The New York Herald Newspaper, August 29, 1869, Page 4

is mainly as these ¢wo reciprocal THE HUDSON. ITS BEAUTILS AND SCENERY. How and Where the Craesuses of New York Dwell. The Palisades---Are They Susceptible of Improvement ? LANDSCAPE, ART AND ENGINEERING. Among the cultivated acres and broad lands of Hamilton and Essex conntles, in this State, in the midst of a certain wildness that will ever preserve its primeval characteristics, even when opposed to the advanced arm of clvihzation, ina region where the picturesque Adtrondacks rear their lofty heads, and at an elevation of 4,000 feet above the level of the sea, mses that beautiful stream, which Hendrik Hudson consecrated to his daring nearly 300 years ago. Atthe confluence of the highland lakes form- ing the Read waters of the Hudson, the fairest and most navigable of American rivers, can be seen and traced, upward to the small rivulet and leaping brook, or from their union in Essex county south- ward along its majetic sweep, a distance of 190 mules, and whose entire width has a varying measure of from 300 to 700 yards, and while following its serpentine course is hel@up in panoramic splendors, the eleva- ied and gently rising banks covered with a downy verdure, suifused with the flush of the loveliest landscape, and dotted with fine mansions and quiet farm houses, as well as thriving towns and peaceful hamiets; the proud emivences, planted by the hand of nature with vigorous oaks, spreading elms, aigantic hickories and the mountain ash, ascending w heights of many bunired feet with sphinx-like ueads, foliage-covered skulls, while touching the wisty sky With round amd bold outlines, yet softly anaded with the biue and azure clouds; the culti- voted flelds, extendimg away into the intertor, abundant in corn, tch in meadow lands, with har- vest tpon harvest of the rarest trait and vast acres of promising grain: the magnificent scenery, rising avruptly from the water's edge, on the western snore among the Highlands, and sweeping in the direction of another warer course toward the Hackensack river, through a country which has a promising future now (that the recently built rail- road has commenced its operations; those historic pointa, ag well us sublime creation—the massive cif, Break Neck, Cro’ est, Sugar-ioaf Mountain, Anthony’s Nose, Dunderberg, meaning “Tnunder Mouutain”—a riame now famous 4s the pantronimic of W. fl. Webb's enormons sea monsier—which marvels of the sublime and picturesque have been the theme for poets, the stady of naturalists and the wonder of world-wide travellers; the more practical, yet not every day eights that are hourly transpiring at West Point, the root of American giory—“Where Washington fought and Arnold fell, to ring the sound of treason’s knell.” Where the Military Academy that reared Scott and Tuyior, Grant and Sherman flourishes at a higher state of eMciency that it has ever before attained, and where the landscape beauties, whether of broad = noon-day or twilight dimpess, still exit In their never changing attractive- ness, making the observer admire until his adiniration is surieited, if sach @ thing can ever be. All of these pictur with the’ beautiful bay at Haverstraw, that freak of nature, the Palisades, with their rocky and perpendicular sides, thetr crest-capped forests and the scattered inhabitants living beneath their deep shadows, the numerous silets, the deep coves, the wooded dingles moved into @ palpitating animation by fresh winds and rustic vapors—this grand whole washed vesterday whea The wertern waves of ebbing day el War 2 ug tite. Was simply the Hudsoa—“ouly this aud nothing more,” Yet this ts not ail that can be said even in a gene- ral way of this most majestic of rivers. At its mouth lies the great city of New York, without which the Hudson would be as destitute as without is source; and New York without its Hudson would never have been the New York of to-day. It helpmeets mutually affect each other; as the Hudson has con- tributed to the financial and commerctai prosperity of New York on the one hand, and as New York has assisted to develop and make conspicuous the en- dnring beauties of the Hudson on the other; as the city has matured from an infant settiement, destl- tute of enterprise and commerce, into a mighty metropolis, pushing its activity and capital into tne remotest corners of the earth; and as the Hudson, keeping pace, has converted her wild slopes and ragged mountains into garden spots and delightful retceata, now unrivalled in the world, that we propose to’ consider in this article. No one of mature years can appeal to his memory of the snburban history of New York, without being aware of the almost simultaneous growth of the tiandin landed advancement with the Hudson in horticultaral and agricuitural wealth. No imposing mansion for some few years back has been contem- plated on the “avenue” by sudden possessors of wealth without its counterpart—in fact twin sister—a villa on the Hudson, The rush in this di- rection, and for this purpose, 1s Incredible to one unacquainted with the facts; yet it is hardly strange ‘uat those who toil for gain, who amass fortunes by unwearted effort and secure the means of an elegant living, should seek a qaiet though beautiful spot upon whtoh to lavish their money in rustic delights, and anally select the Hudson, above which no other stream in the world has such grand landscapes, tow- ering trees, henitby ci.mate and cultivated soil, The moveme nt up the river ility years ago was, of course, a comparatively siight one. ‘ihen, or for some years preceding that time, only such settlers as the gifted and polished Irving, old patroons like Vau Renn- aelaer, Cooper, Paulding and Van Cortlandt held their ancestral estaces; while the sturdy Knicker- bockers improved their industriously acquired landa and materrally assisted to bulid up that old colony which still boasts iis pre-eminence in Ameri- can socte'y and politics, The isiand improved, population increased, trade multipin and New York became the ouvg = giaot in the markets of the world. With the newly made fortunes the left bank of the Hudson began to as- same something of tis present aspect of capacious mansions, well cut lawns, thinged ont groves and planted gardens. The era of New York's greatest prosperity has come, aud with it the incomparable beauties OW lining the left bank, showing a refine- ment in ita sphere—the highest sphere, too—not matehed by the productions of Oriental ingenuity, the iflcence of Eastern imagery or the height- ened effects of the tropical South, The Hudson, it is true to gay, 18 the most beautitul as weil as the sub- limest of rivers; but ali this would be no grander than the unpeopled domains of the Yosemite and the Mississippi valleys did pot its shores show signs of the highest style of landscape gardening, the most intricate grouping of incongruous objects, and the well ved unity and simplicity, speaking with @ t but potent voice in the aelightful pla the Moping sward, the linked coves and delis, the charming flower plots, the tasteful mansions and tne almost numberless elegant places chained together from. Albany to Spuyten Duyvil ci , and Washington ‘hts, the furthest south. ern point. Yet rew peopie w-of the bigh state of cultivation, the massive mansions, the unique styles of architeccure and general condition of the “villas” on the river @t this day. jally is this 80 of the places upon Washing Aeights and of the tract of country between Yonkers and the Harlem river. It: has been estimated by & not en- thusiastic gentiemao, reaiding . on Wastington Heights above fifteen years, and whose opinions are as accurate as trustworthy in othor regal that not 4,000 people who are not inhabitants of/the imme- diate district have ever been upon wat. spot as visitors. He asserted, with positive truth, that even those Myaways, Wuo are simply occupants of town mansions, Who go to Saratoga to drittin the whirl of annual exctiement, who affect fine fortunes, Eu- ropean travel and French names, with @ pedigree extending .back beyound the creation of the world, and who pretend to have seen everything, have never been and are not now acquainted with the select beauties and redinements of vhis quarter. ihe greatest surprise 1 expressed py all who own estates in this region at their com- parative iwolavion. Weil may they. No casties on rhe Rhine, no dreary bulwarks of the Danube, and uo garaished palaces of tue Thames are as worthy of inspeotion, or will repay the same degree ot satisfac- (on a6 ® brief section along the Hudson, say from Jorsey City to Youkers. wut the great places of the great lords, the Crasauses of Manhattan, on the leit NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 1869.