The Washington times., 1904-05-15

I There are tables and settees and two
superb French cabinets to help furnish
out the room. The floor is inlaid IN
maple. for here. when the Astors have
house parties. those hidden will dance.
Stepping out back of the room one
comes upon the balcony that looks ont
Oh the tennis court. This Is no half
way court. where one may only play
at the game. IL is scientifically built.
and as well adapted for keen play as
the best OF the outdoor courts 1t is
t1O stories high and 125 feet long by IS
feet wide. The roof rises in q grace
fui arch. and huge skylights let In the
light OF day. Steel Orders support the
rounded roof and sides. which are built
OF fireproof brick, laid diagonaliy.
: Fins Tennis Court
There. laid out below. you are priv
ileged to behold the finest indoor ten
mis- court in the world. The flooring Is
OF beaten clay marked out by white
wash. Two sturdy posts hold UP the
lInen-meshed net On either side are
big benches for the players. Spectators
keep TO the balcony. Windows let in
light at the sides and back sufficient 10
keep UP play while the sun shines, but
u flood of more light pours do8E
through the skylights. Huge shades of
white cheesecIoth are arranged to keep
out the sun when II beats down on the
court at midday.
Tennis is Mrs. Astor's favorfte game.
She and Colonel Aston are very spirited
players. as many cups won at New
port attest Mrs. Aston plays daily
when she is at Ferncliffe. with skill
and igor that would put many many d man
some OF her male. guests. Every. day
at Ferncliffe finds her racquet in hand.
Two Squash Courts.
A step down the balcony and one is
ward another big glass door. Step in.
Here are the two squash courts. both
perfect of their kind. Squash has hard
ly been In this country five years. yet
in popularity II only comes after golf
and tennis. 1t Is played with regular
tennis racquets and a regulation tennis
ball.
The courts have three sides OF smooth
hardwood, reaching to the sky-lighted
ceiling The fourth side is backed UP
only four feet. and above 1T is a net.
The game Is played exactly like tennis.
save that there are no nets. and the
balls may bounce around the angles OF
the sides before touching the floor
The Astor squash courts are finished
in dark wood; those who have been bid
den to play in them come away loud
in their praise. Colonel Astor was one
OF the first TO play squash In America;
the games foremost exponents. For
hard exercise, for working of superf1u-
Gus flesh and for generally tonine in
the system few games equal squash 1t
is even more strenuous than tennis.
while it discounts golf for exercise 100
TO ].
Marble Plunge Bath.
Take the left wing. then the way leads
down a long parqueted hall 10 the mar
BILE plunge. one OF the finest private
baths in the country. 1t is white marble
from floor TO ceiling. Monoliths of mar
BILE support the roof, which Is all steel
and plate glass. Before YOU is the swim
ming pool. 1t is 20 feet wide, so feet long,
and IA feet deep at its deepest part.
shelving back 20 feet at the other end.
In winter the water may be warmed 10
the proper temperature, II desired. Cen
orally II flows into the pool at the tenn
perature or the outside air
All within Is marble save the plunge
itself. All the fittings in this princely
pool are OF shining brass. Among other
conveniences Mrs. Astor may regulate
the depth of the water by turning "A
single valve Leading from the bath is
the massage room. fitted with marble
slabs. Just beyond in this wing is the
ladies' dressing room. Here maid
waits on Mrs. Astor and ner guests. and