Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-27
LETTER FROM BOSTON.
BosToN, Sept. q, 1871.

BosToN, Sept "a, 1917.
TO the Editor Of the Eennebec Journal.
Following closely upon the patl lotto movement
of the 18th, came the Governors Fete at Wellesley
projected by Mr.. Baker. of Grover and Baker
fame, the occasion being the laying of the corner
stone Of the Massachusetts Institute Of Cookery.
The Governors of the States and other guests
amounting in all to about six hundred, were in
vited Tue Ridge ill Farm owned by Mr.. Bak-
err, contains two hundred acres OF land and is very
pleasantly located. bright little stream may be
seen sparkling here and there, and the distant
hills help make some fine effects. The buildings
numerous but not especially attractive or sub
stantial looking. The dwelling house is very un-
preentious, various other buildings on the estate
being much more SNOWY. The first place we in
vesgated was the 80 called tower. which is really
an ordinary looking house surmounted by this
tower, the roof having pictures of flying horses
painted upon it. The approach is guarded by
fierce Looking dogs, but you find upon close in
spection that they will neither bark nor bite and
the horses heads that are projecting from the
stall windows, look rather wocdeny upon near
view. The inside is quite a museum. On the
lower floor are various devices for amusement,
and there is of course, the usual assemblage of
"antiqucs and hornbles is hideous little
Chinese images, ancient armors messing grlnnipg
wax decentralization, etcetcra. as A. Ward
might have said. There is a well spread table of
meats, fruits and ices. but alas they are way
"only that and nothing more" There is the bed
stead that Lafayette slept on, when he visited
Gov. Eustis Of Roxbury Mass, and the carriage
ba in In III re
twelve windows of tinted glass, and the effect, on
looking through some of Them is iudescribably
lovely. Through one the sky and earth looked
as though they were lit up by real Indian sum
mer glow; another, as though everything WAS
robed in the most vivid June green; third made
the sky gorgeous in glowing sunset hues, and an
other gray and mournful, as in the dreariest No
vember day. Not far from the tower, is the
Chapel, coy little place surrounded BY trees
and flowers; and in this part of the garden and
grove, are found animals both wild and tame, as
well as wood nymphs and stuffed animals. Two
young bears were amusing the spectators by
standing on their hind feet.
The house garden is a marvel Of mosaic work,
and quite distance beyond is the road leading
to the grotto and the den of three immense black
utdIS' Ou tuc way ~ tnc siotto 1Ou pass iouT
granite pillars surmounted by broken capitals
while several Of these capitals are lying on the
ground, giving the whole the appearance of some
old time ruin. The prospect from this point is
quite delightful There is a lovely green lawn,
water, trees and marble boys and girls riding on
goats, all suggestive of a midsummer nights
revel. Entering the grotto, you find a strange
minglng of the wierd and grotesque. 1t extends
under ground half mile perhaps. Winslow and
Boss Tweed are held in durance vile here, and
here, also, the gigantic plaster proportions of Mrs
Cardiff find rest The stones Of which the walls
are composed, are hewed into all sorts Of funny
shapes and faces. One egress from the grotto is
into the bears den, q most cheerful outlook.
Farther on, you ascend few steps and enter a
long, dark passage, where only the fantest glim
mer of lights can be seen at the farther end: ar
rived at this, you enter cavern where the water
is drip, drip, dripping into dark basins, while
grim columns Of granite rise up to the roof. We
followed the winding path up and up, the colored
lights making strange effect in the dim place.
until we arrived once more in the open air and
sunshine.
Besides this farm, there is the Wellesley Col |
lege for girls, and the Convslescent's Home, so
that it is really worth persons time to make the
short journey to Wellesley, which is on the Bos-
ton and Albany road. M.P.T.