—1'KLPLE SHEET, commence fn: their resplendent beau- eben tue viotnity of loath street, and this reached by easy drives, if the traveller ugh Fifth avenue, up the east drive of the rk to Lioén street, down Harlem: lane to Eighth avenue, and up Kighth avenue to 126th street, Taking the.direction of this street, he soon turns in- to the Bloomingdale road, where the splendid places | are upon the elevated riage, to the left. All along the Bloomingdale road the country is stillim the semi-settied state that i was a quarter of acentury ago. Frame houses supplemented by noxious smelling stables and filtny pig-pens; non- fragrant hennertes and foul kitchens extend on each side, aud af short intervals a respectable looking house rises from a thicket of tail trees. In the vicwity of Manhattan the Bloomingdaie road ts in disgraceful coudition—a conaition more beutting the purlieus of the Sixth Wwayd, than a smail subur- ban settiement’ of New York. The road narrows throngh all sorts of curves, over a rugged and rolling country, With grand landscapes sweeping away nortaward and eastward; and the sloping yet still steep biuif that forms Washington Heights, but @ few hundred feet toward the North river looms up randly. Many @ beauuful scene could be sketched rom Nature 10 this quarter, showing all the curious elements that are found in the cultivated and world-wide English landscape: Who would not go into raptures over the broad meadows of fat Sragiers' cows, wilh every evidence of being plentiful producers of milk; flocks of rare sheep, playful.colta, valuable fowls fitting here and there, together with the buoyant and bracing air Trashing turo! the valley, aud the genial warmth of@ not tvo hot meridian sunt Who could not de- light in the varied and picturesque scenes that abound over the whole country to castward of Wash- Heights, even to the distant hills of Long Island, @ prospect that takes in every dogree of beauty and every ahade of the agreeabie, from lofty peaks and jutting headlands to the rippiing brooks and peaceful veles? Views like these are at every hand. So profuse are they that it seems as if nature Dad used too lavish a) hand in planting this whole region with multiplying beanties. It is through a country like this that the observer must follow to Teach the vicinity of Washington Heights. If he @rives through in the day-time bis pathw: wil be shaded by towering trees will buge branches, perfumed by the aromauc vapors of the valley, and lighted up by partial gleams of sunlignt creeping through the patches of daylight io the follage. If in the night- time, at this date, the crimson moon lifts its oblate spheroidal shape above the eastern bills, and its broad {face grins with ali the sardonic powers of the “man In the moon,” while the katydid repeat their monotonous assertion, the crickets sound their end- less rattle, and some huge, invisible cat, sings in high, soprano notes, “Maria, can I get over your fence?’ The gas posts are always lighted too, and tired workmen with their lasses, nabobs on a period- ical assignation, and poetic iovers who court under the smile of pale Luna, are just visible on the banxs, ‘and under the distant trees. One can scarcely tak: &@ Moonlight artve over this country without meeting Dundreds of vehicies gong to the thousand and one taverns on the bridge and Riverdale road, and accidents, often @ serious nature, occur in the narrow vers DgV too long Dugrims’t tie shrine oF Bezctita. The magnite cent mansions and superb gronuds that dot the Hudson, from Fort Washington to Albany, begin upon the Mountain which wil de noticed as stretch- ing away co toe northward as far as the eye can Teach, covered with @ luxuriant growth of torest trees, herbaceous piants, thick anrnos, readered rug- ged and picturesque by great deposits and ele- vations of 3 rock. Ia the descriptions which we give of some of the follown Places, the selec- ons are oot designed to be invidious, bat perhaps only a# Lappy in showing the varied styles of ground and Mansions, Wicd rise im such sumptuous mag- aificence from the shore of the Hudson. It would i FH umpossibie to give a detailed description of all the villages to Albany, and we have ‘aken only tuose between Yonkers and New York, These comprise we most elaborate, Most elegant, the most costly and exciusive in tne Union, As works ol art they deserve a nitch in tae structure of human be cn not meauer than that allotted to the productions of an Angelo or a Raphael, or assigned to the workmmansuip of a Stepheason ar a Kuediung. When the reader comes to reflect that these spots now emprace everything known in the way of ornamental, either natural or artificial; toat they have the most efficacious and valuaoie system of drainage; that fever and ague and ai! malarial producers ‘have beeu driven trom the soil; that the ruder and wilder pimses of nature have been ieft untouched, while the ordinary and comonpiace have been worked into garden spots of incomparabie beauty; that the harsh has been tamed down to the picturesque, ana the glaring tinted to the milder aspects of landscape gardening; ‘hat sculpture, borticu.ture and intricate architec- ture exist there Aas well as along the avenue; that Tare exotics iruit and bloom in @ strange climate by the delicate skiil of the botonist, and tropical fruits are plucked in great quantities at any ov the most perverse seasons of the year; that, 1m miniature, winter 18 made summer and sum- mer winter; toat trees, pianta and flowers from the four quarters of the giove illus- trate the vastness of the vegetable kKingdom— that these, with the legion of others, parts of the bean- turul and elaborate waole, constitute an effort of we mind to conceive and @ gift of ihe genius vo execute bolder than the creation uf Correygio or any of his compeers—he will but begin to appreciate the tolis of wealthy proprietors who have Jaborea for twenty. tive years to attain’ perfeciton in tis branch, yet Witt @ briiliant success. To visit these mansions 80 48 to obtain their finest views, avd be duly tmpressed with their majesty, one shonid ascend the elope from the river; for to go in the grounds from the Bloom- ingdale road 1s iike entering the back door, or seek- jog in the kiteben for the elegance of the parlor, Yet there are some residences tnat have very unely graveiled drives leaaing to their frout doors, and among these can be met none on the isiand su- perior to the lane which winds up the moun- tain and under the porch of Mr. W. Hays, on Washington Heights, ‘uruing from the main road, aud iletung the eye sweep around the whole prospect to northward, eastward and southward, a thickly studded ridge of forest i seen skirting the horizon as far as the eye can reach. ‘There 18 @ broad expanse of meadow lande, with a closely grazed green carpet as laid by the hand of nature; there @re stacks of straw glistening tn the sun, like cones of burnished gold, and lengthy lines of intersecting fences shooting out in ali directions, wnile the pellucid Harlem pours tts cool waters into the parched mouth of the mountain pass and re- freshes the drooping Marshes