris. This
massive structure will cost $4,000 and is nearly
completed. II Ia composed entirely OF white marble
and forms fitting entrance to this empire, which
Mr. Seaman has named Mount Olympus.
Cupid, Psyche and other pieces famed for
| their beauty and fidelity OF design. Thus has Mr..
Seaman succeeded IN surrounding himself with the
| delicious fruits and the comforts OF sumptuOus
| and capaCiOus mansion.
| The splendid places which now lie to the north.
| ward are across the Spuyten Duyvil creek, which
| here forms an arm Of the Hudson. To see them IN
landscape 1t Is better to ascend the river In one Of
the numerous boats plying between New York and
| Albany. II the observer prefer he can take the
Riverdale road, across the creek, from Tubby HOOK
and the mansions will be on his left. We will take
the view from the water. About the New York
shore the ground commences with san ly blufY aud
shipping, warehouses and gashoIders goes into an
| easy decline ar the Orphan Asylum, which
stands in commanding position pack from
| by the Hudson River Railroad cars, rush
Ing by at the water edge: by The brick and stone
scows; by low fences and giant rocks, by mounds
and knobs by grottoes and rustic arbOrs. AT Mount
Tom. about Eightyfourtll street. the view takes IN
| the Catholic Orphan Asylum to northward, and moi
far beyond lies the real estate OF Fernando WOod-a
| monument OF his honest administration OF the
| Mayoraty. About Nlnelieth street weeping willows
| overbang deep ravine, dark and villa. From this
point up the river amid thick belts OF forest wales
| shoot into the mountain side, and the great trees
| picture their shadows upon the water. The Ii
| three hours high, ana crowds of business men are
| rushing TO the city by steamboat and cars 10 be
ready for the days work. The river Is active with
| navigation; a steamer goes by with cargo OF zeal
Gus Methodists singing "Rock OF Ages" the various
kinds OF clouds are reflected in the water ano
| houses mansions and even palaces stand out In
bold relief along this bank Of the river
| THIS IL the Kind OF scenery met upon the
! river. on the other shore are the Palisades,
WHAT SHALL BIZ DONE WITH THE PALISADES?
This has been the study OF the greatest engineers
The United States government has had surveys made
OF the ground for different purposes since New
| YOrk's commercial position first engaged the atten