Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-08-05

The last number of the New England Historic
Register contains the following entertaining de-
scrption of the home of the cherished poet,
Longfellow, at Cambridge, Mass;
"0n the other side of the road from Mr.
Batchelder's is the well known mansion of Mr..
Longfellow, known as the Crage House, and
also General Washington's headquarters. 1t
was erected in 1853 by Colonel John Yassall,
grandson of Leonard, and son Of that John who
sold to his brother Henry the house just de-
scribed 1t may safely be said that no dwelling
in New England of its date remains more
spacious or elegant than this. 1t stands back
one hundred and fifty feet from the road, and is
surrounded by large open spaces on either side,
that to the north being of several acres in ex-
tent, The shade trees are Gins of the noblest,
and there are other sorts, including fruit trees
and ornamental shrubs in great variety. The
front, stately, of graceful proportions and har-
monious decoration, is pleasure to behold. On
either side run broad and well sheltered piazzas,
the front including them being over eighty feet.
The door is massive, and its ponderous fasten-
ings and brasses the same as when Washington
made it his home in the memorable winter OF
u.s. The hall, twelve feet in BREADTH contains
the broad, square, staircase, with landings, TO
which poetic genius has given special associa-
ton to the father of his country.
'The drawing reOm is of great height for the
period, some twenty feet in either dimension,
wainscotted in panels deliberately carved, the
mantel with Corinthian pilasters on either side.
In it hangs a fine painting, by COpley, OF the
second Sir William Pepperell and his sister as
children. Across the entry from this apartment
is the study, bright, sunny room, and behind
1t the library of noble proportions, thirty feet in
length, with columns diversifyng the longer
side opposite the windows. Between this and
the dining room, which is nearly as handsome
an apartment, rises another principal staircase,
as broad and as much decorated as that in the
front hall. Beneath. the cellar walls are OF spe-
cal stability, a portion of them in handsome
brick-work, which seem Of date more recent
than the rest
"Colonel Vassall having left it, the house for
nine months that the siege of Boston lasted was
the abode of Washington. From it were adj
dressed those admirable letters which organized
rebellion into successful revolution. There
gathered his generals in council; there came to
confer with him the patriotic leaders belonging
to the legislative body at Watertown, and with
in its spacious apartments occurred many an in
teresting incident which his biographers have
worthily narrated. After the war the property
was sold 10 Nathaniel Tracy, of Newburyport,
who conveyed it to Thomas Russell in 1856, and
in 1898 it finally passed to Andrew Craigie, who
long awelt there, and in whose time 1t consisted
of nearly two hundred acres. Mr.. Craigie mar
ried the daughter of the Rev. BQzalesl Shaw, H
| o. 1862, settled at Nantucket, near relative Of
| the late chief justice He possessed a handsome
estate, ana was fond OF display. he purchased
| the handsome equpage and four horses which
had been the property of the duke of Kent wheI
| in Boston, and was exclusive enough in hi,
habits TO provoke the i'll will of his neigfbors
when he built an ice cellar with a summer
house over II, near the site Of the present observ
atory, and extensive green-hoQses, they prog
nosticated no good could come 10 one who flew
in the face of providence, splitting tue summe
with his ice and the winter with his flowers. Ii
was liberal in his hospitality, and his widow
who long made the house her home after hi
death, maintained its character. 1t was at di
ferent times the residence Of Edward Everett
Jared Sparks and of Joseph Worcester, the di
tinguished photographer, but for the last qua
ter Of a century it has been the abode OF or
who, renowned as he is in letters, has also wo
laures to be cherished in the afectionate regar
of his countrymen. Under its roof have bee
composed most Of those exquisite production
} Of his genius which have made him famous oy'
the world, and which in all time must infest b
! abode with associations not likely TO fade"