and river plante faint- tng beneath the intense heat of thesun, Toward the Hudson there 1s nothing but bluff. trees and shadow, and over and throught this mixed denalty the drive is continued. Ascending @ circular path, weil gravelled, geutly graded and of good width, the direction lies through @ power of cedars and fick- ores, whose ambitious branches melt in each other’s embrace and are locked toge' out ali but @ barrow belt of the sky. fg the road points toward the summit, are fine spruces, fir-trees, arbor-viti and masses of tastefully arranged shrabs. Upon reaching the head, coming eat to northward, through the meagre open- ngs can be viewed in adinirable perspective the rich and fertiie valley pushing between the moun- tains like a wedge. With a ciear sky and an atmos- phere uninfuenced by local disturoance, the vista from suca points as these is a8 glorious a sight as tae most enthusiastic student of nature would care to behold, To mention the smiling green and the radiant -follage, the stolid evergreen and the emer- ald beauties of the distant hulé, with the spruces and the sad weeping willows, the pretty cottages and the moving fruits, gives but an ill picture of what 13 suggested to the reflecting mind, Every Viciasitude of iife 18 wprfed in the unthinking trees, in the silent stream and the pretty flowers. ‘The willow bends to the ground In graceful woe and the oak towers to the sky in stately pride; th waters still, run deep, and siallow, leap in auger: the flowers have @ language of their owa, but com: memorate tne beauties aud harmonies us weil as the ils discords of life. This truly is the poet's spot, and is by #0 many romantic trees that no me can fail 0 lunger tn its vicinity. By an wniqnely wrongit rustic fence the drive is pursued, leaving the nadid val- Jey in the rear. pines now line the road; when, tur corner and driving a distance of twenty horses bring up under the poreh of the ner, shutting ‘To either hand, I a reileved rgreens and apr , Inaples v4 sharp yards, tne Mie W. HH. HAYS’ MANSION, Upon this delightful spot, situated on one of the most eligible butiding sites Upon Mantelian Isiand, Mr, Hayes has lived asa retired vroke ve fiteen years, spending lus time in laying out and develop- Ing bis grounds, planting them with rare exotics and developing them to their present healthy matu- rity. Once @ power in Wall street, where his - ence was felt inevery movement, he is now a king among the Crovsuses of the Heights. Mr. Hays is a gentieman apparently of about sixty years of age, heavy frame, raddy complexion, with frank and = mannera. He has lately sold his place-to a ennsylvanian for $200,000, and moves from 4t in a few days, carrying with him his elegant furniture, Paintings and feet horses. The place is one of the finest along the Hudson. it nas @ fro of 900 feet on the Kingsbridge road, and the sae distance on the river. The hoase, which stands very near the centre of the plot, 1% 4 capacious three story frame house with a lofty cupola. Jt18 painted of @ sandy color and has blinds of a dark maroon color. The porch, from whith a fine vista of the Mudgon is had through the narrow pass between the overhanging boughs of tall cims, presenting the rocky and ‘pendicular cluts of the palwades on ‘the other side and the slightly rippied stream below, peopled with email craft borne in every direction by @ brisk wind, J4 shaded by broad and figured awn- ings, and is marked in ‘ound by @ door, upon which is painted a parlors in the interior of the house are furnished in blue and veivet, while the ceilings are finished in Itlac and gold. The rooms are loity. The reception room is & model of neatness, and from its wesvern window 4 lookout is obtained which includes Ford ham beights and the dusky hilis of Long Isiand, jast visible through the hazy mist near the horizon;. also Sherman creek and ali the surpassing lov lines of the ravine below. The entire are: is twenty-four and a@ half acres, thus making we value per acre, ai the sale price, over $12,000. What enormous price to pay for iands, miles awe: 7M. cars, post offices and business centres; an at @ mine of living beauties they must contain to bring unis fabulous sum! Besides the other ordinary accommodations of a city residence, the Louse has fine winding staircases wrought in biack wainut, and an abundance of room—plenty tor a sm hotel, The grounda demand a brief notice. drive which comes up from the road terminates ample stables, containing six fine blooded animals that go over the ground tm 2:50, two of which are of the Ethan Allen stock, Bosides tne ways, there are deviating pa - derer into all sorts of picturesque spots among groves, rookerles and grotioes. To the rgat band of the grounds, looking across the Ynasun, is a fine spring Which never seals its mouth of svarkiing and leading the w: clear water, This ts @ remarkablo when {t ia considered that the ground is near summit of the highest jand on Manhattan Island. Rising toward all points of the compass, and especiall; on te steep slope toward the river are the magnill- cent tulip trees, sasasfrases, rare doywoods, castor bean fruit trees, hemiocks, Bolognas, and a grove of rugged oaks. The decline toward the Hudson covered with @ thick growth of underbrush, and rocks, embankwents, rooted up trees and decayed leaves assist to give the hill a wildly ploturesque ap- pearance. Alinost to the extrome northern limit of the place 1s a huge chestnut tree, one of the finest that probably now remains on this tract, with an approximate diameter of five feet, Very hear this ‘spot is historic ground. It was thore that the bloody engagement transpired between the British army and ihe Continental troops, when upwards of 600 Hessians were slain. That memorab.e confict has not been recorded by the pen of the historian alone; the bones of theso Hessians have whitensd tho soil that they labored ta vain to conquer, and Mr, Hays has succeeded in disinterring 8 large quantity of their remains, which he has again buried It is w great pity that these. interestin relies of an abortive attempt to straagie the youthful republic by mercenary arms cannot be preserved insome safe quarter. Will tho Historical Society move in the matter? ‘Tho vegetable garden attached to the place 18 1n a thriving condition, showing the high state to which agricalture,can be carried when assisted by the necessary auxiliaries of money and skilled lapor, Pears, the Bartletts and cycles; melons in great quantities, greennouses and ali the adjuncts or the gentieman farmer are at hand, in good con- dition, The view down the river from the farthest northern point of this place is very eatisfactory. Tne observer, Without fatiguing the eye, can see to Jer sey City over the tops of the houses; on the land away to the south, the elgnty-ton schooners plying their trade in the river, Which at this point more merits the name of lake, and can note them @s they put their helms down and forge their vows sharp into the wind while the satla slap sharply against the masts, till they veer off on the other tack and take the breeze aboard to windward. Nautical opera- tions of this character are in constant practice; and they, with the ourions fisherman anchored in @ rudely scow in the middle of stream, with his leg hanging over the gun- wale and his hat slouched down over his face watting for a bite, with the marksman firing in vain at unwilling game, and the boys, in deflance of the rules of decency, xpoeine their woll-turned forms at the river's one form cartous and inter- esting scenes to break continuity of a di a ble train of thought, and put one in a frame of,mind that cannot be produced by a thousand of sryant’s or Grey's verses. Farther on toward the city is a grove of mixed treea in which can be found most every genus known to naturalists. Spruces, pines, hemlocks, white and red oaks, dog wood trees luxu- rient when they bioom with white blossoms, the