Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-18
Written for The EVENING stan.

NA BIZ Y eighteen miles nom BALTIMORE
XNE on the Frederick pike are situated the
SMSspacious old house and grounds known
VI4las Carronton or Carroll Manor, the
former home OF Charles Carroll OF Carrollton,
one of the signers Of the Declaration OF indie
pendence. Unlike most Of the similar relics OF
the stirring times OF the last century, the place
is kept up today as il was in the days OF it's in
fancy, at an annual expense, it is said, of si5,-
o0o The result fully warrants the enormous
Outlay, as the place is refreshing and restful
to the eye in these DAYS Of red brick and
stone. 1t is constructed of brisk imported
from England, overlaid with thick plaster and
painted yellow, with white trimmings, after
the fashion of the day.
Turning from the pike to the left at the gate
OF the ST. Charles College one enters the
manor ground through large iron gateway,
watched over, as II were. by pretty and COM
modious lodge house OF gray stone. and there.
stretching ont before him in long, graceful
curves, is the well-kept macadamized drive
way, which sweeps off through the bordering
forests OF tall oaks and chestnuts toward the
hall. At a considerable distance this side of
Its terminus II runs through An avenue OF arch
ing oaks and pines. planted in double rows on
either side, and winds around 10 the smooth
green lawn IN front OF the mansion.
THE HALL. OR MANOR,
typical old English country house. two
stories high, with large wings and tall, gabled
roofs, and its deep yellow hue is mellowed with
age. Front and back are por;icoes of white
pilared stone with tile floors of black and
white flags. Entering the main door one
reaches the center hall, running through to the
back door, il. in reality, there is properly any
distinction between front and back. which is
large us q good-sized room. From this hallway
IN a 1Iaf md tlaB tair
way has smaller hall on the right opening
into the main one. One is struck az once with
the quaintness Of the place and its surround
lngs. The walls are lined with colored engrRv-
ings representing horse racing and fox hunt
ing in lite various phases, and here and there
r deers head and antlers stand boldly out.
Some odd tables and chairs with long, straight
backs and short legs complete the furnishings
OF the hall The right-hand door at the farther
end leads TO the main parlor or saloon, a
spacious room with paleled oak walls and
cornice, which style prevails throughout the
house. In this room, locking out from their
massive gilded frames In solemn state. are the
portraits of Chas. Carroll, his son and his
grandson, ex-Gov. Carroll, who now owns the
vast estates Of Carrolton, said to contain at the
present day some
SEVENTEEN THOUSAND ACRES OF WOODLAND.
On the opposite side is an old painting of
Niagara Falls, picture OF Gov. CAROLS first
wife and beautiful fuI-iength portrait of his
daughter, girl apparently not over seventeen
years OF age, who was q Sister of the Sacred
Heart in tho convent at Philadelphia and who
died last year at the manor. 1t is picture
pleasant to look upon; the simple beauty of
the girl, with her dark brown hair and large.
trustful eyes, al she stands, clad in delicate
pink satin with her hands clasped behind her,
is at once sad and charming
Many quaint and old-time pieces of furniture
are in this room. The chairs, tables and
L.. L ~
darker pieces OF the same wood. The furnl-
ture is upholstered in wine-colored cut velvet
hut at this season OF the year is covered with a
dainty blue-flowered linen. Over the mantel
hang pair of mirrored candelabra, which
might be described with the latest Paris adjec-
tive, ''centuryend," and in the deep fireplace
are heavy brass androns. Two doors lead
from here, one into a room of special interest
as containing the bedstead
IN WHICH WASHINGTON SLEPT
when a guest at the house, and also his chair.
The bedstead is a tall, four-posted one, and at
the foot are two steps by which to reach it,
The chair is large, straight backed. and indeed,
a very marvel of comfort. Just beyond this is
tho last room in the main building proper and
was, during his life, the bed chamber of the
signer. 1t contains his bed, chair, tables, &c.
aud, a. addition to his comfort and con-
venience, a stationary bath tub in an alcove
| about Eve feet from his bed. This is queer
looking affair about two and half feet deep
and only three feet long. and it has large
wooden top on hinges, which, when down,
gives it the appearance of q stand for clothes
and other articles of dress. The other door of
the saloon opens into coy bright room used
as library, in which are book cases well
stocked with choice literature.
The exit from here is through the smaller
hall, where are the stairs TO tine second story.
and into the main hall. across which and di-
rectly opposite, is good-sIzed reception room.
This apartment is as 1t were, a verltable
dream Of the days of yore and is fitted up as if
the original proprietor himself had directed its
appointments or had but just left II. Over the
mantel are some old candelabra which, accord
ing to the statement Of the old servant who
acts as ciceroue, have been there for thousands
of years. However, when particularly ques-
toned he admitted he meant hundreds.
THIS OLD DARKEY
belonged to the original proprietor. the signer.
as he always spoke of him, and though as a
matter of fact quite old now, is as lively and
laxative as young man, and seems to take
pride in pointing out the antiquities of the
place. On the wall of this room is a han dsome
painting of Queen Elizabeth in her robes of
state. On the other side Of the house, that is,
back, is the dining hail, room of no great
pretensions as to size, but like all the rest,
thoroughly comfortable aud bright. In here
are some more family portraits, extend
ing back several generations, and in an
nlcove stands handsome eight-day
clock. After making tho tour Of as
much OF the first story as is open
to visitors one naturally wanders through the
large open doors to the back lawn and gardens,
and here, indeed, is q spot not soon to be for
gotten. Across wide lawn of rich, soft, green
clover, into which the foot sinks at least two
inches and deadens all sound, one wanders to
the broad terrace, on either side of which rich
flowers bloom in prodigal profusion, under the
supervision of a most careful and artistic gar
dener, and strolls on to the tall pine tree
KNOWN AS wAsHISGroN's TREE,
the top OF which was blown of during the war.
On the other side Of tho terrace is its mate
and its very counterpart before the accident,
each standing like grim sentinel guarding
the beauties of the garden, modern Hesper-
the father OF his country should have selected
this OF all the beautiful spots with which the
place abounds as the scene of their mutual
condolences as they strolled arm in arm adown
the perfect lawn. II was under this tree that
their councils and consultations on that great
matter OF such high importance TO US all, the
Declaration of Independence, were held; il was
here that the two master minds combined the
vast resources of their fertile intellects. One
can picture the stately pair one sits where
they have 80 often sat in the years long gone,
and a veneration for the old times and a name
less longing for something that has gone for
ever comes over one like sweet dream.
One part of the building remains yet TO be
seen-the large wing
IN WHICH IS TIE CHAPEL
Hero is where the great proprietor is buried.
One is shown tho very spot in the pew, under