Arizona republican., 1908-03-17
A Society Woman's S5OO,OOO Gym
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Mrs John Jacob Astor. the beautiful wife of the millionaire. who is well known in New York and London society. has probably the most perfectly appointed private gyT>lsium in the world. This Palace of Games" as It has been called. was built expressly by Colonel Astor for his wife at their Rheinbeck-On-theH Hud- son eState and commands the most beau tiful scenery.
 It has taSen nearly three years to com plete. costing in material and labor alone close on half a million dollars Mrs. As tor. young beautiful the leader Of the Pour Hundred" and almost as well Euown in English society. is an expert at an kinds of athletics. and there are few cf her country women who can match her iu swimming. diving. fencing. tennis. golf. skating. riding and driving.
 ''Ferncline.' the country home of the American Astors. though one of the oldest houses on the Hudson. possesses little of that magnifceBce which one usually as- sociatcs with American milliOnaires hnt 1t commands one of the most superb views of the world
 The Tennis House" as Mrs. Astor pre- fers to call the gymnasium. has been built at a slightly lower altitude than the house in order tbat this magnificent view might not be ohstrueted.
 The group of buildings which go to make up the Tennis House" Is shaped like T. the stem of the letter being formed by the great steel arched tennis court The entrance hall. or Resting Hall.' as 1t Is quaintly called. Is a mag niicent apartment. lofty and spacious. the walls as well as the Corinthisn columns which support the roof being of the finest white marble. From the central panel of the roof hangs a wonderful electrolicr of gilt. containing q thousand electric bulbs, which illumine the hall in a most dazzling manner From the White walls spring other electroiiers which add to the bril- Iiancy of a light which might. perhaps. be painful were 1t not that each electric bulb is beautifully modulated in color and shade. Innumerab,e double doors of French glass face each other on every side. The fireplace is 12 feet high and wide in proportion. so that 10 or a dozen people could hide themselves in Its cav ernous depths.
 The maEtel Is superbly carved marble and came from some ancirnt palace of Rome. The furniture is in red plush and leather and extremely massive. one couch being big enough to accommodate IS per sons The floor is inlald with maple wood. and when the floor is cleared for dancing 1t will accommodate 300 couples.
 In the eastern wing is the ''plunge' or pool. where guests may swim and dive to the hearts content. The walls of this remarkable swimming bath are of white marble, tue plate glass roof being sup ported by huge monollths of the finest Quarried marble.
 The pool Is 9 feet wide, 60 feet long and IA feet deep at the deepest end, shal- lowing on to three feet at the eastern eJ- tremity. The water is pumped direct from the Hudson River, and though there are elaborate arrangements for heating 10 any temperature. both Mrs. Astor and her guests prefer. in mild weather ar least. the water as lt comes direct from the river. By touching a button the depth of the pool may be instantly regulated and. if desired emptled entirely within a few minutes. The plunge is surrounded by gallery. where visitors may watch the aquatic sports. which are one of the fea- ANAtS 0A tue tuttA t<t41-A-NAA9 et NA-~-A-@N during each season.
 From the poo, a door leads tO the mas sage-rooms furnished with slabs of pol ished marble and presided over by skilled operators, while nearby are the ladies' and gentlemens dressing rooms. each fur nished in as perfect manner as thought and money can devise. Returning to the tres ting hall'' one passes through another door and immediately steps upon a bal cony which overloOks the tennis court probably the most perfect indoor court of the kind in America. IL is two stories high. 1e5 feet long and 75 feet wide. The roof is arched like a cathedral. and from the big skylight comes all the illumina ton, the players require. At midday. when the sun pours down through the roof-which can he opened to the sky curtains of cheesecloth are drawn sc that the players eyes are protected.
 The flooring is of beaten clay, which Ia believed to be far less tiring to the feet than asphalt, and the courts are marked with ordinary whitewash. On either side of the net are benches for the players. but the spectators are expected to keep to the balcony. Mrs. Astor Is one of the best amateur tennis players in America. and she spends a considerable portion of her time al the nets.