The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-20

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of the ever-watchful guardians of the
palace steps up to him and asks: Did
you wish to see some one?" On re-
celVlng a negative reply, instead OF
departing in peace, he 'sticketh closer
than a brother" until the unconscious
offender moves on. Nor will he an
swer any question concerning the
building. Even brides have no effect
on him; he remains as dumb as the
traditional oyster. tal
Notwithstanding all guards and bar
riers in the way, the writer succeeded
in entering the building. and in the
heeting view which he obtained of the
interior he ascertained the following
facts:
In the first place. even in it's present
state of chaotic disorder, one can but
be impressed by the exquisite beauty
of the place. There are two entrances
from the front of the building. The
one nearest Huntington avenue leads
into a narrow corridor, from winch
opens music hall extending along the
entire Huntington avenue side of the
building. At the farther end is the
stage, which is said to be large enough
to seat the entire Symphony Orchestra.
This hall is quite separate from the
remainder of the building.
From the second entrance one enters
a corridor with arches of red brick and
red tiled floor. There are reception
rooms on either side of the entrance.
Following the arched passage one
reaches the courtyard, which occupies
the center of the. palace. This is 50x75
feet in dimensions, and is covered by
roofing of glass. The courtyard is sur
rounded on the lower floor by an ar
cade with beautiful Corinthian columns
of white marble. The three upper
CT xxriYad I'M
on all four sides of the courtyard, each
of which is supported by two white
marble columns.
On three sides of the courtyard on
the lower floor are wide corridors
paved with what is known as blue
stone, or North river tagging, such
as is used for street crossings. In
these corridors many of the much
talked-of art treasures will be placed.
There are several to be seen already.
One of these is an ancient sarcophagus
of marble, with carving of wondrous
beauty, which is valued at $4,000, and
on which Mrs. Gardner paid a duty of
$4,000.
Not far from this one comes upon
niche in the wall in which is placed an
ancient shrine of st. Joseph. Beautiful
bits of has relief and carving are set
into the walls along these corridors.
Two great lions, one, of red and, the
other of white marble. stand at the
end of the. vaulted passage leading, 70
the. courtyard. g.. 90. &c
Marble staircases lead to the moor
above, and under one of these is an
old Florentine drinking fountain. two
boys heads, from whose mouths the
water will flow. In one corner is pas
senger elevator. a-s
The long room which extends across
the front of the palace in the second
story is presumably to be used as
picture gallery The most noticeable
feature of this room at present is the
gorgeous ceiling which was taken from
an Italian palace and set here. in It's
original form. In the center of the blue
and gold squares which form the decor
alton is a large square picture of great
value.
On this same story is a Dutch room,
with quaint hooded fireplace and cell
ing of blacklist oak, the beams so ar
ranged as to form. fifteen, square pan
els, and in these are set paintings by
the old Flemish masters.
On the third floor is a sister room
to the picture gallery, and directly over
it. No one seems to know exactly what
this is to be used for, but 1t is the gen
eral opinion that 1t will contain Mrs.
Gardeners library and her collection of
rare old books. III.
On the third story, directly over the
Dutch room, is an apartment that is
XII own as the Gothic room. The large
rose window, covered with glass,
which Is seen at the rear of the build
ing, is in this room, and on either side
of it are smaller stained glass win
dows. 1t seems to be Mrs. Gardeners
intention to use this room as a chapel,
for il is fitted with carved settles of
black wood, and there is a space left
for the altar. Mrs. Gardeners devotion
to the high Episcopal church Is we'll
known, and TO doubt she will worship
here.
The upper story of the palace is given
over to Mrs. Gardeners own apart
ments and to the servants quarters.
Mrs. Gardeners suite extends across
the front of the building and consists
of a boudoir, sleeping and bath rooms.
A large dining hall, finished in black
oak, extends across the rear of the
building. The rooms are in a very I'M
finished state at present, but one can
see that they will be in keeping with
the rest of the building. The walls of
the boudoir are hung with red tapestry.
which has a conventional design in
gold thread. The bathroom is tiled in
white, and four Inscriptions in Latin
are on the, walls. In the sleeping room
is a beautiful fireplace of carved mar
BILE, which was taken from Mrs. Gard
ner's Beacon street home.
The servants quarters are commodi-
Gus and there are closets and .pantries
enough to satisfy even a New England
housekeeper. From Mrs. Gardeners
boudoir one may step to the lattice
covered veranda, which is over the
music hall The view of the city and
the Fenway which is seen from this
point beggars description.
Although the building contains all
the modern improvements and con-
veniences, these have been so conceal
ed as to in no way mar the beauty of
the architecture or to seem incongru-
Gus with Venice in the middle ages:
The palace will be lighted by cleo
tricity and heated by hot air coming
through openings in the walls. All the
larger rooms have fireplaces with
hoods of various designs. Seen in its
present very unfinished condition. the
palace awes with its exquisite beauty.
What will 1t be when the courtyard is
cleared of the heaps OF rubbish and
filed with grass and foliage, while q
fountain plays in the center; when the
walls of the art gallery are covered
with the works of the old masters;
when the music hall resounds with
the strains of Brahma symphony and
a throng of beautiful women and care
fully groomed men stroll in its mar
BILE corridorsl 1t will be bit OF the