Smyrna times., 1878-02-20
Mark Twain at Home.

The mansion, with its quaint old English
architecture and its exquisit tiles and
mosaics, the rich ferneries and halftropical
lighthouses, are no more extraneous nc.
cumuations such rs any man of wealth
might create, but gradual and organic
outgrOwth Of the owners mind. which
gives you delightful peep into tho inner
recesses of his character The main build.
ing, as well as the stables, is built oc dark
red brick with dark brown trimmings, in.
tcrSpersed with inlaid devices of scarlet.
painted brick and black Greek patterns in
mosaic. The whole has most novel and
pleasing eifect-nothing gaudy and glarins,
but all arranged with a rare artistic taste
and a strict regard for harmony in color
and outlines. During tho summer the
outer windowslls are draped with hanging
ferns and bright nasturtiums. and the
woodwork of the broad East Indian portico
is half concealed beneath the foliage of
clambering vines. But as winter reigns
supreme during Il good many months of
the year in New England, Mark Twain has
taken care to provide himself with summer
viStas even while nature does not afford
them. His library, the place where the
owner Is most frequently to be found, opens
into miniature green. house. full OF tall
graceful ferns and blooming tropical plants
In the midst of these luXurient cXotics \
fountain is constantly playing; shedding
ITS spray over the smooth white rocks at its
base, and under the glass ceiling bancs =
largo cage in which a pair of California
qualIs OF brilliant plumage spend brief
season OF happy captivity. Mark Twain
cannot endure to see any bird or hoost
which nature intended for freedom. i'm.
prsoncd within the narrow bars of "A cage.
and he bought these quails last winter from
boy, meaning to set them at liberty i'm a
ahelGhOorlnEioreotsa as soon as spring should
arrive. Throughout his house Mark Twain
has INDUCED literally his tase for wood
tlnts and quaint carvings. Each of the
doors IN the library is surmounted with
carved chcrubs and other biblical and
mythical figures, Spoils from some European
pilgrimage. In his study on the second
Hoor he revels in sphinxcs and crifins.
whose reclining bodies and capacious
wings fashion themselves into luxurious
lounges, easy. chairs and sofas. The mantel.
piece, with all its magnificent superstruc.
ture, had once adorned an old English or
Scottish country.seat and Mark Twain was
fortunate enough to pick it up during one
of his many sojourns in England. Amid
these surroundings Mark Twain spends the
time between breakfast and dinner. com.
posing with much serious reflection. the
sketches, novels and dramas which have
shaken the American public with laughter.
After dinner the chances are that YOU will
find him TRANQUILITY smoking a cigar before
the fire in the library, and chatting
lelsurely with some friend, who addresses
him plainly as Mark" as his nom de
plume somehow persists in clinging to him
both in his private and public relations.
When Mark Twain is not writing or max
ing speaches he smokes, and if he feels anv
further need of recreation he takes it in
playing billiards In the third story of his
house there is an elegantly appointed bill
liardroom, where he often spends an even.
ing with three or four masculine friends
Though he keeps handsome horses, hous
lnn them in n suDprb stoL1o ond ,,,o,, T.,
seen daily driving through the city with Il
fine pair of bays, he is not much of "A con.
noisseur ofhorsefesh ora sportsman London
WORTH