The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-22

1t is feryently hoped the new owner of
Roseclitf will retain many of the features of
spot which has national reputation. No
visitor to Newport. for a decade at least, will
be apt to forget the Bancroft roses or the
et-faced historian who handed them to
all-comers. without money and without
price" 1t was the only genuine rose gar
den of Newport, no other flowers being
tolerated.
The large gardens were the work of his
own creation. and he personally superin-
tended their growth and care. The garden,
despite its exposed position, was always
perfumed with the fragrance of roses, many
of the originals of which we're secured in
foreign lands for the exclusive use of Mr..
Bancroft
The always well-kept lawns are skirted
on either side with the rose beds inserted
In the grass. and they are protected by out
side borders of trees ami by shrubs planted
so thick as to prevent the cool east winds of
the ocean from crushing the flowers
to the earth. The rose family of
and Mr.. Bancroft often had four
thousand in bloom at one time. The variety
almost endless. Many of them are of the
hardy kind and are allowed to remain I'M
covered all winter. A few of the beds,
filled with more delicate varieties, are COW
cred in winter ana tenderly cared for. The
collection is said to be the largest and finest
in the country.
Kosecliff is secluded place and is shut
out more or less from fashionable Bellevue
avenue.
a private driveway leads from Bellevue
avenue. opposite the residence of L. A.
Havemever, through the grounds of Mr.
George +. Parkman of Boston, and thence
into the Bancroft estate. The Parkmau
cottage Is on the corner, and it leaves the
new home of Mr.. Oelrichs exclusively in
possession of all the land between it and
the cliffs. The driveway is lined with trees,
and the Bancroft estate, on all four sides,
including the cliff side, is also inclosed with
trees.
Near the edge OF the cliff is a unique
kitchen garden, with pretty winding paths.
and this, too, is surrounded with heavy
shrubbery. The place for quaintness and
eXclusveness could not be eXcelied, and in
this romantic retreat, clothed with natural
beauty, the great historian found needed
rest and recreation after dev0tiBg hours Of
labor to his study. 1t would be no easy task
to tell how much he was indebted to his rose
gardens for the physical and mental vigor
that enabled him to round out SO long and
well spent Il life.
Mr. Oelrichs comes into possession of his
historic place in a month of the year which
cottagerS and townSpeople always look for
ward to with pleasure. The anniversary of
MIR. Bancrofts birthday was celebrated the
first week in October, the last festive
occasion Of the kind taking place one
year ago. The sweet-scented roses were
as fragrant and well cared for
this year as they were last, but
they were not watched by the one who had
planted them, and the recipients of his
bounty were not favored as they had been.
The poor and the unfortunate, the sick in
tile hospitals and the pretty girls in society,
of whom Mr.. Bancroft was very fond, by
the way, were forgotten this year, and the
rose leaves witherel aud were scattered far
ana wide.
Mr.. Bancroft's birthday celebrations were
important features of the Newport season
and they always were held at Newport.
How he longed for pleasant weather in
order that none of his friends would be pre-
vented from visiting him His face was
wreathed in smiles and he was lat home"
to all who called. 1t was my pleasant duty
to call with the Herald's compliments
for many years, and l recall the de-
light 1t gave him to allow me to peruse the
letters, kilograms and cable dispatches
which he had received wishing him joy,
peace. health happiness and all other good
things of this life. Messenger boys were
constantly arriving, and each was always
presented with a shining piece of silver
money which was set aside for the occasion.
Mr.. Oelrichs will find Rnseclff per-
meated with many memories, ard inc scent
OF the roses will be sweetsr if the happy
scenes and the incidents witnessed within
the grounds are often called to mind.
Tho Bancroft cottage can in no sense be
cOmpHTtu 10 tflt IUOutTU summer MONIES Oh
the present day. 1t was built before there
was any snch rivalry as there is in fashion,
able Newport at the present time. 1t was
built strictly for summer home, nothing
more, and 1t was not ornamented with peaks
towers, dormer windows, French plate, rich
interior and other things so essential now
when one is trying TO Guido his neighbour
1t is plain, unpretentious two-and-a-half-
story wooden house, with broad, uncovered
piazzas. Everything in and about the house
is severely plain, and no frescOing and VAIN
scoting of carved, polished wood will be
found. The rooms. however, are large, airy
and we'll VENTILATED, and the view from the
front Is all that can be wished. The ocean
is at the foot of the lawn. Your eye meets
the rose bushes AMI the four borders of
small trees which surround this sequestered
retreat.
When Mr.. Bancroft bought the estate it
was known as part OF the Potter Farm"
in fact the entire Ochre Point District, the
home of the millionaires, was the farm"
of the late William Beach Lawrence, the
eminent jurst and International lawyer,
and for which he paid $1,000! The heirs
of Mr.. Lawrence realized SS50,0o0 for the
farm. The plans for the house were drawn
for Mr.. Bancroft by Mr.. George C. Mason.
who is living. but the builder has been dead
for many years.
In those days Newport did not have the
popularity and wealth which she has to-
day, but the house was looked upon as some
thing unusually elaborate by the natives. In
due time Mr.. Bancroft became citizen, and
during the war and since he had enter
tanned many distinguished men and women
from all parts of this and other lands at
Rosecliff No President of the United
States or other important parsonage who
visited Newport was allowed to depart until
he had paid his respects to Americas favor
ite historian. The price paid was about
$4,000.
Large-Sized snake Story.
The two Shafer brothers, who live on the