Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-07-17
4 MagnIilcentIy Finished Home.

THIS section tOudy - ploDAuiy tuett VI NA =.
William w. Rouss, in this county. His
residence, Shannon Hill. " is the famous
old Rouss ancestral home, where his
father, the late Peter H. Rouss. lived for
many years, and to which his brothers.
the late Charles Broadway Rouss and
Capt. Milton Rouss. returned after serv-
ing with honor in the Confederate army.
shannon Hill" is situated beautifully on
the west bank of the Shenandoah, with
a pcturesquese sweep of this river of sto-
ried song in its front, and just on the other
side charming Shannondale Springs.
where in years agone the mightiest men
were wont to come for recreation and re-
storation to bouvant health.
The home OF Mr.. and Mrs. Rouss is
handsome and commodious brick struc-
ture. combining elegance with comfort
and convenience Recently Mr.. Rouss
has had engaged in its interior adornment
some of the most eminent artists of both
hemispheres. First came the representa-
tives of The Louis A. Deter Company.of
Baltimore and prepared all the ground
work. besides, executing elegant decora-
tons IN the front and back parlors. The
walls were all well prepared with plaster
of paris, canvass and lead. so that there
is no possibility of their cracking
On entering the mansion we find the
front and rear halls beautifully colored III
a red tulip tint. with ceilings of cream
Japanese paper. Wisteria, chrysanthe-
NUNS and peoples predominant in the
floral decorations. whilst the most at
tractive birds-pheasauts, peafowl, etc
abound, with butterflies here, there and
everywhere. The leading feature here is
probably golden pheasant perched upon
branch of wild magnolia. The large
front transom is also handsomely adorn-
ed with trailing vines. The chief deco
rations are by Mr., t, Aoki, the eminent
Japanese artist, and in the DINING room
probably his best work is to be seen.
The ground here is dark green canvass
with light green Japanese paper. Here
the famous lotus flowers are shown in
profusion, and Mr. Rouss having seen
them in their natural state along the Nile,
pronounces them perfect reproduction.
Of the birds the snipe isshown in various
sizes. of which there are six in the world
the Japanese the largest and the Amer
lean the smallest. Wild ducks, cranes
and other birds appear. and striking
scene is that of a hawk upon an upper
branch of a tree closely eying frog on
a branch below, which it evidently IN
tends to gobble up for square meal
A large crane standing upon the end of
a bamboo branch, with other smaller
cranes in flight. form pretty picture.
On one side appears spider on web,
about to come down after butterfly.
The centre piece is large lotus leaf, with
bird looking through opening after
spider. Butterflies abound in every direc-
ton.
The front parlor, in which the Dieter
Company's finest work is shown. has
rich looking sidewalks of dark green
tapestry, with delicate green ceiling, on
which lifelke cupids sport within an oval
centre piece. On panel over the hall
door Aoki has placed pretty brocade
pheasant resting upon flower branch.
The back parlor has pink sidewalks and
ceiling, and is decorated with pink, white,
lavender. green and yellow peonies.
Cupids adorn the ceiling. as in the front
parlor.
Enpassant we may remark that Mr.
Rouss has in his front hall large chrys-
anthemum cut out of solid ivory, and
that just above the first landing isa finely
painted dragon upon superior eight
foot piece of Japanese mating. which
the artist Aoki sent to Mrs. Rouss previous
to coming on here.
The work of these artists. especially
the magic touches of Aoki's brush, upon
the interior of the Shannon Hill'' man.
sion. is something almost wonderful
The decoration is exquisitely rich, yet
not in the last gaudy or loud, and the
soft colors blend with beauty and har-
mony on every side. Mr,and Mrs. Rouss
have home of which they may Justly be
proud, and the SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON
wishes them long life and much happi.
ness in its possession.