The morning times., 1896-06-14

weaves a considerably compact account of
the mansion house and its original masters
history.
THE MANSION OF GUNsTON.
Gunston Hall is built on plans almost ex-
actiy similar to stratford. the Lees home
in Westrnoreland, and Audley, the Lewis
home IN Clarke county. At least this liz
i'll common, that all the apartments are
on one floor, as if the builders We're fearful
that If the houses We're too high they
would fall down, or that unless the roofs
were very steep they would not turn the
rain.
Tue brick of which the manor is built
was brought from Scotland as ballast
for the ships, and are double the size of
modern brick. They We're put together
with mortar made OF crushed oyster
shells. So durable is its consistency that
in cases of blasting the brick and not the
mortar have Offered the least resistance,
but both were SO hard, however, as to
resist the hammer or pick. The roof is
immensely large ana sharp-pointed. and
at the four corners shoot four tall Chin
neyS, which are visible at a considerable
distance. The upper chambers receive light
through dormer windows. The porch is
half octagonal in shape and aged in ex-
trene. Its steps, worn with the feet of
many generations, are almost followed
out. The broad hall, which has always
been the lounging place for the family
and guests, extends the width OF the manor.
A stairway, with landing overlooking,
carved in solid mahogany, leads from the
hall to the chambers above.
In this hall is shown the table on which
it is known that Thomas Jefferson wrote
portions of the Declaration of Independ-
ence, and here. too. it is probable were
passed many of the rare evenings it is
known that George Washington spent with
the master of Gunston. From the gun
racks are now missing the fowling pieces
with which the two eminent men went
stalking deer on the broad, forested land
round about. The ceilings are very high,
as becomes the majesty OF SO distinguished
home.
The drawing room is ornamented with
curious carving, tile work, according to
tradition, of conyicts sent from England.
The doors are OF mahogany, with exuuis-
itely carved panels, bordered with orna-
mental frames. The whole interior, in
fact, is mass of wainscoting, punching.
carving in pine, mahogany and other woods
dark, antique, durable and suggestive of
another age than ours-the decorations be-
ing a combination of the Corinthian and the
flower and scroll work of the old French,
architecture. No better example can be
found of the tastes of wealthy Virginians
Of the eighteenth century.
When this old home was In its prime
PENNSYLVANIA avenue was an alder thicket;
there were no railways. no telegraphs no
gas, no daily newspapers: men Travelled i'm
stage coaches or in great. numbering private
cliariots drawn by four OF six horses, over
rough and uneven roads: they burned wax
or tallow candles. and sent to London for
every suit of clothes. new book or bottle of
wine they happened to want. Meantime
log fires blazed in huge fireplaces and long
tables groaDed under a prOfusion of every
thing catable and drinkable, and comfort
and happiness was the rule.
THE MASoN-FAIRFAX DUEL.
Upstairs hall divides the house length
wise. and in the northwest corner chamber
you are shown the blood spots on the floor
where Mason did away with Fairfax.
The Fairfax estate is across the mouth of
the bay. which runs in at Gunston. IE gala
style the scioDs of the old English nobility
used TO come TO visit the Aasons at Gunston
Hall. They We're radiant in powdered
wigs. Silk breectes and brocaded coats and
rode IN their coach. dra wn by four prancing
steeds- The horn sang from distance of
their coming.
One night, when all the gentry OF the
neighborhood were assembled, 60 the story
has been handed down. and Gunston was
bright with many candles and cfeerfui
with much Inerrimenf. a Mason and Fair
fax had hot words There was only one re-
course in those days-a duel So with
none other than their seconds they repaired
to an upper chamber aud in the small
radius OF the corner room fought by the
nickering candle light, while the fair DANES