Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-23

1
! ing back from the main hall, we enter 1
vast area, whose ceiling ia supported on a
line Of Corinthian columns. This forms thG
floor of the diniDg-room, which is immedi
ately overhead.
The gre ter portion Of the area which
we are now about describing is covered
with billiard tables, the property Of Messr;
Cauvin & Badoux. The bar is in thii
room, and behind q all the convenience:
80 niece ssary for the weary traveller. In
the corner of this room and the YES tibule
our young friends Collier & Goodwin have
fitted up an elegant cabinet for books and
stationery, papers and periodicals, and
cases for cigars. An elegant case manu-.
featured by Weakley & Warren, stands
conspicuous in this retreat, and is greatly
admired by all.
down BELOW.
Let US 60 down below into the crypt or
basement. Here there are numerous
apartments, storerooms, wine cellars, coal
cellars, servants rooms, etc, ETC., immense
water tanks, with the steam engine and
boilers, which serve torun the vast machin.
cry of the establishment, and also furnish
heat for the building. The laundry and
drying rooms are all that modern skill and
inventive genius can make them. The
engine and machinery were furnished by
Morris, Tasker & Co., of Philadelphia
The bake house is said to be the most
complete that belongs to any hotel in the
United States.
UP THE BACK STAIRWAY.
We come to the kitchen, and here We are
again astonished at the progress which has
been made by the inventive genius Of man
20 feed his fellow-man. Seven hundred
guests can be fed from this kitchen. But
we find it impossible to describe at length
our wanderings through this labyrith Of
machinery for baking, and cooking, and
washing, and drying, and ironing, etc, etc.
Suffice it to say that the Maxwell House
has not Its superior in America in all the
machinery which is requisite in an i'm
mense hotel.
But let us return to the vestibule and
ascend the grand stairway. At the top We
reach the grand promenade and behold
more closely the ceiling of the vestibule
deeply panelled and richly frescoed.
Here we have at glance an idea Of east
ern splendor, European art and American
usefulness combined. We are now on
THE FIRST FLOOR
OF the hotel. Stopping to gaze for mo-
ment on the busy scene below, then utter
ing calculations of admiration at the beau
ty of the frescoing or looking back upon
the grandeur of the staircase, up which we
have come. We slowly move along
the softly carpeted floor, rass the
first corridor, and enter just be-
yond the genlleman's parlor. Here the
lords of creation will fud themselves
provided for, in princely style. We stop
TO try the comfort of the chairs and the
excellence of the mirrors, admire the cur
tains and lambricans, press the rich carpet
ing, praise the frescoing, and then pass
the door which leads to the bedroom in
tended for honored guests. In all IFS
furniture it is all that royalty could desire.
THE MIRRORS.
Just here it is appropriate to mention in
a complimentary way the mirrors in the
different parlors, bridal chambers and re-
ception rooms. In the ladies parlor, there
are three gilt piers, with connecting cor
nice, octagon in shape, the cornices richly
embellished with shell work and attractive
medallions, the centre of which are
adorned with gilt crowns, the glass of
French plate, and in size l2O by 40 inches.
Ia the other apartments the same style is
carried out, and here and there rich mantle
mirrors relieve the piers. All this work
was manufactured in this city by w. Free
man & Co., and put up by L. r. Freeman.
We do not exaggerate when we say that
more handsomely finished mirrors are Eot
to be found in the country, and their gen.
eral finish and style reflect the greatest
credit upon home skill and labor.
THE LADIES.
But let US retrace our steps, and pass
around the grand promenade until We
reach the ladies' parlor. We have gazed,
and wondered, and admired before 4; now
We are, indeed, lost in admiration. After
observing in silence for awhile the tout
ensemble, we begin to particularize. The
mirrors, curtains, chairs, and, indeed, all
the furniture is as elegant as it can be
made. The frescoing Of the wall, like
watered silk, the ceilings full of artistic
fancy, the exquisite lace work over the
chandeliers, are triumphs of the artists
BRUSH which we>can not too highly praise.
The three apartments separated by col
umns, leaving large openings, is a judi-
cious arrangement, permitting several dis
tinct parties to form coteries without in
terrupting each other. The windows are
draped in richly wrought lace with well
fashioned and multieolored satin damssk;
richly carved and gilded cOrnice of the
Louis Quatorzs style; the curtains of the
richest material and handsomest pattern;
the ottomans and sociablee; the mirrors
placed 10 reflect the beauty they are in
tended to receive; the fine piano from Nc
Clure's temple of music, the rich tones OF
which, under the touch of Tennessee's fair
daughters, will doubtless charm many
passing Visitor-but we can linger mo
longer in beauty's bower. We pass alon G
the broad corridor toward the rear Of the
building. We soon come to the wide stair
case ascending from the ladies entrance.on
Church street. We go dowp; behold for
moment its beautiful proportions, satisfy
ourselves that there is nothing Of the kind
equal to it in any hotel in the United
States and return again to the corridor on
the first floor. We enter chamber which,
if not the home Of Love, must certainly
have been fitted up under Cupid's especial
surveillance, What carpets! what beds,
bedding, bedsteads, sofas, hangiDgs, laces
and, On We Gods, what looking glass es! We
could but wish that we were timid fawn
to gaze in silent admiration at our own
beauty (?) This we are informed is the
blessed and blissful apartment provided fol
the reception of our gallant youths and
their blushing brides. There are two o.
these exquisitely appointed apartments
supplied with commodious dressing and
bath rooms. a.
EN- PEASANT.
Before proceeding further, mine host
suggests that we diverge to the right. w
do so and enter the great sale manager Of
| eating room. Before entering into It's va
| rious details suspicious looking indiyid
nal suggests "ice water" This is don,
politely and we take the,hint. While he i
preparing the ice water mine host disap
peared bat soon returned with two suspiC
ious looking bottles, S. o. p. and oil
Bourbon. We weary travellers rested an
smiled.
Just here we stop to say word of
THE MANAGEMENT.
The hotel is under the management
Messrs NJ Kean & Co., for more tina
twenty-five years past the proprietors I
the Louisville hotel, Louisville, X.
Their experience, and success in tn
keeping of that hotel, is sure guarant
that the management of the Maxwe
House, will equal it's magnifcence, M
Kean. the senior of the firm hes alb
assisted in the supurb fitting up, furnish
ing and completion of the hotel. Und
his courteous guidance, we have pass
through the different departments, null
} tudiuous and spacious halls, corridor
saloons and dormitories.
THE DINING ROOM.
The d;nino hall ia tho IarOe5t room