The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-27
Miscellaneous.
THE LONG NUN.
FROM AN OLD MAGAZINE.

opposite the pretty villas that surround the
charming village of Twickenham, when all
is summer and sunshine may be observed q
high range Of large thick trees, very unlike
all those of quicker growth which flourish
in the vicinity If you walk along these
fields for little distance till you reach an
avenue stretching down to the river you will
become aware Of the existence of large
ancient mansion of majestic architecture,
having high iron gates and broad, open
terrace, ornamented at intervals with vases
of elegant shapes, and long walls decorated
with sculptured busts. A parterre with n
silent foundation in the centre is before the
windows, and roses blush around
TIE terrace first observed runs around two
sides of the building. Extensive lawns, here
and there adorned with clumps Of flowers,
reach on to a grove of Scotch frs, whose
soemli heads nod in the breeze.
Ahighwall incloses this part ofthe grounds
which the stranger follows, expecting to
come to the grand entraHce of so distin-
guished looking mansion, but he finds
none The great ornamental iron gates are
closed, and appear to have been so for CEN
tures, for the high grass and waving weeds
seem never to have been disturbed there.
Still following the wall, overshadowed by
gigantic trees, you come at last to plain
looking gateway, where a rude bell hangs
from height you observe small door cut
in larger, which yields at once to your
presence and the stable yard to this myster-
ious house is entered.
Out-buildings fallen to decay and neglect
ed serve little to adorn this spot. The do
mestics' apartments appear to be on this
side; and a small, low, open door invites you
to enter dark, narrow passage, which, after
treading and passing through a dreary, low
windowed room, you push open a door and
stand in a large square hail. cheerful and
pleasant and surrounded with full length
portraits of women as lovely as the art of
the painter could make them.
Numerous chambers branch from the
landing places strange and antique are they
all. Here runs along a gallery of oaken
panels, and walls covered with portraits, with
ranges of heavily guided and richly covered
chairs and carved and lecquered cabinets
the inlad floor is covered with alternate
Persian and Turkish carpets. This gallery
conducts to a room evidently furnished sew
eral centuries ago, whose rich amber satin
hangings are incrusted with coral patterns
or others, where gaunt forms ride on high
chargers, around the walls and ladies with
long trains sweep disdainfully by in the
tapestricd scene. Heavy, wide arm-chairs,
with faded satin and velvet cushions, open
their capacious arms on all sides, and ivory
cabinets, carved az if by fairies, expand to
exhibit the treasures of their secret recessCs
to the curious. From these open fresh
chambers, more antique still, where the
tattered canopy hanging in strips from the
the tall cane and lower crutch-stick, tell OF
some ancient dame Of great importance who
once occupied place in the mansion.
Thence you proceed to dim bedroom, where
| in niche rises a crimson velvet couch,
covered with rich but faded coverlet The
chimney piece is covered with grotesque
shapes in china, and every piece of furni.
ture speaks of times and fashions long gone
| by.
But there are more rooms, strange and
awful looking. Such are two filled with
tapestry and silver ornaments, where a dais
once divided portion from the further end
The smaller of these has a recess at one ex.
tremity opposite the deep window. Close tC
this recess secret door can be opened, ,whicl
leads to private staircase through a small
dark, dismal closet lighted only when the
door is open. A flight goes upward and an
other downwards and so narrow is the pas
sage that care must be taken that you do no
fall down the ladder. This suite of room,
leads across this passage to another, once q
splendid bed room, with boudoir attached
The bed is of yellow satin, embroidered witt
silver, and at its foot, against the wall, il
placed in slanting direction a very larg,
mirror in frame of different cclored wood
inlaid in the most delicate patterns with jas
mine wreaths and leaves of all kinds.
table of the same beautiful workmanship /
beneath it but from its position the who'll
person is reflected in the clear face of tn
mirror, as well as all the contents of tn
room. The dressing.room is very rich
several windows open from it and it is NOR
cheerful than most of its fellows, yet it has
like them, no lively or pleasant reputation
for the whole of this range is said to b
haunted, and no one would be prudent t
choose this part of the mansion as a
abode.
In one of the rooms filled with choic
miniatures by ancient masters, among
large collection of singular and beautift
pictures are two which riyet the attentio
Aand create a painful interest, One is III