mouniain laurel and ash, and maples with their leaves rustling among the evergreens and presenting their white, velvety surfaces in @ rust of gunit these giants and graces of the forest still remain land- marks of another and silent witnesses of the many historic scenes tha. once made this island re- sound with the clarion of war. From an elvvated plot, near the fine Mr. Chittenden’s place which borders on Mr. Hayes’ grounds, 18 @ fine lookout from which can be neon even more agi extensive view of the Hudson. About it abound geraniums, tn po' forth their charming fra- grance, and the blooming fuschias dij their heads, while scarlet colors contrast well wit the neat lawn. The flower spots in this quarter are excellently designed, and are models in thelr way. Enshrouded with lime-chip walks and shaded tn the borders with boxwood hedges, their interiors pre- sent centres of rare South American plants kept with pecuilar care by the skilful gardener. There is also another grove of mounded land, just as it naturally lay, with no cultivation or alteration in any respect. Here huge rocks, Known as nigger hears, lay stolidly and sleepily upon the ground; birds chirp gentle meiodies, squirrels jamp from fimb to limb, grasshoppers skip about with playful animation, while but few streaks of light can gain entrance through the curtains of forest leaves. Moas-covered stones, green deposits on the decayed trunks, rotten underbrush and soft soil are all that are needed to make a wild wood complete, and they are there, Besides the points no- uced the whole cultivated area abounds in geraniums, calladiums, japonicas, colenses— beauttul dark olaret-colored leaves of a velvety texture—used in bedding and edging, also thesame species in many different varieties. Then, too, there are the Irish yew tree, the rich magnolia, the rare Jingo tree, with a very fine and delicate specimen of leaf, and the Scotch La Burnoim, This whole place as it stands 18 a magnificent and tasteful combina- tion, and one that bas few superiors upon the Had- son. THE LATE MR. LUCIUS CHITTENDEN’S MANSION. The mansion and grounds contiguous to Mr. Hays, on the south, are those of the late Mr. Lucius Chittenden, a retired merchant, who at an advanced age died, leaving a young widow and his children sole possessors of the property. The area now con- sists of abont twenty acres of beautiful lawns, shaded giades and retired arbors, elegantly sur rounded by wide drives and tortuous walks. Foun- tains play jets of sparkling water, sculptured vases support variegated and highly pertamed flowers and the grounds are laid out for croquet playing and other cultivated sports. The house one of a similar structure to Mr, Hays’, two story and a half, with 8 cupola, affording an extensive view of the Hudson. The grounds mostly grow cedars and pines and other trees of this species. Acurious old relic of the Revolutionary war still exists apon this place, in the grassed re- doubt, which was known in the sevolutionary war as Fors Tryon, 80 named in honor of Governor Tryon, one of the old colonial governors of Connecticut. ‘This parapet still preserves ts ancient outlines, and, save in its height, is still marked by the same char- acteristics that made It one of the commanding for- Utcations of the revolutionary era. The pivotal points where the cannon moved in lateral range, where they were elevated and depressed at the dint- ant enemy across the Kingsbridge road before the battle of White Plains, are still there, Though the eles surroundings of the place have subtracted much of the primitive wildness from the spot and taken away the component parts that we read of the history of that war, the remains cannot fail to sug- gest to the spectatot, as forcibly as the ruins of Pom- peti and Herc eum, the still great actions of former days, The ‘homely and rade = gran- ite column rising from Bunker Will may cel- ebrate the reverence of New Englanders ot the stormy day in't5, when the Britiah were ly held at bay; but such ruins as Fort Tyron ves speak to the visitor of the actual deeds and scenes as they existed. From this spot can be soen Fort George, the heights of Fordham, Kings- bridge, Torrey’s Bridge, thick clumps of woods, lively contrasted foliage, suining church spires, the splendid mansion of Mr. William C. Wetmore, owned by Mr. Batley; Mr. Clain’s, the great dry goods prince, shooting ita purple roof high above its surroundings; Mr. Anthony's, the great woollen merchant; the wountatu and valley now named In- wood, but ‘meriy Tubby Hook—-a name more sug- gestive, ‘tainly more indigenous, Fort Tryon commanded Fort Hock Hill in the revolutionary Umes, and then, as now, was a beautiful fortifica- tion. The Chittenden place has as good views as any of the surrounding ones, and has a gentler a scent to the Hindson. Over the tops of the alwa: green and the deciduons trees (the thousand jig move in panoramic view, the Pal ades make an abrupt and minent back- ground with the creamy 8k. arching to the zenith through azure and blue shapely The grounds have a ilmited supply of statu figure Diana being the prominent one. A b and tall arbor vite hedge separates this place from the adjoining vae. KICHARDS CASTLE. next place to southward along Washi ig the celebrated f ds Custie, wh recently been bought by i United States Sub-‘Treasurer at New York, for tise sum of $275,000, ‘The southern fiyade of Ua castle presents to the eve ana the imagination at once wnat was an old feudal castle of the Khine. entire edifice is built of “niggerlead’? in the rougu—that w, large houlders anhewn and devoid of symmetry julting out here and there, giving to all the fronts an irregular and eraggy appearance. ‘The house 14 two stories and a half Ligh, with a basement, wide ve- bs and lofty towers, The soutiern elevation presents the inain tower and heart of the structure, atwalns an elevation of forty feet, with a diameter of abont twenty. In its front are. three windows of the wpper story, two of the one next below, and on the first floor @ inassive arched doorway, jarge enough for the defile of battalion, To ite westward i# another tower reachiug a loftier pomt, with aamalier one still further to the left, but lower than either. furrets aiso rise in a similar, but not ina regular way on tle east aide, and an ele- vated cupola caps tle whole. It would be impossl- bie to give an ivate idea of this house, In plan— jo fine, 1% has no plan, no system, no arrangement, its beauty and yaiue consisting alone in its defi. ance of existing styles of arcaitectures and modern degrees of ornamentation. From the top of the square \ower (be whole island can be sven in plece- meal. A level, ellipitical shaped ptece of ground, hedged in by @ grove of pines and mixed evergreens, 4s laid ont in garden spots of rare beauty. It is 1m- possible to speak In too high terms of praise regard- the striki olors of the coluses, that are arranged io tints of crimson purple and pale yellow, and mixed white aud maroon. . The ciroular . the geometrical figures of fuschiag and ger- aniups, and the imitation of leaves and other natu®al outlines in the boundaries of fower plats, display rare tasie and delicate «iscrimination. Heltotropes, verber pinks, violets, tuberoses, and moss and tea roses. scatter their gay colors over the 4 fll the air with fragrant odors. ‘The splendid trees upon this estat @ one of the marvels even of the forest. Owks reac! herght of weveral hundred feet, and elms and maples, wrinkled with age, still rustie in the wind and form. @ ceiling over the croqnet ground at a height of wixty feet, The house is very elegantly furnished, and at present is occupied by parties who rent it. Descending the Jull by wich the place of Mr. Hays was reached, the direction again fies along the Kingsbridge road. Near ai hand a gasholder rears its nuge bulk of the light dui, and fences, stacks and meadows siretch away toward tn ‘Creek terminating