New-York tribune., 1885-03-01
THE ADlRONDACKS.
TIE sARANAC LAKE sANITARlUM.
v.

sARANAc LAKE, N. Y. Feb. 24.-The scheme OF
n sanitarium in the Adirondacks originated with
DR. E. l.. Trudeau, whom a long and fortunate
experience in this region has inspired with an
earnest wish to extend the beneGts OF the wilder-
ness euro" to a certain class of sufferers from
pulmonary disease who cannot pay the cost OF
a long stay at an hotel, OF the still more expensive
luxury of a season two in camp WLat nc pro
posed was not exactly charitable institution; stu
less was it sef-supportlng hospital on the plan OF
the numerous hygion,c establishments" y" 1t was q
rctreot in which patients with very short purses
MIGHT have all the advantages of climate, hedicai
care and a simple and wholesome moue oi lie, III
the smallest possible price. The project was taken
n with sprit by some of the visitors to the Saranac
and ST. Regis lakes; subscriptions were Ohered
freely aud the result is the beautiful little estaD-
lishment Oh the outskirts of this village which will
be opened in q few days 1t is a charity so far as
this that the land the buildings. the furniture and
the general Quilt are the gifts of the benevolent;
the medical attendance and the business super
vision will be entirely gratuitous; but patients
will pay IS q week for board-a sum which, III is
supposed will just about cover the cost OF pr0Vis-
ions aud fuel Outside contributions are reilea
npon to meet the other expenses OF maintenance as
for lights. labor, repairs. etc. ETC. Iatiehts VINO
are strong enough will be expected to do some ght
work ill caring for the grounds or raising flowers
and il is probable that a small income might be
derived from greenhouse, rs there would be
ready sale for cuowers i'll the botels ana camps IN
summer, and among the Saranac b0ardihg-houses
in winter: but presume that the possible revenue
from such sources does not make large figure in the
institution If such gentle labor as the budget OF
flower raising bring in great sum of money ltwlli
at least give amusement and exercise The iuture OF
the good work now begun must depend largely upon
the generosity of the kind-hcartcd.
The site of the sanitariuin is line plateau on the
shoulder Of hill which overhangs the valley OF
the Saranac River milo and half below the
village The grounds comprising eight acres was
purchased at a cost of $500 and presented 10y the
Saranac guIdes-an act of berality on the part OF
worthy set of men winch has been highly appre-
ciated The plateau forms sort of natural ter
race on a SPUR of the hill, with steep descent Of
about 100 feet to the Saranac River in 'front.' and
an equally sharp and still higher ise to the crest OF
the ridge in the rear. 1t seems 10 me an almost
idcal situation for such establishment; the swell
and contour of the land are so beautiful the con
trast is so fine between the wooded hills and this
open grassy place dotted with handsome shade
trees the outlook Is so enchanting, ana nature mas
supplied on the one hand such complete drainage
and on the other such an effective barrier against
the winter winds The ridge behind the sanltarium
buildings is toward the stcimy quarter; so that,
although the plateau high aud open, and over
looks fiat valley stretching miles away TO break
in the mountains it is well sheltered to wind
ward that in winter il Is one Of the warmeSt spots IN
the neighborhOod. When 1 went over the place
Yesterday afternoon panorama of imposing
spendor extended far to the right and left IN front
of the houses. On the further side OF the river
yalley-here less than half mile wlde--Is range
of loy hills, thicky timbered the bare outlines OF
docduous trees rising out of the white foreground
H. l,xl of fSnrmP
Back of this range lowered the mountain SUBMITS,
not vet invaded by the wood cutter. On some OF
the peaks-not on al-the snow. clinging to the
branches gave the whole mountain the appearance
of having been powdered. Others showed the hue
OF the evergreen forest, which, at distance OF
mile or more in this wintry light, IS always blue
instead of green presenting an exquisite variety OF
shades from the faint electric" tint to the deepest
indigo in which every crease and ravno Is cXhib-
i.ed with startling distinctness. Twenty miles TO
the south the white top Of Mount Marcy rose above
all it's neighburs while an almost equally conspic-
mons landmark in the opposite direction was the
snowy point of Whiteface. The character Oh 'he
outlook was almost Alpine; indeed have visited
favor,te mountain resorts in varous parts OF the
world which seem to me far less attractive than
this quiet corner of the Adirondacks.
The bindings of the sanitarum are worthy oi the
site They are maryels of cheapness and simplicity.
tive. The main structure is quaint. irregular red
cottage. with unexpected corners. delightfully."-
original and ample windows, deep piazza and
range of Offices and storc-rooms at the rear The
ground floor comprises cheerful slttingroom'
which at the time of my visit contained cabinet
organ and set of asben bookshelves over the lire
Mace with Dickenss works as the rudinents oi
library; large sunny diniDg-room; doctors
office; an excellent kitchen, with pantry, store-
closets ETC. The second floor is divided INTO ionr
belrooms for patients, % bathroom and convenient
apartments for the custodian and his family VINO
will do the cooking ard other work OF the house.
was much impressed by the fact that every room
WAS a bright and pleasant roOm-a result attrlb-
ntabIe in part to the position of the house. IN part
IN the style of che interior woodwork buf chiefly
no doubt to q happy arrangement OF the hr"an
windows which, instead OF being placed III the
middle of each exterior side of the room, are
brought close together at the corners. n pair OF
windows thus having the effect OF a bay. ms
device not only makes the room particularly cheer
ful but leaves convenient spaces for furniture
few rods from the maip building are two charming
little cottages harmonizng with ii in genera style
but differing both from it and from each other IN
arcb,toctnral details Each consists OF a single
room with an open brick fireplace Two friends OF
the institution have given the money Tor two more
cottages which will be put up very soon. ihere Is
a large barn, with stabling for few horses ana
several cows. The external work on all the buiid-
ings 10 substantially finished, except that the
cottages have not yet been painted: and the
interiors are nearly complete and partly furnished.
Most of the furniture is Of the handsome black
cherry which is not black bnt red, and was made IN
this neighborhood from special designs Even the
pretty blue and white table china is in its place.
and some of the comfortabio-lookine beds are
already made Certainly never saw pieasanter