Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-14
nr. Gilden-S Mansion.

A GUEST CHAMBER IN SATIN WOOD FOR THE
PRESIDENT ELECT.
1t was Mr.. Cleveland'S first visit to Grevstone
and ne complimented his host upon the mag
nificence OF his surroundings. Mr. Tilden's
library Is located on the ground floor, and is
one OF the pleasantest apartments in the build
ing. Its easy chairs invites sleep rather than
study. Its shelves show no vacant places
Scarcely work of Importance on political
social or historical subjects is issued without
nnding place on its shelves. Mr.. Tilden has
strong penchant for Illustrated works and has
really fine collection. Among the most note
worthy OF THESE Is a unique copy of Melons
works, which contains thousands OF inserted
plates, gathered with great patience and labor
In this apartment Mr. Tiiden and his distin-
guished Visitor spent most of Sunday though
MrCieveland wandered through the house later
ried rom the neighboring hills, and is impress
sive from It's very size. L. contains 90 rooms,
Is tau square tower. It's effectiveness is in
its massiveness, and Mr. Cleveland might
scour the banks of the Hudson without finding
It's equal ID this and many other respects. The
edE1ce stands in a park OF 20 acres OF nlagniti-
cent Woodland SLOPES, broad meadows re0ues-
Tered lawns and lovely giades and glens.
From the uppermost room OF the tower 400
Ieet above the surface OF the Hudson, the
scene Is magnificent. To the north are the
Heekskll mountains and the environment OF
West Point; to the west are the Palisades; 10
the south the upper part of New York city
and the hills OF staten Island, while 10
the cast are the sail-hecked waters of Long
Island sound. On every hand the pros
Pect is not less beautiful than vast. Near the
house are several large silver frs which Mr..
Tflden imported from Greece. These are in
terspersed with q unique and beautiful col.
lection OF trees and shrubs, among which are
golden oaks and elders. purple beaches, and
eyergreens from the deepest shades of green
70 the richest shades OF gold. Chief among
the latter is a beautiful specimen of Japanese
arbor-vitae.
From the rear veranda the grounds descend
Dy succession OF SIX terraces 10 the Hudson,
4OO yards distant Standing directly west OF
the manson Is an oak tree that towers above
the other monarchs of the forest. 1t is symme-
tricai almost TO a fault. and never fails to at
tract atte ntion. Mr.. Cleveland asked if there
was any tradition connected with it, His host
smilingly informed him that he knew of none
except mat II had been dubbed the ''Tilden
Oak" The tree is 20 feet wide
The main hall of the building extends COM
pIeteiy across 1t, from east to west and is LOFTY
and wide ON the right is the secretary's office
The secretary, as he sits at mis- desk can look al
portraits of VIM. Cullen Bryant, Charles (r(,Onor
and Samuel ]. Tilden.
Next to this room is a wide stairway and
next TO II the dressing room. At the end or the
nall is the entrance to the rear piazza, and on
the left side one may enter the reception room
the dining room or the library.
Mr.. Tiiden's. sleeping apartments and the
Chief guest room are on the second floor, In the
latter Mr.. Cleveland slept Sunday night. The
furniture Is OF satihwood, trimmed with bam-
boo. The room is 40 by 20 feet in size and is
perfect in its appointments. Not far from this
room is another fitted up with handsome bill
Hard table and other requirements OF the game
The third floor is entirely occupied by sleep
ing rooms. In walking through the grounds,
Mr.. Cleveland made friends with two maenifi,
cent 81. Bernard dogs owned by Mr.. Tilden. He
failed, however, To soften the temper of q huge
mastif, whose liberty is restrained by line
steel chain.
He showed much interest In Mr.. Tilden,s cat.
tie and poultry display, and cOmplimented his
host on his taste and knowledge in such mat
tara