the i#land, Entering a gute bata few huadred yards farther on a pass, flankea by two enormous willows, is cleared, and the road up tre steep and leading to the right 1s pursued, Here again is One of those Incomparable views abounding jong the Hudson, Wooded clit, deep gullies, the tops of houses in the ravine, whic from the river into the interior at this poin little Gothic church, tyy-coveed and moss-grown the Hudson's liquid silver shining throng the trees, the thick grove, sweating oxen, gabied cottages and white sais, These are some of the figures that mark tie vista Just as the spacious Mansions on the brow of the lui are reac TUR MANSION OF M TALCOTT The mansion and grounds of Mr, § Arich and retired colvon merotar alcott who was made mark {tn the his transactions of his time, eo and peat, cotton old Knickerbocker and & pant accomplished gentieman, are the rst that are seen oD ent the mountain road, Mr. Talcott has four acres, with a front of 1,000 feet ‘on the mountain road, extending back to the Dyck- man estate in the rear. Toe ground, though not un- usually large, 1a unust treated in its relations to landscape gardening, 0 area 1s terraced from the road and curves away to its highest point in an ele- vated mound planted with floweis. Aviaries, rookertes, giens, Dig for all kinds of sport, make up a part of the design, ant the old forest-preserved trees, such a3 the pine, the Norwegian maple, the dogwood and the lofty chestnut, all yw to admi- rable heights. But the main feature place is undoubtedly nis house, now nearly com- jeted, @ model English baronial hall, built by an Euglish architect. ‘Tbe structure is composed en- urely of brick and stone, there be! no lath or plascer or stucco Work used at all, The foundations are sold, the walls emhtcen inches thick and the house three stories high, with cellars and observatory, The parlors are very commodious, with sixteea feet ceilings, and all the rooms in the house are elegantly painted in colors, the blue room, the red room and others being fin- ished regardieds of cost. Solid and substantial out- side, the house inside presenta a picture of the lux- urtance which our rchants gather about them when they give up business cares. Mr. Talcott is @ connoisseur in sculpture and pi and nas many valuable works illustrating both. His most noticeable pieces are two figures in marbie, cut by the celebrated Welsh sculptor, Mr. Riel @self-taught artist some twenty years ago. The first 1s en titled the “Boy and Butterfly,” a very auccessiul attempt of the artist to represent the figure in the act of clutch. ing the insect. The posture 18 natural, the lines graceful and the tout ensemble almost beyond critl- cism, The second piece is the “Girl and Soap Bub- bles,’’ representing @ nicely mouided figure perform. her innocent expioit. Besides these works Mr. Talcott hag others of note and value that were described in the HERALD over twenty years ago. ‘The lookout from this place ts a broken prospect of water, meadows, lawns and forest, and opposite are vhe red and gray walls of the Palisades, where Aloft the ash and warrior oak Cast anchor in the rifted rook. Gigantic rocks, tufted knolls declining In @ circular descent into woods of tall pines and spreading elms, the purpled peaks away wowards New York in the hazy distance, are some of the picturesque scones that can be enjoyed from this elevated plot. THE MANSION AND GROUNDS OF MR. D, C, HAYS. Standing back, and on a terraced space of groun ts the place of Mr. D. C. Hays, a wealthy banker ‘Wall street. The house ts a tine two story and @ half structure, resting upon & lawn of emerald and surrounded by wide and covered verant where- on Mr. Hays delights to sit and smoke his choice as, There is no place that contributes 80 much to the enjoyment of a fine cigar as quiet, but healthy mountain airs; and there are no scenes ao beautiful ag @ fresh and shimmering lawn mage — a croquet ground, where youn ladies and nobby genta display grace and activity, and t birds and dance ym tree to tree, aa Viewed through clouds of Havana-generated smoke; and this is the scene constantiy enact before Mr. Hays’ porch. Mr. Hays’ grounds are in a fine state ot SOU cutup by well gravelled drives and ample waika. ope GROUNDS AYD MANSION OF ME, gacos ih Adjoining an ther on, towards the Kings! road, 1s the house of Mr. Jacob Hays. The edifice stands upon elevated ground, with a handsome lawn sloping down to the mountain road. Of a Swiss cottage style of architecture, painted in taste- ful colors, with Gothic gables and well-proportioned windows, the mansion is a beautiful little residence, and one that might realize the popularly supposed myth of “love in a cottage.” A semi-circular drive sweeps along from the gateway to the porch and descends at a second gate, terminating the other extremity of the diameter. Between this line and the semi-circum- ference are plots containing delegates from every district in the foral kingdom, including all varieties of the charming China aster, the jeratum, be- -gonias, yerbenas, bergmanzias, fuschiag, and the rare and splendidly flowering Japan lily, of which Mr. Hays’ hothouses have many valuable specimens. 'rben there is a profusion of heliotropes, carnations, tuberoses, orange trees and lemon trees. Some of the large and singular appearing banana trees are fruiting 19 Mr. Hays’ hothouses; and there hang large clusters of this delicious fruit, which is fast ap- proaching ripeness. Banana trees have not been thoroughly successful in this soil; nor does the climate, artificial or natur conduee to their healthy development. It seems that Mr. Hays has discovered the trae secret of making this tree fruitful, for its branches are un- usually prolific. The vegetable garden extends down toward the rear, and in the direction of the Dyckman estate. The ground 1s terraced, and the area to the rigntis planted as a vegetable garden, while to the left the large green houses are displayed with a great wealth of plants and towers. In the greenhouse there is a large quantity of cameliad which will soon bloom, a valued night blooming cereus, bignomas, century plants, with their long, Rreen and drooping leaves, and the well known dusty miller, The orchid’s house, containing South American. air plants, is a very interesting place, and is believed to have as many if not more exotics of this character than any conservatory in the Union. ‘There are cabliers, bananas, celladiums, the beau- titul Spiritu Sancto, or Holy Ghost plant, which ‘when it flowers presents a dove, critically perfect, with 10s wings spread. This caprice of nature is @ marvel even to flower culturists, and soggests many things connected with the supposed common origin of tue animal and vegetable king- doms. There are aiso the Holy Week flowers, Swan flowers and plants known only in nature to East Indian jungies and tropical delis. ‘This singular abundance has been carefully looked to py the efficient gardener, and they have been grouped into posiuuons that show all their wondrous charms, It may not be known that these plants grow without any soll whatever, deriving thelr only nourishment from the atmosphere; yet such ts the fact. They are secured to cork or the bark of trecs and suspended by wires, It requires an unusual degree of care to keep them fresh, and it may now be considered a settled conclusion that nothing in flora or herbage exists but what can be developed and reproduced under graded conditions of atmosphere, For in- stance, the well known Pitcher plant from the Indies is grown along the Hudson. Asits name sug- gests, it is in the form of a pitcher, and its cover opens in the evening, catches enough dew to satisfy its thirst during the next day and closes in the morning. THE MANSION AND GROUNDS OF MR. BLISHA BROOKS. Mr. Elisha Brooks, clothier, of the firm of the well-known Brooks Brothers, has @ place directly over the road from Mr. Hays. ‘The house