Evening star., 1932-03-13

entire Colonies Often in his diary Washington
tells of having received from the orchard of
Col. Mason graftings of pear and cherry trees.
AS early in their friendship as 1850 Mr.. Wash
ington refers to "12 black graftings of pears
from Col. Masons orchard. These are large
Course Fruit for Baking" (Mr. Washington was
also good housekeeper)
Gunston Hall considered less from these per-
sonal associations and more from an architec-
tural viewpoint is interesting example of
the Southern Colonial manner. In the method
of execution and in the use of ornamental de-
tails it is strongly suggestive of the more classic
Georgian. One first glimpses its pillars and
welcoming portico through the vista of drive
way bordered by clipped boxwood OF red brick,
supported at the sides by stone quoins, the
house is a low-lying agreeable structure. -Four
chimneys rise from its gambrel roof The gray
stone steps are pleasantly worn by the feet of
generations.
The instant the front door is opened one sees
through the wide rear door boX-lined path
and catches quick, spicy scent. Although the
historic rooms are here to be admired, the gar
den and its Elusive fragrance are very tempting
First, however, one must stop and appreciate
the mahogany-railed stairway that ascends
from the back of the hall, just behind graceful
double arches that meet in center ornamen-
tation of a pineapple pendant
THE most interesting room, historically, is the
study Though serene in mind Col Mason
was troubled in body by gout-the curse of in
dulgent ColonalS. He spent many hours in his
study. Here he received visits from soldiers
and statesmen eager to learn the ideas of 'the
wisest man in Virginia" Here were expressed
opinions later the nucleus of events of tre-
mendous Importance in the struggling new
Nation.
1t was undoubtedly in this very room that
the famous Bill of Rights was formulated, if
not written. Therefore it is particularly ap-
propriate that Mr.. Hertle, the last owner of
Gunston Hall, should have placed over the
mantel an enlarged Photographic copy of the
document.
Architecturally, the study is distinguished by
two deep. high book shelves with arched heads
and fan-shaped transoms, more like cupboards
with doors than book shelves. These are typi-
cal of the generations taste for ornamental de-
tails in domestic architecture.
The drawing room Is the most interesting
room in appearance in the mansion. It's walls
Of plain pine boards cut from trees on the
estate. When Mr.. Hertle began the work of res
toration he removed seven layers of paper
covering the pine. The walls in their original
state were doubtless draped with silk Now
the wood, beautifully grained and darkened by
age makes a rich background for the white
woodwork of doors and windows The doors,
framed in Corinthian columns form an unusual
treatment in a Colonial house. In the draw
ing room are two open semi-circular cupboardS
or inches with delicate, carved ornamentation
of broken pilasters. These the earliest
examples in the country of open inches.
The carving of the adjoining drawing room
is an exquisite example of Chinese Chippen-
dale. Here, too, the windows are not only deep
set, but tall Deep-set windows were common
in Colonial houses, but tall ones were not. The
dining room is lovely with the fine proportions
and the graceful wood carving characteristic
of the rest of the mansion.
From the portico at the has
broad view Of the garden One of the finest in