Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-12-23
4 GRAPHIC SKETCH.

From the London world.
Since | iorsook agriculture for pol
tics" said Mr.. parncIl, IL have not
slept six night, at Avondale House"
The chief agitator's country seat is an
unpretending residence situated on the
slope of the Wicklow mountains, with
beautiful view OF forest, river and
dale from the windows Of the living
rooms. 1t has n rather barren and
neglected look; it> whitewashcd cX-
terror harmonizng but i'll with the
tintS Of the mcadow-laud stretching in
semicirclc, bounded hy lofty trees,
in front Of the house. The house was
built by Mr.. ParnelI's grandfather,
and on the lock Of the entrance door
the date 1919 is inscribed. On cross
ing the Threshold the visitor find,
himself in a square hall of moderate
dimensions, along side of which there
runs a gallery overhead, leading to
the sleeping apartments. The most
conspicuous object in the hall j. a bill
lard table, across the slate, of which
no ball has, to Judge from appearances,
ratified for generations. The walls are
decorated with the horns of the an
cient Irish elk, with hunting spears
and other implements OF warfare and
chase. A log fire burn, on a spacious
open hearth. As the visitor stands
examining the place, an aged dame
floats out Of side apartment, and ex.
pressing surprise at the visit, asks
master Charles" if he wishes that
she should provide breakfast. The
master gives the nod, and then re-
quests his guests TO step round the
house with him. Mr.. Parnell is
man of singularly mild and gracious
manners in private life, but ones eyes
are constantly directed inquiringly to
the cold and bloodlcsS face in the en-
deavor to reconcile the frigid exterior
with the courtesy of the lips
The parIor of Avondale house is
neither homcly nor cheerful, and the
atmosphere of the room is that of the
Laureate's forsaken dwelling. One
could fancy that the coverings had
Just been drawn off the furniture at
the expiration of a chancery suit.
The pictures are expreS>ionlcss, and of
no great merit but there is Il richly
enamcled fireplace, the work of an
Italian artist, whose method of cxecu-
ton, Mr.. Parucll thinks, has become
lost art. The marble of this chef
dUuCre is inlaid in cOlorcd earths,
delicately shaded and twisted into fan
tastic iestoons of flowers. A volume
of Carlyle's misccllanies lies on
small table beside the fire, but the
presence of this symptom of life is
accounted for by the fact that one of
Mr.. Parnell's sisters from across the
Atlantic has been residing for some
months under her brothers roof. The
drawing room has been painted and
ornamented by the same Italian artist
spoken of above, the chief feature of
the work being n number of cleverly
wrought medallions containing sea
views. Various blue books are scat
tered about the apartment, having
reference principally to Irish matters,
such rs fisheries and agricultural re-
turns.
The library of Avondale house is a
handsome square room, bookshelves
occupying every side. There is scarce.
ly modern work among these but
there are many old calf.bound editions
of the classics, and n comprehensive
collection of all the English authors
of note from Piers Plowman down.
ward. can ancestor of yours has
been immortalized by DIR. johnson, |
believe" remarked a guest, taking
down volume of the "Lives of the
Poets" "IIe belonged to branch of
the Parnell family, but is not rela-
tive in the direct line" was the reply.
Mr.. Parnell is no great reader. The
only book of recent date, or of appa-
rent recent use, TO be seen were a few
novels and about dozen volumes re-
lating to Ireland, such as the Irish in
America, and some histories of the
country. "When | have any leisure,
| employ my time in working out new
mechanical contrivances," said Mr..
Parnell "and in helping to fit in its
place the water.wheel of my sawmill,
| nearly had this finger cut Off" lifting
up a much scarifed finger. In the
corner of the library is collection of