The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-09-03
\ VISIT TO THE BOUNTIFUL
SOUTHLAND.
BI THE. EDITOR.
tlnNTNEEn

BY THE EDITOR.
(CoNTINUEDD
1t IS a grand panorama that meets the
view from the mountain heights of .Ashe-
Vile. The vision will linger in memory
long after it is lost to the physical sight.
Our anticipations were more than realized,
and although we had to tarry in Ashcvillc
two days in order to secure the privilege
of visiting Bitmorc, we were more than
repaid for the trouble. The gracious mil
lionairc opens the gateway 10 his Park
only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and
then the eager visitor is never allowed to
pass beneath the archway except when
vouched for by letter from some rcpu-
table citizen ofthe city. | sought the kind
assistance of Il brother quill-driver, and
procured from Editor Richardson Of the
Ashcville citizen letter of credit, stating
that | was bona fic soiourner in the
city and not an cNcurSioniSt. Thus armed
| entrusted myself and family to the ten
der mercics of doing ,Jehu in & livery
landau, and started for the Vanderbilt cS-
tate.
1t must be remembered that Mr. Wander
bilt selected the location for his country
home after years of travel and observation.
The site is ideal. The park lies between
the French Broad and the Swannannoa
rivers, and embraces about $4,000 acres.
Beyond this is the hunting preserve, con-
tanning 125, 900 acres 1t is said that one
can ride for thirty miles without passing
beyond the domain of George W. Wander
bilt. Our drive was first along the rush
ing waters of the French Broad over 4
magnificent macaGamiZed road which
winds around among the hills and wales
and mountain heights for twelve miles.
On either side of the driveway rare flowers
from every cline are planted, and the air
is burdcncd with the perfume of honey
suckle which seems to hang from every
rock. Spruce trees are mingled With bal
sam and pine in the attempt to add arti-
fetal ornament to the beauties of nature
with which every hillside is clothed. 1t is
hard to tell where nature ends and art be-
gins As | drove along, numerous work
men were passed, cultivating and fertiliz-
irg the beautiful plants and flowers by the
roadside.
The mansion is thought to be the finest
in no ,ynr1l 4 NJ ID
man, who had travelled much, toldme that
the castles in Europe had nothing that the
Biltmore house does not possess except
antiquity Itrests upon an cmincncc ,, 800
feet above sea level overlooking a large
part Of the park \ half-hundrcd noun
tain peaks rise in the distance. 1t Is 4
granite chateau of massive proportions
with an csplanade in front. -Four years
were spent in the building of this wonder
full palace, and during the past two years,
since its completion, Mr.. Vanderbilt has
been collecting from all parts of the world
ornaments and curios to add to its inter
Tor attractions. OF course, the public is
never allowed to enter the house. Some
times by special favor Il tour of the stables
is allowed. | was told that the mansion
contains library which fills two stories
of the west wing; that there are banquet
ing halls, billiard rooms, swimming pools
and baths On one side, nearest the IL
brarv, there is a tennis court, enclosed
with a beautifully carved marble wall.
Our loquacious Jehu, who was also actin g
as our cicerone, said it cost $4,000, but
this we took cum grdno sails as we did many
other Of his marvellous statements. 1t is Il
matter of comment among the intelligent
people of Ashcviie as to the ridiculous
stories which are circulated with regard to
Biltmore by the hack drivers and others
about the city.
The flower garden and nursery in a
valley, and along the sides, of two high
hills formed beautiful picture. There
the trees and shrubs for the park are
grown, and there every flower, which will
grow in that genial climate, sheds its per
fume A graduate of Harvard is in charge
of the botanical department, and lives in Il
beautiful cottage in the midst of the flower
garden.
But l must not forget to speak of the
dairy and that herd of 400 magnificent
Jerseys, the very choicest that money can
procure. We passed through the stable,
and saw these grand animals of all ages
with sleek glossy coats and Ian enid ewes
enjoying all the luxuries and comforts
that careful and skilled attendants could
supply. And the cows in turn furnish the
larger part of the milk and butter con-
sumed in the city of Ashevlle, the Bit
more dairy wagon being familiar sight
upon the streets.
There is a railroad station on the estate
by the same name and here Mr.. Wander
bit has erected principally, for the benefit
Of the 600 or more employees on .he farm,
a beautiful Episcopal Church, and pre-
scented it to the parish. He pays the
preacher, the orgahiSt and choir: and The
Rector in charge told me that whenever
Mr.. Vanderbilt is at Biltmore he attends
service, sitting with the laborerS on the
farm, oticiates as vestryman and hands
around the plate the offerings being all
devoted to charity
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Columbia, Tennessee, is prosperous
town of about five thousand located near