The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-26

chairs are of oak, handsomely carved, and
the chairs are covered with embossed
morocco. The windows are heavily hung
with Turkish embroidery, and the
walls paneled in green velvet. The library,
opening out of the drawing room, is decorated as
to its sides and ceiling in heavy venetian red. A
Persian rug OF large dimensions lies In the center
of the floor, which is made of oak, ebony and
rosewood. A fine Bengal tiger skin is thrown
upon the floor in front of the l.. 'ge fireplace.
which is made of brass. The furniture is COW
cred with Turkish and Persian embroiderles,
and standing against the furthest wall Is an
open cabinet OF some dark wood. containing
number of costly gifts received by the General
during his memorable journey around the world.
Noticeable among these, and preserved as his
most highly valued souvenirs, are a It OF small
silver boxes containing the freedom of the diff
ferent cities which he visited while abroad. In
one corner of the room is cane which was long
ago the property of the Marquis de Lafayette,
this historic relic having been presented to Gen
eral Grant by a number OF Baltimore ladies.
The walls are decorated by pictures, small arms
and pieces of old steel armmor The curtains,
which are rich and heavy, are made
of Persian materials, with silk fringes
and galloons together with hand
some satin and plush mountings There are
5000 volumes ranged about the walls, these hav-
ing been presented to Gen. Grant by the citizens
of Boston. In the center of the room there is a
large table covered with manuscripts. scrap
books and newspaper clippings. 1t is at this
taDlo tnaC Uen. Ordnt haQ WrlCteu MS TeCcut
"reminiscences, and the big, high backed chair
drawn up to the center of the board is the one in
which he has, while working. so heroicaly fought
against the encroachments of his painful disease
Opposite to him at the table is the chair occupied
by his son. Col. Fred Grant who has acted as his
amenuensis and copyist Sometimes the General
has dictated slowly to his son, and sometimes the
latter has received the sheets of his fathers work.
and copied them as fast they were scratched off
and showed across to him. This apartment will
- - al
Grants residence On the next floor above the
enc already described, there are four chambers,
reached by the broad, easy and heavily carpeted
staircase from the hall below. The two front
rooms, each of them very large apartments, are
occupied by General and Mrs Grant In these
long and painful nights the old hero had reclined
upon an immense brass bedstead, heavily cano-
pied overhead. The room is comfortably fur
nished, the colors being warm in hue, and the
easy chairs and sofas presenting an inviting and
luxurious appearance. The floor is covered by a
large square rug. and the furniture is of mahog-
any Mrs. Grants boudoir is the most elegant
Of the chambers on this floor. 1t is carpeted in
heavy wilton, and its ornaments are antique and
designed breakfast table, a deep, luxurious
couch, and the chairs and sofas are of wicker
work. A little desk made of inlaid woods and a
couple of handsome bookcases complete the
room, the prevailing colors in the decoration OF
which are seal brown.
uAIo. OIaAt olccpiuS dpdrtII Ii AA'oAVu Ill
old gold and blue. and the guests chamber
which opens from the back of the upper hail, is
frescoed in tints mainly of dove color. On the
third floor there are two suites of rooms which
are designed for the especial use Of the younger
members of the family whenever they come to
visit their parents. In both of these the floors
are of hardwood, covered nearly to the edges
with rugs, and the furnishings are of bamboo
and birdseye maple. The decorations are in
robins-egg blue, and the rooms are all light and
CHEEKY. The upper floor is cut up in apartments
for the servants. There is billiard room in the
basement of the mansion which is quite hand
some apartment The floor Is of inlaid woods
and the walls, which are dark in color, are hung
with some handsome steel engravings. The
general impression conveyed by the interior of
General Grants mansion is one of comfort
rather than Of elaborate luxury. Many of the
articles which have described, while being I'M
doubleday of some considerable intrinsic value
are far more highly held by reason of their as
sociations than through the amount Of their
cost