The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-22
ADDITIONS AND CHANGES.


tion took many years, and during all this
| time Emmett was Continually changing his
| villa. The original plans, made by Emmett
himself in 1880. called for a half Swiss, half
! English cottage, which cost about S25 900.
OF this he made complete paper model
from which he insisted that the architect
| must ork, following every detail of color
and angle faithfully. When finished the
villa was only about half the present size,
but was odd enough to attract general at
! tention. Thereafter its history was one Of
continual alteration and enlargement the
| changes costing the cratic owner something
like $4,000 a year. For each change he
furnished curiously c0lored sketches, many
of which still exist
As the villa stands now it was finished
about four years ago, and Senator Hill is
not likely to make any external changes
What be will do with the Interior is known
only to himself, but 1t is not probable that
many alterations will take place, although
considerable repairing will be necessary.
Once past the Cerberus at the gate, one
advances by broad drive, winding
through trees and BY bold statuary to the
hospitable doors Of the villa. The strange
combination of towers and gables that grew
out of the continuous additions made by
Emmett to his original structure Is 80 feet
wide by l25 feet deep. The prevailing col
ors are dark red and gray.
The main entrance opens into a big octaR-
onal hall called the music room. Here, in a
side niche, stood q great orchestrion, and
scattered about, in Emmet's time, were
The stained glass window contains few
once familiar oars of the music Of "Fritz in
Ireland" From this hall open a variety Of
rooms, all finished 10 warm cherry tints and
all equally odd in shape.
On the left is an octaRonal parlor with
magnificent mantel and curious
canopied ceiling. In ats day the
gold that the original invoice says cost s38
per yard. Farther back is a grand dining
room richly wainscoted and decorated and
beyond this a spacious kitchen. Opening
also from the main hall on the north is a
library, ornamented in white and gold
wherein once stood many cases Of brio-a-
brac gathered from all parts of the world.
HIGHLY oRNAMENTED.
On the west OF the library, extending east
and west, Ia the big billiard room, contain
ing table that originally cost 81 500. IL
was the table and the rich drapings OF this
room that this great day Plinlimmon
wrecked one night several years ago. The
dog was attached to Emmett and OBJ
ieoted to being left behind on one
of the actors trips. he was left
In the billiard room and decided dur
ing the night to follow bis master. In
bis efforts to get out be did damage that
cost over $1,000 TO repair, and finally. as
Emmett used to aver, ate bis way out through
a door.
The browning glory of this floor is a mag
nidcent Turkish bath, finished In ONYX and
colored marble, and having a plunge six
feet in depth. 1t Is somewhat diIapidated
now, but will be fully restored before sena-
tor Hill takes possession OF his property.
From the music room massive carved
cherry staircase leads to the second story,
winding easily around the corners Of tho
octagon. At It's top Is a spacious balcony
overlooking the dining room.
The stairway opens directly upon one Of
the oldest rooms OF the villa-the smoking
room, in which is a very curious mantel
built entirely of cigar boxes, This novelty
Is the handiwork of "Frltz" himself. The
boxes are Of various sizes, and with their
labels and stamps are vanished aud used
entire. In Emmets time this room was
filed with odd furniture and decorated
with rare pipes from all parts OF the world.
One pair shat remember was OF beauti-
fully carved meersohaum and rested in the
center OF the manEel shelf over. thu quaint