The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1892-11-18
TALES OF TWO COUNTIES.
WASHINGTON.
ATTRACTIONS OF OLD JUDEA.

favorite resort of some well-known
literary, artistic and society people OF
Brooklyn Is Washington, Conn.,, known
years ago as Old Judea. This village,
perched on hilltop above the noisy,
winding Shepaug river, gives one but a
hint of its charms as you arrive at the
station. AS the train winds along the
river side, one catches glimpses far above
of of two or three picturesque country
houses, with their spacious porches gay
with awnings and flags. The most con-
spicuous in the outlook is the residence
of Il. 5. Barnes of Clinton avenue,
whose boyhood was partly spent among
these hills, and whose place, Westlawn,
derives its name from its acres of we'll
kept lawn. These verdant sweeps, so
soothing in color and restful to the eye,
serve well for most effective foreground
to the succession of hills that rise purple
and blue in their retreating distance. The
social life of this village is only second
in charm to the natural beauty of the
place. The nucleus of it is the old es-
tablished school for boys, known as the
Gunnery. Almost all of the beautiful
summer homes in the town have been
built by former Gunnery boys, whose
love for the scenes of their school days
have brought them in maturer years to
seek recreation here. The village peo-
pie are also active in all the social events,
and give color and tone by their culture
and refinement to a life that teaches
those, who spend so much of their time
in the hurry and rush of the city, that
they know very little of the peaceful ex-
istence that "pays as it goes"
Mr. Van Ingen has Il fine residence built
on knoll, slightly removed from grove
that has suffered no tortures of cultiva-
ton, and commanding a wide view of the
surrounding country, which view will re-
main undisturbed, owing to his clear
sighted purchase of such lands that
might be made Aunsghtly by the unap-
preciative. Arthur Woodruff, we'll known
for his rich voice to many New Workers,
has built himself q cosy home, high up
above this high hung town. From this
eyry, as one drives by, come strains of
sweet music, and the pipey notes of
yong voices in songs and glee. Ehrick
Rossiter, young architect of New Y ork,
has designed the homes of his former
schoolmates, as we'll as a most artistic
dwelling for himself. 70 his efforts of
creating drives to the points of interest,
to Mr. Van Ingen for his judicious con-
trolling of land, and to Mr. Gibson for in
spring one and all to love nature and
withhold the destroying hand, is owed
the fact that the natural beauty of the
place remains undisturbed.
Edward A. Seccomb of Brooklyn, has
this season bought the place built and re-
Gently occupied by Col Barbour of Hart
ford. Though devotee for many years
to yacht life, so much of family man is
he, that in order to locate where all dear
est to him will be unit in their feelings
and where ill-health will be stranger,
he has abandoned his former pursuit, and
seems not sorry to have settled in spot
where such a cordial welcome has been
extended to him. The houses are used
only for eating and sleeping, saving them
up for the proverbial rainy day. All live
out of doors. At mail time they gather
on the green, and chat and open the
morning paper, seeking, and generally in
vain, for something that is not politics,
and then dispense for the MONDAY meal.
Fashion holds no sway; comfort and
blue serge is the regulation uniform.
Disappointment would be the fate of the
dainty lady of fashion who expected to
impress her fellow-boarder with her cum
ningly fashioned raiment. She is not al
lowed to vie with the birds or the butter
flies in texture or line. There is no hotel
here, and when the "Gunnery" is full
with the annually returning guest, there
is no place for the stranger who has no
friend at court to secure for him a chance
vacancy. Aside from those already men
toned the following Brooklynites have
summered at Washington: Mr. and Mrs
William G. Beecher, Mr. and Mrs f. E.
Neergaard, Mr. and Mrs Hersey Brown,
Miss Lennox, Mr. and Mrs George w.
Kenyon, Mr. and Mrs Edward Il. Howard,
Lieut. and Mrs S. Hubbard, Miss Vice.
lock, Mrs Charles E. Bigelow, Mr. and
Mrs Walter 5. Logan and Miss Hart.
William Hamilton Gibson, the artist,
entomologist and botanist, is building
commodious house for permanent home,
which overlooks wild and tangled glen,
full Of mysterious sound and stranger
plants. This new preserve of all that
flies and bites, and sing and stings, is sa-
cred to him. Mr. Gibson gives charming
talks in the Gunnery twice a week, upon
nature and her secrets, as discovered by
his observant and untiring eye. Other
mornings in the week in some parlor. or
on some spacious veranda, sweet voic-
ed woman gives readings from history or
literature, which are thoroughly enjoyed
by the ladies. Many of them also find
chance to study painting, in decorative
line, in tiny studio built by E. I'll. Van
Ingen for two artists, who add to the So
cial element the touch and color that on |
ly artists can give.- Brooklyn Life.
A vacation home for working girls is |
to be established in Washington and work |
upon foundation has already begun.
The location of the building is to be on
the highland, east Of Ferry bridge and
back Of the house occupied this summer
by Frank Woodruff. The home will be |
large and commodious, fitted with mod
ern arrangement. The grounds will be
supplied with bowling alley, tennis
courts and other popular means of recre-