Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-06-26
TIlDEN'S HOUSE.

park has been the Mecca of political
pilgrimagcs without number. 1t is one
of the most attractive dwellings in New
York. writes a correspondent OF The
omaha Herald. 1t was not constructed
for some successful but ignorant gam
bier of Wall street or the produce-ex-
change. but for one of the most re-
markable figures in modern politics and
under his cultivated supervision. 1t is
two houses made into one, and unites
something of the gothic with not few
of the graces of the French renaissance.
Between the two bay windows are the
carved heads of Shakespeare, Milton.
Franklin, Goethe, and Dante, Mr.. Til
den's favorite authois. At the main en-
trance polished red granite columns in
the STYLE of the renaissance support
corbeis on which are carved in bold re-
lief the beautiful heads of the goddesses
Of the four seasons, each framed In
carved foliage according to the season:
Over the other entrance is the head OF
Michael Angelo. Over the main en-
trance is a balcony from which the crowd
might be addressed. and this is inclosed
by a bronze railing. The house has an
elevator. The entire second story is
occupied by Mr.. Tilden's bedroom, and
private parlor; his library is in the sec
ond story. One of the reasons why he
made the extensive improvements in
his home here which cost him about
5000. 900 was to secure additional room
for his library. The ceiling and walls
of the dining room arc finished with
finely carved satin wood and blue tiles;
satin wood is used in doors and for dec
Grafton throughout the house. The
front is brown stone ornamented with
red Carlisle and gray Maine granite.
The Scotch rs well as the American
stone is adorned with rich tracery,
bringing out, as with magical chisel,
leaves, flowers. beetles, and lizards.
with pro usion that makes the facade
a study in art. 1t is an abode that
would have been worthy of an ancient
Venitian prince. 1t fronts on the pri-
vate Gramercy park. which now, with
its Embroidered beds of hyacinths and
crocuses. its Willows. buttonwoods,
elms, shrubs, and great urns of pansies
and few magnolia trees close by. is
one of the few garden spots in the east
side desert of brick. brown stone, and
marble. a nymph perpetuallv bathes
in large fountain and French BONES
escort the prattling children of the
wealthy along the good oid-fashioned
gravel paths.
Gramercy park and the immediate
neighborhood make one of those quiet
spots away from the surging sea of city
aristocratic squares on which Thackeray
loved to dwell in his life-like fiction. 1t
is on such scene rs this that the gen.
tleman who believes that ten years ago
he was elected president of the United
States looks out wheA he is in town.
Much of his time is now passed. howev-
er, both in winter and summer, at
GreystOne, his fine mansion two miles
from Yonkers on the Hudson. Among
those who call most frequently upon
him are William +. Dodge, John
Bigelow, and Assemblyman Beardsley.
Ex-Comptroller Andrew H. Green stays
with him while he is at Greystone. His
mansion and various possessions there.
by the way, are valued at 81, 800. 900.
His fortune amounts to $4,000. 600 or
$4,000, 900. On his Greystone estate he
raises Jersey cattle, blooded horses,
dogs, and fowls. He comes from Eng
lish stock and is in some respects Eng
lish in his tastes. His extensive grounds
receive the most careful attention. His
sister, Mrs. Pelton, presides over his
household assisted by number of nieces
who are much attached to the old states
man. He likes to be surrounded by
young people, especially young
ladies. He has the elaborate
gallantry Of gentleman of
the old school. Among his near neigh
bors are Mr.. and Mrs. Harriott (Clara
Morris), and sometimes he drives out
with the gifted actress who has been for
years, like himself, an invalid. He
was formally an exceptionally good
horseman, but now, weighed down by
years and infirmities, he takes his air
ing in carriage and in the summer he
makes short trips on the Hudson in his
yacht. Some years ago he had slight
stroke of paralysis, but his principal
trouble is nervous affcctation known
TO physicians as arthritis. The para
lytic stroke, however. affected the lid
of his left eye, which is contracted and
drawn down, while his mouth and
tongue are also slightly affected. Both
hands are inclined to keep up a perpet-
ual shaking-the left hand the most so.
This trouble set in as palsy about eight
years ago. 1t is now chronic and be-
yond cure. Iodine is frequently applied
to the left hand, and in conversation
he often uses the right hand to stop
the shaking of the other. When he
sleeps both hands are perfectly quiet
he usually retires at $50 and arises at
ESQ. He Is cheerful and usually passes
comparatively pleasant day. His
mind remains triumphant over the ills
OF his poor, WORKOUT body. He Is a
marvellous exemplification Of the fact
that the human soul may win q glorious
victory over all the ills of the flesh.
The decrepit man of ~ reads or has
others read to him. engages in witty
and intellectual conversation, and keeps
up large correspondence with various
prominent members of the democratic
party. He has private secretary and
an amanuensis, both Of whom he keeps
busy. He has an exceptionally fine IL
brary; he Is especially fond Of rare
books more particularly of interleaved
copies Of old works like those, for ex-
ample. Of Izaak Walton. His memo
~ 10 marvellous. Without referring to
HE power Of retaining historical facts
and figures it is curious to notice the
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