stands back from the river about 200 feet, aud isa large stccoed manston, appearing like brown stone, in fine order, and worthy of occupancy by the first lord of the sou. Mr. Brooks’ place 18 one of the finest on the Hudson. ‘The structure aione, without the ele- gant grounds, would be # fit abode for kings. A broad drive from the mountain road branches off ac his gate-nouse into the asphaitum drive entering his grounds by the southern gate, Spruces, pines, hem- locks and all species of the sassafras and maple, abound through the entire area. The drive ts med by flower lots, sylvan giades and verdant lawns. ‘The bedding out plants are especially luxuriant, naving all the colors of une spectrum, aud all the sweetness of tropical spring. ‘The Hawthorne peach trees bore some 1,200 peaches at the earliest part of June, and the strawberry pit was very proiiic. The geapery produced a five crop, and some 600 poanas of large and beautirul clusters sll hang on the vines. The flower spote have the tine calladims, bignonias and cameli while a pastoral beauty 1s obtained by the brow lawn, and the weeping willows bowing to the kiss- ing water. Near the grapery, which is on the southern part of the ground, i8 an artficial pond containing trout and gold fish, About the garden spots @ dood deal of taste is displayed in arranging the differently tinted flowers 40 ax to heighten the oifect, hether roses filling the centres, sur- rounded by geraniums, balsams and fusehias, and enclosed by a boxwood hedge of dark green. The ground is terraced to the Hudson, and at the termination of a broad path @ Gothic boathouse ties concealed im a roxy dell. A view made up of scenery as in a iairy dream bursts out at this point ta wondrous wildness, Alternating clevations and depressions of mixed green sland out agaist the distant hjils, and the Palisa ed once more form & rugged background for ‘The Hudson, the small coutages at the Palisades, the ascending grassed terraces of the lawn, the trees, parterre aud thick copses, breathe with animation and wealth. Mr. Brooks keeps six horses, and has some good ones for the road, Upon this tract of land, lately named Inwood, more eaphoniously and historically known as Tubby Hook, or mavy other places, that we have not the space to méntion at length. Those of Mr. Marte and Mr McCreary, as well a8 otheps lying to the northward, are fine pla THE MANSION AND GROUNDS OP MR. W. B. ISHAM, ‘This gentleman has @ finely furnished two story and @ half frame honse, situated in the midst of twenty-three and @ half acres of nearly clear land. His business is that of a merchant, The hothouses are extensive, and in their way are well stocked. Mr. Isham’s place lies contiguous to Mr. Seaman's, and is justly regarded as valuable property. THE ELEGANT GROUNDS AND MANSION OF MR, JOBN T. SBAMAN. Incomparably the finest’ mansion on the Hudson, and undoubtedly the spot where fortunes have been spent, aud well spent, is the place of Mr. John T. Seaman, retired drug merchant, who has been the last fifteen years lavisning his extensive fortane upon the grounds that are now universally admired by all that visit them, Not alone Americans, but Huropeans and landed gentry of all climes, cagerly seck this spot, and are courteously treated by the venerable possessor, who now nears the sere and yellow leaf. Mr. Soaman is still @ fine and healthy appearing man, with well cut features and @ fine stature. Tis efforts have been tireless to improve his place, and he now has the satisfaction of kaowmg that ho has few rivals flong the Hudson. Entering the grand gateway at the northern entrance the slate-gravelied drive ix ursned over an undulating, though ascending, road fi a footpath is met coming down,at right angles from the northern portico, @ steps to this path- way are of white marble, and are Manked by two elaborately cut lions, in marble, showing much ar- tistic taste in the sculptor, The way then lies straight ahead, when the drive curves toward the mansion in @ southeriy atrection, At the turn stands a good, figure of “Bu "in marble, rest- Ing upon @ marble pedestal i further on, as the drive continues, is a beautifully gilded figure of “Diana,” with her bugle in hand. The white mar- ble statues just on the crest of a Hill, sloping off to- ward Spuyten Duyvil creek, are specimens of sub- stantial architecture, corresponding with the sivle of thd house. To southward of the mansion the drive continues, and @ statue of Music is dis. played, 4 spotless white contrasung well with ty through the a huge marble ip before a massive door, shaded by @ great arch, forming another porch. The mansion ts buut entirely of white marble, quar- ried by Mr, Seaman on the spot. [t {s seventy-eight feet deep and in plan is nearly square. Is has a mata dome reaching @ height of ninety feet from the und, with its top painted a dark maroon color. here are also two smaller domes. whose arches are surmounted by the statues of Love and Music re- spectively. It is hardly possible to give a correct view of this nouse—a hofse that has few equals in the world, and one that isa combination ot capacious ‘wings, towering chimneys, vaulted domes, man windows and sharply defined, yet not ungraceful lines. It defles classification according to the schools of art, yet it 18 inferior to none of them, wile acom- bination of all. This plan of breaking away ry what ts pure Grecian or Roman 1s a praiseworthy innovation, and one which haa been much foliowed with triumphant success along the river. From the northerp porch the ground assumes a gently declin- ing surface till it touches the drive in continuous mores of beautiful evergreens; trom the eastward it lescends in eight terraces, along waich ure con- structed the extensive nothouses; from the soutn. ward the garden spots and statuary dot tne green, and to the southward are the stabies and the valley. Let us enter the house. The aoor is flanked with fine pieces of statuary, and once within a wide and lofty hall, with the usual furuiture.is seen. To the extreme south end of the house is the octagonal libra- ry, fitted up at Lo gon expense, Closets whose doors support long aud beautifully gilded mirrors, statues of Scott, Suakspeare, Byron, Milton, Homer, E: lapius, Socrates and Pluto fill’ niches in also the mind from the the eternity of dreary philosophy. Some fine patnt- ings hang on the wails, the westeru windows look out into a small conservatory, in wnich statues ol the four Seasons are placed in pppconriags posi- boar — id Ashe Riise Oe) et » The rl capacious, ings Sixiéen Rtgn, and wouid do for the thrsae rooms of a Mae mpire or the éasl of @ presidential mansion. estan, micrors Teflect distances and apparentiy double the sizé, In these rooms, standing up on a pedestal at the western end, is that well-known plece _of atuary, ‘John the the Wilderness,’’ made to ord Seaman in Europe. In the reception has two busts, of himself and wife, cut by Mansini; also a statue of the “Flower Girl.” Ascending the broad oak staircases bronzed figures of the four quarters of the globe stand in alcoves under the main dome in this order—Kurope, Asia, Africa, America. The picture gallery 1s situated in the western wing in the second story, and there can be seen some very valuable works of art. ‘The original picture of the ‘Marriage of the Virgin,” by Ludovico Carraccl, eight feet square, and wort $20,000, hangs against the southern wall. This pic- ture portrays its subject with a true inspiration, and the touch of genius can be%traced in the colors, the lights and shades. The original of ‘The Shepherds! Visit to the Virgin Mary,” by Reubens; the original of “St. Martin Dividing His Garment Among the Poor’!