Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-16
A VISIT TO RHINE CLIFF.
A Washingtonian's Account OF the Home
Of the Vice President

Correspondence Of THE EVENING sraa.
FAuouIkR WHITE SULPHUR SPRINas, July IL
Col Robert L Fleming, Of Washington who
has recently joined his wife and little daughter
at these springs for Q few days sojourn. has
just returned from brief visit 10 the beautiful
home Of Vice President Morton. rhine Cliff, /"
about ninety miles above New York. In speak
ing Of his visit the colonel 10 enthusiastic over
the natural and architectural beauties OF the
spot, and warm in his praise of the hearty and
hospitable welcome extended by the Vice Pres
ident and his charming wife to all those who
enjoy the privilege Of their confidence and
friendship. After reaching the little station OF
Rhine Cliff, on the Hud.on River railroad q
drive of two miles brings one to the elegsn,
mansion situated upon a. elevated plateau in
the midst Of fsr-stretching grounds, eleven
hundred acres in extent
THE DRIVE TO THE MANSION
The visitor is driven over smoothly macad-
amized roads through a country unrivaled for
picturesque scenery. Entering the handsome
arched stone gateway leading into the arts
ucaiiy laid out pleasure grounds mmediately
surrounding the mansion, a broad carriage
dfiSe quarter vi \ mile long in the midst o,
an avenue OF tall oaks, bordered on either side
oy blooming hedges Of scarlet hollyhocks and
other nowerins plants. graduated in height, OF
several rows deep, Introducing the visitor by 3
sudden and unlocked dior turn into full view OF
the imposing str ucture. The mansion is a CON-
pination OF dark free stone. plaster and wood.
puiit In the artistic Queen Anne style.
THE INTERIOR
Upon alighting and entering one finds him.
self IN a magnificent central hallway, over sixty
feet in length by thirty in breadth. furnished
In solid oak and leather, each chair and lounge
hnTfn ill. 4 A.
entwlned letters Of the monogram beneath
Opening into this on either side are the recep-
ton psrlors, sitting and dining rooms. with
handsome, well-stocked library. At the farther
end a beautiful Queen Anne stairway of carved
oak conducts one by easy stages to the elegant
suite Of sleeping apartments above. all opening
into the main gallery, from which you look
down into the hall below. The walls bordering
the stairway are hung with rare paintings and
valuable engravings. Conspicuous among the
many beautiful rooms Is the spacious dining
hall. like all of the other apartme nts. planned
In the prevailing Queen Anne style. The walls
are OF paneled oak and the ceiling of ribbed
wood and hght-colored stucco. The furniture.
like that Of the main hall, is of the dark grained
old English oak with wide buffets laden with
rich rePousse silver and handsome cut glass;
and luxurious divans, upholstered in raised
leather, are temptingly placed about.
VIEW OF THE RIVER.
From the long veranda extending across the
rear OF the mansion magnificent view of the
Hudson river with all its devious winnings for
many miles in extent is obtained. and here il
Is that the family love best to llnger during the
afternoon hours and watch the vanishing
changes Of sky and water while enjoying the
cool breezes sweeping over fields of nodding
grain and spicy with the breath OF the pine
forests. The mansion is SO situated within a
curve OF the arm of the shore that the distance
In direct line from the villa-dotted shores OF
the river is not more than half mile In this
lovely home. adorned with fragrant gardens
and extensive Conservatives and surrounded
by every luxury that nature or the ingenuity
OF man can supply, the larger portion of each
year is happily spent by the members OF the
household OF the Vice President In the dis
pensing of a generous hospitality. L.