The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-17

courtship. The bathroom is not less mag
nificent in it's way. The tubs and fixtures
cost some 5000 and the Mosaic flooring
must have cost a good deal more.
Most men would think twice before
giving up a nest like this, but Mr.. Wander
bilt is in the fortunate position OF being
able to furnish even a better one for two
or more, I'm case he does intend 10 commit
matrimony in the near future.
But above all his other possessions
George Vanderbilt prizes his country seat
near Asheville in North Carolina.
II Is fact that may not be gainsaid
that all the Vanderbilts have a faculty
OF making their investments self-sup-
porting. and although George Wander
bllt has never seemed to care much about
the family millions, his ventures even in
the purchase of old books and violins have
been such as might be made profitable.
But in no investment made by him has
more shrewdness been shown than in the
purchase and Improvement Of his noun
tain estate In the South. Better still
he has shown in IL, that I'm him there IS
a love Of the artistic, the poetic, the
romantic If you will. that has been sing
ularly lacking in other members Of his
family.
As has been before stated. George Van
mountain estate of his furnishes the
best of proof that this is so. There Is
no home in this country that can equal II
In natural beauty Austin Corbin, the
railroad magnate has magnificent deer
park ia Vermont Or. Seward Webb,
a Vanderbilt by marriage, has In the
Adirondacks a farm and game preserve
that is the wonder Of all who see It. But
Mr.. Vanderbilts place down on the bor-
ders Of the Tennessee mountains surpasses
these. There are old castles on the Rhine,
impressive I'm their Wild and half ruined
condition. There are white chateaus that
hang on the sides OF the Alps that one
dreams Of after seeing them. There are
stately domains I'm England with their
avenues of oaks and waving elms that
have about them that glamour that al
ways surrounds The memory Of very
great men and Of really great deeds
1t has been the good fortune Of Mr..
Vanderbilt to have seen these old world
architectural curios and TO be capable OF
appreaciating them. And in the building
Of his magnificent home I'm the South,
he used the knowledge that he gained not
servilely but with good results.
The spot whore his 5000 acre farm Is
situated is as beautiful as one may nope
10 see on a broad plateau that extends
mountain, the general level Of which Is
near to 5000 feet above the sea ana sur
rounded by mountain peaks more lofty
than any east Of the Rockies, the place
naturally Is a sort Of paradise. Most or
these peaks are clothed to their tops In
trees many Of which are of the same lam
lily that may be found in the Alpine re-
gion. The wild cherry tree here grows TO
"A height Of So feet and the broad valley or
the Ashe is simply fringed With splendid
white pines interpersed With the cucuin-
Der tree. The beech, the poplar, the To-
Gust the lime tree, all flourish on the
mOuG.air sides, and there are OAKS Us
noble as those to be- seen In England.
That abominable machine that has done
so much to ruin the beauty Of this coun-
try, the lawmill, has not Yet mastered
and destroyed the beautiful forest scenery.
From his libary window Mr.. Wander
bilt can see the Blue Ridge, the Aiiegha-
MES and their tributary mountain ranges
rising and stretching away In the distance.
He can see ,Mt Pisgah raising It's pine
clad head more than 5000 feet above the
plateau Black Dome. Clingman's Dome,
Mitchelrs Peak and a scorce or 'nore Of
giants are near by. Between these, like
silver threads, run the French Broad. the
Hiawasee and near half dozen other riv-
ers. He may see II he wishes the spots
over In the Tennessee mountains that
have been made in way famous by the
charming stories OF Charles Egbert Grad
cabins of the mountaineers, who think