The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-23

all residences in the town, and beneath
its roof were given the most splendid en-
tertainments of those times. 1t became
known for the brilliant balls and the king
ly feasts which were had there, and there
are many elderly residents of Savannah
to-day who can recall the great pomp and
display which marked the social func-
tons which occurred there many years
ago.
1t is CHASTITY picture the old house pre-
sents to-day when one is made to think
Of the gay scenes Of revelry and social en-
joyment which were once enacted within
its stately walls. The great columns In
front, supported by the ponderous stone
2ortico and supporting in turn the quaint
roof of the stoop, are crumbling beneath
the touch of time and the stone steps are
worn deep and smooth on both sides. The
great hall in the center leading from the
front door to a cross hall, which in turn
Formerly led to the winding stairway on
he right, has been blocked with a large
stairway leading directly from the front
door to the second story through the ar
cade. In old days there was an arcade
y on each floor OF the house. the same size
all the way to the roof and directly above
these arcades on the roof was beautiful
sky-llght, or dome upon which there was
an enchanting painting by an artist Of de-
gree The painting represented nothing
but the heavens, and gave the effect
10 the upturned eye below of the natural
sky The stranger within the gates of
the hospitable man of this estate was al
most Invariably deceived by tins painting
and thought when looking overhead he
was seeing the skies naked and bare to
the eye, until upon close inspection he re-
allied the mistake. The frescoing about
the great high walls of the mansion was
artistic and in keeping with the magnifi-
cence Of the general environment.
Around the arcades on each floor are
wooden ratings, and on the third floor
there was in former days a great hall
which completely encompassed the space
which has since been turned into the two
front rooms
There was a stone wall around the place
IN former days, and part of 1t still re-
mains and the old gateway on the right
which used TO lead to the stables and car
rage house Is still marked by its classic
pillars plastered over with gray cement,
now hinged with yellow and marked with
NOISY decaying spots-the finger prints of
q century.
one of the most interesting parts Of the
ancient mansion is the banquet hail, a
ong narrow room extending the full
WON Of the house in the rear on the first
l'o9r' Here it was that the great dinners
enc royal spreads were enjoyed when the
l-.e was the home place OF William Scar
~, 'lsn. the merchant prince OF Savan-
~ The hospitality partaken OF by Wis
~ M WIS hall was famed throughout the
me statesmen and wits OF that day
- NIhr' the gentlemen and ladies highest
.1efed there many a time and
he walnuts and vine" who Knows
great schemes were laid great deeds
lFtiry planned and affairs OF the
l'1 discussed.
thorough was a great pillar IN
.iinercial and business structure OF
''''l n those days as well as one
princeiy entertainers. II was
s was O. leader In the movement 10
.-,.. '-- nfst steamboat across the At
or, ocean. lie was a member OF the
4 ais hhown as THE Savannah Navl-
/ rDnpany" which caused the City
\ .r- IMAM. the frst steamboat 10 per.
Ia, .a leat, 70 be built. The steam.
T.F Ne 70 Savannah March g. 1919 and
.t,.,'- -.n mere to Liverpool. May o. sew.
Nf years ago last Thursday. Port
.al ''.s was the style OF the firm Sc
Cant. slperintcnd the building OF the
lr,-.... DO New Yorl, for the Savannah
fi. end when she was turned over
savannah the orders were given
Tfr.. 'ai 10 cross the Atlantic. and
-hy-two days voyage Il steam