National Republican., 1882-10-30
THE MsroNEn MANSION.
A Noted House or Fourteenth ana Doun-
dairy Streets.


To the Editor OF The REPUBLICAN.
on the summit Of ncblo hill above the city,
and overlooking its surroundings for miles, stands
the edl1co known as the Stone Mansion. En-
titled to more notice, perhaps than any house
in the vicinity of Washington, 1t has received
less than many because Of having belonged to
wealthy and exclusive family, who cared less for
show aud more for real, quiet, elegant comfort.
Erected by a muniflcent hand, OH bread and
comprehensive scale, tho center Of tract OF l2S
acres, 1t has been the quiet home of the family
whose name Is bears since 1872. in 1910 Mr. stone
purchased the land, and two years later built this
rural home. The family occupied IL uninlerrupt.
edly until 1853, when they removed to their city
house on street. Early in 1861 the owner ten
who Who accepted S S it. @ and Il was occupied by the
officers OF the Seventh New York Regiment. Part,
however,
WAS USED AS HOSPITAL.
This use of the building continued until 1865,
when II was turned over to the owner, but ho
never took up bis residence IN i again except ns
grounds could not have been less than $4,000
and in all probability was much over that. Money
consideration. Enter where you may, BY walk or
drive ycu find yourself under an emerald arch OF
towering trees; circular road sweeps around the
sward and touches the front OF the house at the
center. This lawn is fffnged with magnificent
box, now grown 10 trees. only from the front eau
tho full view be obtained, and looking from the
windows The panorama of The city under the hill,
aud the river and Arlington heights beyond Is Que
And Interest est IhS 6piidnS is & i9TGk cT
substantial, The windows large, the ceilings nigh,
the halls wide. and the rooms spacious. a broad
siGiicase gives easy and graceful access TO the
upper rooms.
THE STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
was the owners own. He had evidently been
on the Continent and brought home an idea oi an
nate, and, saving the sight swell OF the Doric col
ninns at the port coehere, not curve appears
| from scotland. 1t would be qui possible to build
| II modern house In the front hall In TACT TWO
| story and nansard roof could be placed In the
two front halls and then be as large us some nov
in the market and being built the main build.
ing is GO ieet long, and has an east and west
wing, the first story Of the former having been III.
| conservatory. These wings are 81 feet wide, and
| recessed, standing back Of the main building 40
! feet. This gives the house
| AN uNBRoKES FRONTAGE
of 100 feet Grand as the house Is, elegant in de-
tail and fine in conception, IL s the surroundings
| that cnchant the visitor. As | looked over u II
new 1sys snce pSry ., arcnssT @ iht WsI9 lanen
OF the ladies aud their targets gave holiday ap.
pearance. Groups were gathered here and there
| pony phaeton, driven by fair yonng face and
followed by magnificent Newiound and, came
rong o ior ars as as one wShaefs tns
attract close utention. 10 one oak take of my
hat in reverence. The morel see ee9imen1hebe better
/ like trees, and especially one like this Here
among these trees In the halcyon days romped
| the children; here swung i'll easy hamm0cks the
ladies who looked out upon the 1eecy clouds oil
| summer or read tales of love. Here in this rustic
arbor the coy maiden and her lover met, when
| eyes looked love to eyes, over this same sward
hJatcd out the melody of song and iaIg bier, and
on the porch cordial greetings were exchanged
"the clasping then of hands whose pulses beat nc
more" H.
BUT THE SPIRIT OF SPECULATION,
the march of improvements, have invaded these
sacred precincts. The cruel barbed wire fence IL
running in all directions. The work of "cuttins
| up" noble estate is begun, although the gian
oaks tall chestnuts, and somoer pines wave thei
branches i'll mute protest against the desecralion
"Naudal, spare those trees, touch not singl,
boughl" Those who have dwelt i'll this place tel
me that the roar and hum of the city have onl.
recently penetrated these grounds; that once th'
city was far off, hardly seen and never heard; bu
now it has reached its very walls. What pit,
that our rural homes are all ceasing to bel VIVA
pity that the architect and builder thrust the
work where nature Is ioveliest!
| DAVID l.. GIT.