Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-11-07
Ole Bulls Home.

Ole Bulls Home.
Ole Bull having made over his hered-
itsry possessions to his eldest son BY
his first marriage, bought several years
ago the beautiful little island of Lyso,
not far from Bergen, Norway, This
fragment OF land 10 one OF natures min.
iature masterpieces; Q silver strip Of
land winds its way through banks Gov
cred with . luxurious growth Of foliage;
. tiny lake affords opportunity for
bathing and sailing in . fairy-like
yacht. Shady drives and rambling
walks have been cut through different
portions of the land. and are orna-
mented at intervals by beautiful fig
ures in marble, rustic arbors and
graceful fountains, in the basins of
which play gold and silver fish. As .
crown to this fair crestion of art and
nature is rugged mountain, that gives
relief to the landscape and furnishes Q
grand background for the residence il
self, which is q fan,as tic in it. design
as the maestro in his fantasies. IL
most striking feature is v large dome,
surrounded by numerous turrets, 70
plete with the ornate carving that the
Norwegians delight in, and through
which windows are cut, giving grand
views Of the surrounding country. The
interior Of the house 10 noticeable for
the absence Of all frippery. and
what are commonly called kuick-
knacks. The apartments are large and
we'll lit, no carpets cover the polished
floors nor hangings disfgure the clever
handiwork of the artisan in wood.
Close to the conservatory, which is
kept in luxurious bloom, is the music
room. or rather hall, majestic in its
proportions for private house, and
built in accordance with the most up.
proved acoustic principles. Though
rich in its appointments, the salon 10
furnished with simplicity almost &C.
we're, until one turns to the musical in
struments, which embrace the careful
collection OF years. There are violins
Of every sort and make, from the favor
ite Cremona, with its diamond studded
bow, which the violinist still uses, to
the latest attempt at its reproduction
by some would-be Stradivarius. Among
them ere several, the strings Of which
have been silent since the souls that
drew from them silvery sounds
have lain in repose. OF pianos there
are no less than six, two of which were
manufactured after Ole Bulls own
models and with sounding boards con-
structed by his celebrated countryman,
John Ericsson. Another of note was
made for Mrs. Bull, who is q fine plan.
ist. by Chickering Il Co. This is .
grand, with exquisitely inlaid wood
work, and along the sides are inserted
at regular intervals enamelled medal
lions of Beethoven, Mozart, Handel,
Wagner, Rosini, Mendelssohn and
Chopin. Guitars, banjos and q parlor
organ are also to be seen, the pictures
in the house, as we'll as the marbles
and bronzes, have been gathered with
care and good taste; the huge fire.
places are dsnked on either side BY
superb mirrors, the frames of which
are made Of birch wood, wrought into
q mass of leaves, flowers and birds BY
the jack-knives of the peasants. Mr..
and Mrs. Bull care little for general
society, but delight to gather about
them congenial friends, with whom
they improvise delightful parlor con-
certs for their own entertainment. Miss
Emma Thursby was one Of their guests
last month"; y Home Journal.