The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-04-19
GUESTS At
MOHONK
How They Are Cared
for by the
Smileys.
Boston, Mass, Feb. 10. 1906.


with special interest the Rev Dr.
Scudder's article on Mohonk, l can
but think that the Doctor will not be
displeased with me if I take the liberty
of making a few alterations.
Anyone who knew the Messrs. Smiley
and now knows Mr. Albert K. Smiley
would easily realize how unplea sant
it would be for them at the time of
the prospecting at Mohonk to be ac-
| credited as being wealthy men. They
We're not and made no claims to any
such distinction; in fact, their pro-
| fession as teachers would hardly con-
duce to such a statement
One summer, some years ago, Mr..
ed up into the woods beyond West
Point, from the Hudson River and
came Unexpectedly upon a scene en-
| bracing mountain range. with the
most delightful valley on either side
and in the glen below beautiful
little lake Having a very quick eye
for the beauties of landscape, and the
handiwork of Natures Architect, he
| saw and appreciated at once the posi-
| bilities which lay in the uncultured
| landscape
| That this perception of beauty is in
| nate in him, one need not travel over
the many acres at Mohonk to learn, |
but should perchance his footsteps
| lead him to Redlands, California he |
4 would thara another diSpIav of
taste and management that indicates |
| a master mind.
Sending from his mountain height for |
| his brother back to Providence the |
two canvassed the spot for future pos !
sihilities, and both being of the same |
mind thought it was a place in Gods |
creation worth all the beautifying that |
| man might give to it. They returned |
to Providence, and there, by their |
| earnestness of purpose and well-known !
integrity of character, they succeeded |
in securing q loan of sufficient amount |
to start their enterprise from which |
small beginning it has gone on to the
perfection which it enjoys today
Lake Mohonk stands probably today
among the confessed beauty spots of
the world-no pains or expenditure
have hindered it's onward progress.
/
so that at the present time he is the
undisputed owner of the many acres
that lie around the estate. With adj
n1irable taste he has carved out fine
roadways: he has brought poisoning
flowers from their hiding places ana
shallow pools where they grow in pro-
fusion, and along the sides of the lake
there are walks that can be enjoyed
free from all mo1estation.
The spacious mansion has grown
gradually, has the development of
the grounds. So far as rules are con-
cerned, or may be said to govern the
house, they more in what one
learns than what one sees.
A little account possibly of the re-
ception of guests may Indicate some
thing of the attractiveness of the
house. Approaching the house on the
descending bank by the side of the cliff
above the lake which lies before you,
you cross the bridge that spans it's
head, and drive up beneath the porte
cochere; here guests are generally met
by Mf Smiley with that friendly greet
ing and clasp of The hand that assures
You at once you are not among
strangers. You are. ushe~ed into a
iar"e reception room, ard if it be the
fall of the year, or early spring. a
large fire of six feet logs Eliminates
the room.
The office is a. particularly busy
place every morning and evening when
the mail comes in. 1t is generally |
known about what time il is due, when
guests from all over the house gather
for social intercourse about the table,
while to Mr.. Smiley is brought big
basket containing hundreds of letters,
papers, etc. AS the names of these are !
read off. there is always more or less
recognition of a well-known name or !
individual and the gathering in this
social manner makes it one of the q,
Pleasant incidents of the day If it be Y
at the morning hour, it is Mr.. Smley's
custom, as is well known, to gather s
with those of his friends who are in
clined to do so, in the large parlor ]
a spacious and very beautiful room i'll {
itself. Here Mr. Smiley takes his place
at the head ~of the room, and with
someone at the piano a morning SER
vice is begun; some one or two hymns. |
familiar generally, are given out Mr.. !
Smiley usually himself reads a portion {
OF the scripture, and calls upon some
clergyman (there are always plenty in
the house, 10 offer prayer. This sim I
pie service seems to be of the nature l
OF children coming to the father-noI I
sectarianism, no controversy no dis l
puted points on questions of religion
come up, but heartfelt service in !
which all can be united in thanks !
giving offered to Him who has created !
So much beauty about us and granted
US such high privilege as to enjoy the | !
communicating of friend to fiiend-an- :
tlcipating the larger communion that :
Is to come in the herea frer
There are, necessarily, some rules !
which govern the house within and ;
without. Among these are: 1t is NOT ,
expected that games of cards shall be |
played in any of the public rooms ,
1t is not expected that dancing shall !
be instituted in any of the public .
rooms 1t is not expected that the
Sabbath shall be regarded otherwise |
than as a sacred day. There is a rule .
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