The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-20

is composed entirely of local stone, with mullioned windows and heavy slate roof, while the many gables add considerably to Its picturesque effect. The back of the house Is from an artis- tic point of view perhaps more inter esting than the front. for here the ir- regularity in the architecture Is more apparent.
 The alterations and renovations which it has been necessary to make have been carried out in the true spirit of restor- ation and in no instance has the charac- ter been obliterated. An old thatched barn above the house has been converted into a garden room,'' where Mime. de Navarro and her friends often take tea while watching games of croquet or ten ris on the adjacent well kept lawns.
 And here, too, on warm summer even ings coffee is served after dinner. An other outbuilding has been converted into fives court, and nearby an artificial lake has been constructed, where Master Tony spends many hours sailing his model yachts.
 The grounds and gardens are exten- sve and beautifully laid out, as is only to be expected when Alfred Parsons, the famous artist, was responsible therefor. Near the house itself are fine lawns and artistic flower beds, but as one ascends the slope up the hill the old wild char acter of the country asserts itself Here trees of massive girth flourish and wild flowers grow in profusion, while a tiny stream bubbling over rocks and boulders and crossed by a rustic bridge completes scene of wild beauty.
 Approaching the house one enters the rose garden, where climbing roses of various hues are trained over innumer- able arches, and other varieties, both standard and bush, grow luxuriantly | What delightful peep of the old world | is gained as one hears the little grass plot adjoining. Here, surrounded by fine yew hedges of innumerable years growth, is a quaint old sundial. The courtyard, too, carries out the same idea. and wha, a pretty glimpse of this is obtained from | the dining room windows. Varieties of l swings are arranged In the grounds, on which charming little maiden, tiny replica of her mother. disports herself
 If the exterior of the house and grounds calls to mind the good old days" the in- terior Is even more impressive. A tiny hall containing ancient oak furniture lends to large artistically shaped lounge or inner hall. This is neatly lined with valuable books, many of the modern ones being presentation copies from the au- thors, while winding from the center of the apartment Is a beautiful black oak staircase which delights the lover of the antique The walls are of panelled oak and the ancient beams of the ceiling are I.black with age
 The fireplace Is quite in character with the rest and contains large open hearth with iron dogs and bucket for the fire it. self. Above the whole hang the old fix | ings met with in the very few old farm houses in the Cotswold district, and sus- pended therefrom Is a huge black iron | kettle. How homelike are the fagots which blaze away, dispelling the win : ter's cold and throwing brilliant light into | the room, at the same time casting deer | shadows into the many hooks and the walls and table, but perhaps one of the most unusual possessions is a framed stole, most beautifully embroidered ir gold. purple and scarlet, which was worr
 by his holiness Pope Leo XIII and pre-. sented to M. and Mms. de Navarro by
 Father Bernard Vaughan.
 A fine easement window with deep win. dow seat looks out onto the garden Lead.
 ing from here is the schoolroom where
 many childish possessions are display ed
 and away toward the other wing is tn,
 huge music room, also oak panelled, anc
 still further Mime. de Navarro's sanctun and the study of M. de Navarro The
 right wing contains the comfortable, ar
 tistcally lighted dining room, conven
 iently situated with regard to the kitch | ems