— a finely colored painting; the “‘Betrothal of the Vir- in,” the “He Family,” copy from Raphael, gether with his “Madonna” and the “Polish Orphans,” comprise ® very rare and valuable col- lection, In which, it will observed, no popular daubs have place. The whole house is supplied with water from a large tank on the main tower, which holds 60,000 gallons, and which is lined with lead. ‘The entire upper story and domes are lighted with plate glass let into the roof, and it is Crating thia means alone that the picture gallery is lighted. From the top of Mr. Seaman’s tower one of the finest, most extensive and varying prospects in this country can be obtained. It should be remembered ti his house {s located on one of the highest points of the island, and propably as lofty a private dwelling as there ison it, Looking north can be seen a Duyvil creek and the rich and feriile acres which it washes; the Harlem river with its tortuous course winding like @ snake through the tall grass and thick shrubs; @ section of the Hudson shining like a lake of molten silver, and tinged with crimson by the setting sun; the misty hilis rising from the val- ley and just perceptible through the haze, the weird glens, the weather beaten crags and torpid moun- tains. Ascene like this 1s but @ portion of what strikes the eye at every point; and this sublime panoramic view has mn gazed upon by many eminent uropeans, woo declare that nothing equais 1t 1m the Oid World. At the en- trance to the porch two figures in the dress of the time of Louls XIV. stand out in conspicuous pro- minence, and a statue of America caps the main dome; the interfor is frescoed with Cupids. The house 15 connected from room to room with an alarm telegraph, 80, that should burgiars aspire to transfer some of Mr. Seaman’s valuables the dial would at once indicate their iocation and anxieties, when doubtless he would treat them with becoming civility. The hothouses are very extensive. They consists of graperies, a pinery and greenhouses, The pinery is fifty feet deep, andis very fruitful. The graperies now groan under heavy loads of their ae- lictous fruit. They are two in number, separated by @ plant house, and have a through depth of 212 feet, with a width of 225, feet, with a lean-to quadrant shaped roofs. A steam engine is used to throw the water op the grape vines, which have hothouse peaches just in their rear; aud against the wall, some rare figs. Tbe whole arrangements of these graperies 18 a model of neatness, No finer fruit of this kind is grown in America. Every species abounds. There are the black Hamburgs, the Victoria Ham- burgs, some bunches of which weigh six pounds; the white Nice, the Muscat Alexandrias and the royal muscadines; the Timothy de Burgh, the earliest golden Chasselas, gtizzly Frottingans and white Frottingdns, ‘The plant house in winter contains 2,500 pots, The whole western slope is now broken up for improvements. A sinall lake 1s to be con- structed; and adjoining, an ice house, so that he can make his own ice. Anew entrance is being built in exact imitation of the Aro de Triomphe de I’ Etoile, standing at tLe head of the Champs Elysées on a line witn the entrance to the Tulleries in Paris, This massive structure will cost $30,000 and is nearly completed. It is composed entirely of white marble and forms a fitting entrance to this empire, which mr. Seaman has named Mount Olympus, Besides the statuary named, he has Bacchus, Cupid, Psyche and other pieces famed for their beanty and fidelity of design. Thus has Mr. Seaman succeeded in surrounding himself with the elegances of art, the luxuries of fine flowers and delicious fruits and the comforis of a sumptuous and capacious mansion, ‘The splendid places which now lie to the north- ward are across the Spuyten Duyvil creek, which here forms an arm of the Hudson. To see them in landacape it is better to ascend the river im one of the numerous boats plying between New York and Albany. If the observer preferhe can take the Riverdale road, across the creek, from Tubby look, and the mansions will be on his left. We will take the view from the water. About the New York shore the ground commences wrth a san ly bluff, aud changing the outline among piers and wharves, shipping, Warehouses and gashoiders, goes into an easy decline at the Orphan Asylum, which stands in a commanding position pack from the water, The prospect here 13 _ enlivened by the Hudson River Railroad cars, rush- tng by at the water edge; by the brick and stone scows; by low fences and giant rocks, by mounds and knolls, by grottoes and rustic arbors. At Mauut Tom, about Kighty-fourth street, the view takes tn the Catholic Orphan Asylum to northward, and not far beyond Les tne real estate of Fernando Wood—a monument of his honest administration of the Mayoralty. About Nineweth street weeping willows overbang a deep ravine, dark and wila. From this pomt up the river, amid thick beits of forest, vaies Shoot into the mountain side, and the great trees picture their shadows upon the water. The sun is three houra high, and crowds of business men are rushing to the city by steamboat and cara wo be ready for the day’s work. The river is active with navigation; a sieamer goes by with a cargo of zeai- ous Methodists, singing “Rock of Ages;” the vartous kinds of clouds are reflected in the water, ana houses, mansions and even palaces stand out in bold relief aiong this bank of the river, This is the kind of scenery met upon tne river. On the other shore are the Palisales, WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THR PALISADES ‘This has been the study of the greatest engineers. The United States government hias-had surveys wade of the ground for different purposes ever since New York’s commercial position first engaged the atten- tion of the general wovernment. ‘vhe Palisades are composed of vertical columns of trap rock precipi- tously descending to the water. For a distance of twenty miles above New York these perpendicular walls extend until they terminate at Haverstraw, where the columnar escarpments cease. The ridge at the same time extends along the same geological formation, being again visible in Staten Island. Now, the question that as vexed 80 many has peen regarding these palisades, cvibono? General B. L. Viele, the eminent engineer, has solved this problem. He contends that nature has farnished an inex- haustible quarry in the cubical blocks that chip from the palisades and are now deposited in the river at their base, with which @ magnificent sys- tem of stone piera and wharves could be built, with an average width of 2,000 feet and a length of twenty miles, extending to the capacious bay of Haverstraw, He holds that it would be impolittc, a8 well as unnecessary, to terrace the Palisades, rather leaving Lhem as they are now. The immense labor that such an operation would cause would be but poorly compensated in the end, if at all. He has seen surveys made by the Navy Department !ook- ing. to the butiding of @ navy yard along their bas This, he asserts, ia entirey (easivie, the large, cry talized tudes of stone being right on hand at the water's edge, perfectly cut and ready for use at any time. The water at this point is thirty feet deep, the river a mile wide, and shoud the navy yard ever be built there the shortcomings of the present bad concern wonld not be experienced. The hills back of the Palisades have lakes which could fu nish the quarters and public buildings with fre: water, and the rest of the country in the rear could be used, as it is now, for fine residences, by the om- cers living at the yard. The ground in the interior 1s now malarial, but @ good system of drainage to- wards the western water course would render it a delightful country whereon to build. Such eminent sanitary suthorities as Dr. Harris and Mr. W. E. Wor- then take this view, Upon reaching the vicinity of the romantic coun- try about the upper end of the island, which termt- nates like an index finger, the apleadid residences we have described loom up in the distance, but none more grandly than Mr. Seaman's. On the other shore, in Westchester county, we observe the man- sions extending back to the Riverdaie road. THR MANSIONS ON THR RIVERDALE ROAD, Tho first ono, now building, belongs to Mr. Caime- ron, the lumber merchant, and the next 1s the pro- perty of Mr, David Ewen, consisting of thirty-tive acres of choice ground, Mir. John wen is the #easor of forty acres, sloping away towards Tibb brook and built anon with fine structures, James K, Whiting has seventy-two acres Ais place Inwood. It rans back to the oreek and (# thi ited with trees. Fine and shaaed giades over Lis one of thé finest in the vicinity, comes Mr. W. C, Wet more’s mansion, and noxt is Hudson Park. Mr, Wet- More has thirty-five acres. Mr. 