Middletown transcript., 1881-10-21
sUNNYSIDE AND SLEEPY
HOLLOW.

N The home of Washington Irving anC
ID his grave in Sleepy Hollw Cemeter,
2 are shrines to which, in summer sea
N son, pilgrimages are made by the resi-
It dents and transient visitors of the
o towns on the Hudson river. The
Y peaked-roof cement house, with its
! gothic windows and wide, old-fashioned,
: green painted door, is nearly covered
g with a drapery Of Kenilworth ivy,
e Virginia creeper, and blooming trum-
b pet vine that cling firmly to the part
: crumbling structure as if determined
f not to let it even fall to pieces. Snow
drop bushes are white with balls at one
side of the house althea shrubs are
3 full of flowers, and with the woodbine,
: which is just now crimsoning, the
> quaint home of Washington Irving
appears embOwered in blossoms and rich
foliage. Iron settees are placed in the
{ neat porch, on the stone surmounting
which are the dates 1656-1835. The
view of the river from these seats is
somewhat interrupted by the grove of
noble trees that line the bank, but from
the side piazza the outlook on the
Hudson at its widest point is truly
magnificent, and it is not difficulty to
fancy how the famous author drew in
spiration from the panorama with
which to invest the mountains and
streams of this locality with never
dying interest. All the windows of
Sunnyside are curtained with Swiss
muslin the little drawing room is a
picture of old times, but is fresh and
inviting. 1t is covered with mating,
and the furniture is aproned with Gre
tonne. On the small pure white
marble mantel piece stands clock and
a few ornaments. A harpsichord oc-
cupies small space at one side of the
chimney. There are two choice en-
cravings of scriptural scenes and a
portrait of Irving hanging on the
walls A bust of Sir Walter Scott and |
few books compose the simple ap-
pointments of his department. Leav-
ing the grounds of Sunnyside, pictur-
esque bridge, hedged with lilac bushes,
is crossed. This bridge is associated
with the ''headless horseman. From
there is winding lane, dark with over
hanging trees and tangled foliage. On
one side of this path is the estate of J.
G. Fargo, on the other are the beauti-
full grounds of E. S. Jaffray, where may
be seen parterre of handsome plants j
tall snowballs and hedge of saliva {
aflame with its bright tassels- which &
make the lawn conspicuous. There is {
the impression of the comfort of quiet t
English home in the plain frame dwell a
ing with its wide piazzas. An artificial a
lake at one side is surrounded by /
stone footpath and spanned by a small S
bridge. The stone fences which inter t
sect the place are bound with vines. h
and the growth of trees and shrubs v
looks natural and undisturbed, and as +
if there was no effort at Landscape v
effects besides those Dame Nature has T
so freely bestowed upon this locality. d
The mansion of J. S. McVickar and n
Howard Jaffray are near at hanI as the fl
main road is reached. The residence n
that once belonged to Bierstadt looms W
up majestically from the hills above, n
The Graves estate, completely hidden f.
from view by its wealth of trees. is e,
always remarkable from its towering ce
observatory. William E. Dodge's 81
country home is delightfully."- situated, is
rs is the estate of John T. Terry, which #
S surrounded by fine stone fence. cl
Here the grounds are laid out in orch n,
Irds and ornamental growth, and an
venue of oak trees leads to the stone
house before which is spread a lovely B
avn; the evergreens are especially w
'eautiful and Of great symmetry. The B
lowers show considerable taste of the lii
occupants and collie dog who keeps so
'uard on the piazza is an excellent DC
pecimen of his kind. Adjoining is the or
esidence of Jay Gould, where there is nj
he best landscaping indicated that is iii
n any of the Hudson river estates. 1o,
he arrangement of trees, which are de
very one selected for beauty, is cred ba
able. The shrubs and Towering an
lants are most tastefully set out, all m;
the effects being permanent and da
'ithout any of the geometrical line of nj,
ne bending systematic annual mud hi
lie that defaces, and tires the eye on so bill
lany OF our private pleasure grounds. he
he stone lodge at the entrance has its if
isteria vine, the hedges are of great do
eauty, and the vines of apple-tree are ia,
lriosities to those who have never off
'en the fruit trained in this way. bu
here is activity in the place set apart wa
II the lighthouses. New ones of ex- bo,
mt and costliness are being completed bo,
I'd will soon be stocked with the best wb
'ecimen plants from all parts of the do
Orld. The asphalt paths leading to nri
e house, which has a fine position Ia
gh above the river, give an appear wa
ice of beautiful neatness to the sur He
undings of this dwelling. The on
emery of Tarrytown with its hills and an,
lleys, all made lovely by the inge- did
lity and wealth of those who own the bar
nd, is in no spot more charming than plai
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where on
ere is a broad view of the country neil
at cannot easily be surpassed in mag in t
icence. The entrance to the grave de
I'd is near small stone church, bear ODE
: the date of 1899 on its front. and off
y tne nanles Oh Frederick Phillips loaf
u ms WlIe hatherlne Van Court ingl
ldt ,, On tho hYovv of n h;II :: -