The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-31
Shard Villa and its Surroundings

parture OF each mail train
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Shard Villa and its Surroundings
Editor Rutland Globe Much as VIC
admire those old colonial mansions, which
are scattered here and there throughout
New England; still with what pleasure and
admiration do we gaze upon the arcbitec-
ture of modern times OF these modern
mansions none are more deserving q de-
scription than Shard Villa the residence Of
Hon. Columbus Smith IN Salisbury Vt.
1t is in the beautiful valley Of the Otter
Creek, where we first SEQ the sun rising
over the tops of the Green mountains and
where at night it sinks behind the blue
crested Adirondacks, that the massive walls
of Shard Villa were erected as a lasting
monument to that family of Smiths, by
one Of their last representatives who, after
being wanderer in foreign lands for many
years, has chosen this spot where more
than one hundred years before his ancestors
built their rude log cabin, to pass the re-
mainder Of his days in quiet and happiness
surrounded by all the pleasures and CON-
forts Of true American home. Here let
us pause and examine more infinitely this
elifice and the works of ait with which II
is filled. we ride along under the shadow
of the Green mountains and by the side of
the winding creek until we reach the en-
trance gate, then passing up the avenue we
pause before Shard Villa. 1t is a square
house built of lime stone, one of the many
resources of the Green mountains, but the
boldness il relieved by French windows,
bale 1nies, tay windows, and in front the
massive tower rises many feet above the
surroundings while 10 the rear there is an
other tower of much inferior height. We
are ushered within its walls into the spa
cious hall which is finished in solid oak
with inlad floor like the Swiss houses.
We pass into the library, which is finished
in cherry and black walnut, and the floors
very handsomely inlaid, and as the heavy
mats were removed for summer we cav
the entire design. The large bay window
is Ourmounted by an arch, the carving and
workmanship of which is simply wonder
full. On each side of this arch are inches
and within these stand beautiful vases
carved IN alabaster, and brought fronsEu-
rope somesyears since by Mr.. Smith.
The walls of this room are hung with
many rare old paintings. Among the best
- hI;ltoY, ku Van1pkn Gnp
Washington by West, and Bryant by Read.
besides many others by less celebrated ar
lists. From here we pass through the
slidings down into the dining room Mt
room of the house, and where every piece
Of wood was put in its place under the di-
rect supervision of the owner. This flow.
er is also inlad the design converging in
circle of black walnut and within this
circle d deer in reclining posture is in.
laid.
The paintings are all fresco pictures by
Mr. Read of Rutland. One of them is {
highland scene whose beauties Sir Walter
Scott's pen alone can portray, another {
fruit piece copied from one of Prang'
chromo's and another one OF the beautiful
mountain scenes in Vermont, besides game
and fish. Over the inches at either eide
of the hay window autumn leaves are clus
terng, some are bright while others ere il
the 'sere and yellow leaf" just ready t.
fall Involultsrily you reach forth to plucl
it ere it reaches the floor when secont
view displays the cunning hand Of no am
ateur artist, but alas that hand is destined
10 be cut down before il reaches the zenill
of its fame. Reluctantly we leave thi
beautiful room, but lime ard fear for on
hosts patience urges US on. Re-en,erinl
the ball. passing inches with bronze statue
of Gen. and Lady Washington, we ente
the parlor on the opposite side Of the honse
Here our feet sinks within the rich carpete
This room is finished in rose wood an
black walnut. The heavy mouldings an
woodwork are almost miracle of Tn
nineteenth century. Within bay win
dow stands solid mantle table with leaves
flowers, and birds inlaid on the top, Gu
Iiosity well worth many miles of travel t
see. Upon the walk hang many paintings
one, "Anthony and Cleopatra" by Gel
ard Lareste, is more than two hundre
years old, two others one "The Trump
of David' and the other ''Tbe eight INT
Egypt" give evidence of being very old, bu
neither the artist or the date ia known
Besides these there are number of lanC
scares, etc. Eagerly accepting an invilf
ton to $50 the entire house, We mount tn
broad stairs, and next visit the cabinet
Here are curiosties from all parts of tn
world relics from battles and from RUNE
cities, coin, swords arrows, pewter use
by our great great grand parents and flask
taken from the ruins of Peru hundreds O
years old and when taken filled with W Il
one spoonful of which was only necessar
to completely intoxcate the natives. TIL
rooms on the second floor are each finshe
and furnished alike there is one room {
black walnut, another of mahogany, an
another OF pin maple besides various other
There are thirty-six different kinds of WOO
and no two rooms are finished alike. Or
very handsome feature is tho marbleize
slate of which the mantles are made an
each mantle corresponds with the finish {
the room. There is nothing to mar Il
harmony of the rooms everything ia blei
ded giving an air of perfect taste. We pa
up into the third story, crossing the ha
where many an hour has quickly spe
awaV and bepin 10 ascend the stairs Leaf