Connecticut western news., 1876-06-16
A NEW YORK ESTATE.

The OHfoAt VhOu9an0-Acf0 Farm that Ben Halladay Fenced In in Westchesrer Coupty--An Interesting Description.
 In 1868 Ben Halladay, the well known Western mail contractor, bought an immense farm iii Westchester county, N. r., and at once begun the arrange ment of country house that should be similar in plan and adornment to the great properties of English noblemen. He bought, says Sun correspondent, at first only 8 few hundred acres, but gradually extending his domain from time to time, he at length brought into his possession nearly 1000 acres of the best farming lands of New York State. He presented the whole territory to his wife, and she took entire charge of the laying out and adornmento of the grounds. The construction of suitable dwelling house was at once commenced. On a swelling knoll about four miles from the village of White Plains the foundations of the house were laid, the site being about @ quarter of mile from the turn pike that winds from White Plains to Harrison. The rock of which the house is constructed is a blue granite, and it was quarried from the farm. The building is constructed in peculiar style, being union of English and Ger man architecture. Outside it is entirely completed, but inside the rooms are un- finished and the walls have simply 8 covering of lath and plaster. They are bare of furniture and carpets, and have moldly, abandoned look. The walls are three stories in height, and on the western side is tall stone tower, capped by beautiful slate roof. Inside the building everything has drear and desolate look, In the basement, which is moliy and drear, arc many rooms, cellars, laundries, wine rooms, furnaces, and other apartments in the second story is long, unfinished dining room that would seat at least fifty persons, and in addition there are suites of rooms whose object may only be guessed. From the first story bare flight of pine stairs, broad enough for the ascent of a column of soldiers, leads up to the ! second story. In this story are almost l numberless rooms that may be used for almost any purpose. Some are square, some circular, and all are provided with every modern appliance. The rooms are
 finished with different kinds of wood, and while in one apartment there may be contrast of oak and American wal nut, in another is chestnut and tropic | wooded emb mbellishment.
 From the highest window of the granite tower there is a glorious view. For miles and miles in every direction roll the green, glossy knolls and valleys of land that is perfect in symmetry and beauty. To the north and west in the misty horizon are the Palisades and sleepy villages of the Hudson, to the south is velvet spread of hills and dales, and on the southeast is the blue water of the sound. To fill up the pic ture are brooks, woodlands, hillocks, | green meadows, and the tall church | spires and white walled houses of coun- try villages.
 l Around the fertile acres of the Ophir Farm, as the estate of MT. Halladay is 1 called, and is named on the bars of the great iron entrance gates, runs tall granite wall capped with smooth cut stone. This wall was built by special contract, and it cost $40 a rod. It in- closes the entire farm, and within it's circuit are 8 multitude of farmhouses and rural cottages, in which dwell many tenants of the estate. There are two entrances to the Ophir Farm; one is at the southeast and the other is at the north, and each has a massive stone gatehouse and solid graveled drives.
 Just east of the stone dwelling, in 8 l grassy valley near the turnpike, stands 8 small Gothic edifce of granite, in
 which Mrs. Halladay, who was devout Catholic, vigorously performed the du- ties of her faith. A long. winding,
 white graveled lane leads from the chateau down a sloping hill to the en- trance of the church. A few granite steps lead up to landing under heavy stoned porch, on the side of which are
 Biblical statues in Parian marble. In side the chapel are dozen or more vel vet clad seats that stand before a little altar, on which are golden candlesticks, figures of the crucifMon, and waxen candles. Many bronze statues of saints line the altar, and beautiful painting of the Immaculate Conception is hung at the rear of the altar. At the north and outside of the chapel is the tomb of the family, in which are buried Mrs. Halla- day and her children. On one side of the church is the room, separated by hardwood blinds, in which the choir sang their Catholic songs. West from the stone mansion, in smooth, curving valley, are the farmhouses, the cattle yards, the breeding stables, and many offices that are used for tie business of ! the farm.
 Beyond the farmhouses to the west is probably the most magnificent apple orchard in eastern New York. It covers scores of acres, and as the trees are all full grown, they shed perpetual sum- mer shade over the ground. The crops of this orchard were in years past as wonderful as the stories of the "Arabian l Nights. It is said that in past seasons