Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-15

MIR. Arthur's Luxurious Summer Resi-
dence Described.
WirSHfN0t08 Post.

Swarms of swallows clrcled round and
round the Presidents cottage at Soldiers
Home last evening, twittering merrily
and darting in and out of the chimneys as
if holding a house-warming. They took
possession last evening so that the Presl-
dent when he moves in to-day would ind
the house not entirely empty, but would
find them there TO bid him welcome. The
preparations for his reception to-day We're
completed, and everything about the place
had an air of readiness. The lawns were
close shayen and clean, like green plush.
The flowers seemed fresher and brighter
than usual. The red blossoms seemed
redder and the green bOughs greener- The
roses and honeysuckles climbing up the
veranda seemed to be eontending which
should climb the higher and shed the most
beauty and fragrance through the cottage
window.
The verandas, porches and balconies
had been reprinted. the windows were
thrown cheerfullv open, and the little
stuccO cottage looked as cheerful as pos
sible. Even the little bird houses IN the
trees in front Of the door had been nicely
whitewashed and cleaned from pedestal
TO cupOla, and the little sparrOws exam
ined them critically, as If ready to take
possession on the morrow.
Inside. the house has been completely
renovated. Among the new articles OF
furniture are a handsome carved white
oak dining table and a very handsome
buffet TO match. All the furniture has
been rearranged, and all the rooms have
an appearance of simple comfort, appro-
pirate to the idea of a cottage. Every
room has a fireplace and mantel, and on
each mantel were arranged gilded flower
pots, filled with graceful plants, while
larger plants and shrubs hid the fire.
places. The walls of the hall are COW
cred with paper of aesthetic hues, with
dados representing storks on one foot
and birds standing in sage contemplation
of rushes, cat-tails and punches OF flowers.
The hall furniture is plain. consisting OF
a BRUSSELS carpet, which extends up the
stairs: an arm chair, two high-backed
walnut hall chairs and a portrait of Gen.
jackson, which hangs near the entrance
/ to the dining room. The room one hrst
| feels inclined to enter is the study. Thls
| is reached by pushing aside heavy cur
tains at the west end of the hall, after you
have entered the hall by the main door at
| the north side of the cottage. This room,
which must be naturally quite dark, is
made still darker by quantity OF plants
which are piled up in the bow window in
/ tropical profusion, but this is relieved by
| the delicate pea-green walls. The furni-
! ture is of dark raw silk, and includes
sofas and comfortable arm chairs, COM
pletelv cushioned. In the middle of the
room is a small desk covered with green
/ baiZe, and before the window is a large
/ carved mahogany desk. In front of the
mantel stands a curious rustic flower
/ stand filled with plants, placed there to
await the Presidents judgment. IL he
/ likes it it VIII remain, but if not it will be
removed. 1t is Of very large size, repre-
| senting an eagles nest supported by large
rustic scrolls. Above the nest rests a
/ crown, upon which perches an eagle al
most life-siZe. On either side are other
/ eagles, and perched upon the ends of the
| scrolls are pairs of doves kissing. The
whole seems 10 be made of laurel, covered
with the prickles of pine-cOnes, the feath-
cry appearance of which renders the birds
almost perfect. The floor is covered with
a rich Turkish rug, with delicate tints
blended into uncertain Turkishldesigns.
Over the mantel is an engraved portrait
of Lincoln, while on the opposite wall is
one of Grant.
South of this study, separated from it
by curtained doorway, is the drawing
room. This. like the rest of the house. Is
plainly but nicely furnished. The fur
niture is of walnut covered with raw silk,
old gold being the predominant color, with
red plush. There is an inlaid upright
piano, a centre table, an ebony stand and
cabinet. and a companion to the flower
stand in the study. The floor was cover
ed with Turkish rug, like shat in the
study. Adjoining this to the west is the
office, which is comfortably furnished.
To the east is the dining room. The floor
is carpeted with Brussels. In the middle
of the room is the richly-carved white-Oak
table, previously mentioned, with chairs
of plain walnut. The buffet-is in the but
ler's patry adjoining. These two rooms
have been newly papered in blue.
The Presidents bedroom is Immediately
over the drawing-rOom, and is the
same size. 1t is papered in blue and sill
yer, and a very rich velvet rug is laid
over the mating, smaller ones lying here
and there about the room. The furniture
is of walnut. To the north, east and
west, communicating with the bedroom,
are similarly furnished rooms. In the
north room the Presidents portrait hangs
over the mantel. The view from the
Presidents chamber window looking
south is very extensive and beautiful,
stretching far along the winding course
of the Potomac, To-day, at such an hour
as he finds convenient, he will leave the
White House in his carriage and drive
to this cottage. He will take quiet pos
session, there being, at his request, no
reception or demonstration.