The New York herald., 1921-01-23

had left 1t. The Beekman homestead is
celebrated in history as the place where
Nathan Hale, national hero, was held pris-
oner by the British and hanged by them.
The aim of the descendants of Revolution
ary Beekmans to break through the resi-
dental restrictions placed on the sales and
leases of this property may be assumed to
be one Of the causes Of its being neglected
by persons who would like a home so much
desired. by the ancient Romans. rus In
urbe 15s
While it seemed possible that a power
plant Of hideous dimensions capable of COM
pletely shutting out view of the river
coal dump or oil refinery might get foot
ing there, such persons fought shy of Beck
man place. Notwithstanding it's very real ad-
vantages and attractions. The matter was
taken into the courts. as far indeed the
Appellate Division, and the leaseholders and
home owners won. The old restrictions
stand, and 1t is probable that Beekman
place will join the other recognized beauty
spots of the East Side. Nature has been
kind In providing there rare picturesque
quality.
Already Is Recognized by Many
And Figures in Song and Story
OF recent years Beekman places attrac-
tions have been more widely recognized by
artists and literary persons.
Beekman place figures In Henry Harlands
fiction: "As 1t Was Written" and Mrs.
Peixada," published under his pen name of
Sidney Luska about 1884 and the Beekman
house itself furnishes background for sew
eral scenes in the latter novel.
Turtle Bay had a certain rejuvenescence
Of interest In the controversy that arose only
a few months ago over whether Poe did or
did not briefly live there 1t may have been
the newspaper discussion of this subject
that turned the attention of an investor
Mrs. Victor Sorchan. in its direction. At any
rate she bought ten old houses on Forty
eighth street and ten on Forty-ninth street,
back to back. between Second and Third
avenues and developed there a novel colony.
Visitors to the property, who have not
been apprized of its appearance, to-day are
apt to be surprised on account of the Span
ish simplicity pervading the exterior of the
Turtle Bay houses. The real changes have
been made in the interiors, where ugly stair
cases and dust catching corners have been
oblterated and all the Improvements that go
with good modern living have been installed
Space. light and air go with the rent and It
is put up to the tenant to find beauty and
install 1t for himself. The background has
been provided
In the gardens that make delightful the
space between the houses on either street
the Identification has been done and the
tenants have only to enjoy them. 1t Is
astonishing how much space the ugly back
yards which have been changed took up.
and II is equally astonishing to see by what
simple means loveliness of an informal type
has been achieved An ancient we'll curb
around which in an inner court of Italy
contodini have often gossipped. a fountain,
winding walks which cheat distance bor-
dered by carefully pruned box shrubbery
properly placed. these combined form a near
by retreat from noise of the street and from
tho sun In summer that will recall TO many
a former sojourner in ancient London the
sweet. suburban effect Of the gardens of the
Inner Temple.