Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-07-04
A BISHOPS PALACE.
The stately Home of the Bishop OF
Long Island.

Bishop Littlejobn, of the Protestant Epis
copal Diocese of Long Island has taken
possession of the paatial home provided for
him by Mrs. A. 7. Stewart and Mr.. Henry
Hilton, at Garden City. 1t is but a 6vc.min.
ute walk from the depot and but two from
the cathedral. The house rests in the cen
ire of large park which extends to the ca.
thcdral on the north. The house is four
stories high is built of brick, with trim
mings of frcestonc, and faces the cathedral
The visitor desccnds from his carriage in a
porte cocherc. To the left and right of the
doorway, Immediately after entering the
house, tho visitor finds cloak and toilet
room. Climbing a short flight of stairs, he
steps into large square hail. which is re-
pcated on each floor, while broad stair
| case, with three short flights between each
| floor, leads 10 the fourth floor. White ash
wainsco,t ng runs around three sides OF the
| hall Il th this and the ceiling of the same
wood are pancled and adorned with mould
| ings of elaborate patterns. The floor is of
yak, with deep mosaic border of black wal
tut, mahogany and oak. Swinging in the cen
| tire is brass chandelier with four gas Jets.
| The eye is attracted first by q large stained
glass window looking toward the cathedral
and half way up the staircase on the first
| floor. The centre of the window is a bish-
ops mitrc, with crossed key and crosier
behind it. Below the design is representa-
ton of curtain, while above 1t is a panel Of
twig with apple blossoms. The designs
are softened by half tints and shadings of
color, in accordance with the new system OF
stained glass work.
| At the left hand on entering the hall from
the front door is the parlor. The wood work
is in San Domingo mahogany. Figured silk,
| silk plush, and silk embroidered reception
chairs in different colors are scattered
around. A large square rug covers the
| floor. Twelve lights are thrown from a
hammered brass chandelier in the centre.
The selection of all of the furniture was
made by Mr.. Hilton. Some was manufac-
tured by his employees, but many choice
mantes and tables of oak or mahogany or
black walnut were obtained from dealers in
curious and antique furniture. A reception
room in the southeast corner with doors
| from the hall to the paror, resembles the
parlor in its construction and furnishing.
The Bishops library and his study are in
the southwest corner of the house. In both
| of these rooms mahogany bookcases as high
as man can reach are set INTO the four
sides of the apartments. The furniture is
of ebony, upholstered with dark silk in gold
thread. The Bishops study table and hi;
chair which is large enough for two men tc
sit in, are covered with embossed brown
leather. The chair is studded with hammer
ed brass nails. Under bcveled mirror ant
mantel is wide fire place surrounded by
terra Gotta tile.
From the study, which is in the southwest
corner of the house, to the northward anC
across small hallway is the buffers pantry
} already furnished by Mr.. Hilton with white
J china and crockery. Adjoining the butler
: pantry is the dining room, which completes
|. the circuit which started at the large hall
/, A rug almost an inch thick covers the din
, ing room floor. The buffet is of black wal
, nut. Twelve rosewood chairs, upholstered
with blue figured silk stand around ma
hogauy extension table. On the bullet arr
silver swinging water pitcher, two casters
J two cake baskets, two milk pitchers, two
bu ter dishes, and in the drawers are knives
: forks and spoons.
!, On the second floor over the parl,r is Mrs
/ Lltteiohn's room, and over the reception
room the Bishops. Mrs. Littleiohns room
is carpcted with an India rug in green an(
red. The bedstead and dressing case are o
mahogany. Two low silk upholstered chairs
one sewing chair and the other rocking
! chair, are near the windows. A black walnu
mantcl in Mrs. Littleiohn's room and al
oak maptel in the Bishops room are said t.
/: be 200 years old. But for their rich color
: which is the result of age, they might b
, new, so perfectly have they been preserved
, Mr.. Hilton is said to value them abov
= rubies Three other rooms on the sam
2 floor to the southwest, west, and northwes
: from, Bishop Littejohn's and Mrs. Little
, Johns rooms, are furnished in similar wa
8 for other members of tho family
Ga the third floor are six rooms for guests
THE wood used is either white ash or mahog
any. On the fourth floor arc seven room