'T. Batley Meyers, retired merchant, has an ele- nt house and fine grounds, and next o him is the firmer residence of William KE. Dodge. Mr, Hiram Barney, @x-Collector, has @ fine three story marbie mansion, and next to him lies the 250 acres of Mayor J. Deladeid. W. E. Dodge, Jr., has a fine residence in this quarter. Mr. Poroy Pine, of New York, occu- pies a very handsome villa of Gothic architecture, with bow windows and verandahs and spacious ang neat grounds. He calls it Alderbrook. Mr. Johy Mott, merchant, has a fine brick house further on, with nine acres of well kept grounds. Both Messra, H. F. Spaulding and W. W. Thompson nave fine places of seven acres each, An imposing stone house adjoming 18 the property of Mr. W. Appleton, who. 1s spending money freely to ve his property and render it unsurpassed, The house and grounds of Mr. Robert Colgate, paint morchant, are smple, The mansion is built of nigger- head granite stones, a6 the stables are ukewise. Mr. Henry L. Stone, of A. T. Stewart's, has five acres. Just ‘above Mr. D. W. James, with Phelps, Doage & Co, has @ snug little villa, a8 has his eye p Mr, tes. Mr. R. L, Franklin, of the New York pany, has three acres; Mr. Samuel D, Babcock, four,’ General Baldy Smith haa recently been residing on the adjacen' Akard covering seventy-five acres, inthe native state, and belonging to the Schermerhorns. The Kettner family mansion rests w) a high bluff, and ts ia the midst of thirteen teres of fing ground, Nine acres the Lispenard Stewart one nicely situated, then come. The Sisters of art break the continuity of villas with their imposing edifice, and the castle of Edwin Forrest, which they now own, Forrest's castle has thirty- three acres of ‘t grounds, Mr. Daniel Sloane, merchant, 1s satisfied with seven acres in order, with a roomy house and other pleasant auxiliaries. Mr. H. M, Schiefiin, merchant; Mr. Richard Law- fer Thgiaas We Eudiow, ‘wih Gostio: houses Jawad ic house, lawns and tte ripest ‘and seventy acres; a ick 8, be zel A papers” fame, with an elegant Discs, make up the ut of those living directly ou the water's edge below Yonkers. For much informa tion concerning these residences the writer is in- debted to the urbane Walter Underhill, of Yonkers. In Yonkens, a place, from its water power, destined for a great development, there are mai fine man- sions, Among them are those of Luke W. Thomas, James ©. Bell, Ethan Flagg, Mr. L. W. Frost, Mr. William A. Butler, author of “Nothing to Wear," Colonel Alexander Smith, Mr. Henry Bower, latel; failed; William Shannon, E. Weston, Ruben W. Haines, banker; John I’. Waring, John K. Meyers, Glibert G. Dudley. Such men as Colonel Marshall Lefferts, J. M. Bruce and Abraham Lent, own pro- perty there, and the famous Van Cortlandt estate, of 877 acres, lies in the interior. THE GROUNDS AND MANSION OF MR, WILIZAM T. COLEMAN, Mr. Coleman, of the Caufornia tine of steamships, has an elegant place. The nouse, of bridk, two sto- Ties and a half, of the Swiss style of architecture, stands surrounded by twelve and a half acres of ter- grounds, abounding in a vast luxury of treer aod plants. A splendid iron fence, upon the outside of which is planted a thick growth of Norwegian mapies, encloses the area. As you enter a tall wind- miil, painted in pas) gold and brown, is moving leisurely about. ‘This device pumps the water from 8 tank in its top over the whole place. Rustic seats, otic arches, bronze vases, supporting {uschias, jeers’ antlers planted against the side of the nouse, with the hellocropes, geraniums, roses, verbenas, China tea roses, eoluses, fountains, statues and the great trees, singularly large on this place, including arbor vile, spruces, firs, elms, oaks, maples hem- locks, pines and cedars, make up beautiful pic- ture, with the atd of che shining sun, lighting up the lawn and causing the glass hot houses to glitter like diamonds. A splendid view can be had from the ooservatory. Right in ite front, and on the highest spots on the place is the garden plots, contain, cavtuses, rhododendrons, Portugal laurels an everything known to nurseries, hot houses and ar- boretums. MANSION AND GROUNDS OP G, H, LILIENTHAL, Among all the mansions, and beautitul grounds upon the Hudson, Mr.-Lilie! ’a have the reputa- tion of being the finest, save vetoe in the single exception of Mr. Seaman's before describea. ‘they lie just out of Yonkers upon the bank of the river where the slope declines through groves and forest trees to the water’s widest width. The grounds cover twenty-five acres of beautiful lawns, aged trees and cultivated gardens. The house has the appear- ance of being brown stone, but is stuccoed, and towers to a height of 100 jeet above the ground, 1c6 cellings are high, its furniture elegant, and its Jagades are ornamented by huge porches, while the ‘general appearance is massive and imposing in the extreme, ‘The grounds are studded with maples, locusts, spruces and an almost endiess variety of trees, and the hothouses are filled with most every species of known plants. The ground in the rear ts divided into apple and peach orchards, vegetable gardens and shady groves; in the front 14 @ picturesque rookery, green ‘meadows, and with drives and walks, kept m a style of incomparavie neatness. The grounds are laid out aiter the fasnion of English parks, with statuary and rustic pieces in marble. Among the fine sculpture ts the groi jue figure of “Major Drumbo,” apparently happy tn deptn of broad grins, rectly in front of the east~ ern door 18 a rustic seat of marble, fantastically carved, with birds setting on their broods 1n a clus- ter of dark eaves, while snakes and squirrels ape in natural positions against the scroll work. ‘here are ‘very fine figures of birds of every class, doves and fowls; but space forbids an extended mention. One of the most amusing of these grotesque figures is a piece representing a priest, im gown and = surplice, in devotion, aud on the re- verse 13 « feathery wandy; or, as _ the divine conducts himseif when beyond the eye of his parishioners—an elderiy gentieman, smiling, with a long tie cravat and a periwig, and snake for @cane; summer tabies on pedestals peavey, wrought in marble, with rustic devices; ‘tne Fille du Regiment,” “Flower Girl,” ‘Chimney Sweep.’? fruit pieces, @ fat H’Englusman, a woman accord- ing to the Roman superstition. goat; & man with his species divided in the same manner, with numerous other statuary, comprising the largest collection of garden figures in the Union, are piaved at appropriate spots, with their spotiess whitness ‘set well agaiast the green The hothouses are very exvensive. They are filled with ferns of all de- acriptio! twenty varieties begnonias, twenty of celladiu banana trees, dragon tre's, Amert- can century plants, south American japonicas, thirty varieties of, fuschias and air plants. There are at the place some rare specimens of the india rubber trees tn bloom; coffee planvs, Bird of Paradise trees, sago palins, croton oi plants, 400 varieties of gladioluses, orange trees; pine- apples ready for eating, and grapes, nectarines, aches, pears and apricots in endieas quantities, ‘ne interior of Mr. Lillenthal’s house, from tl ground floor to the roof, ls ene picture of magni cence, The library ia ulled with rare biras, storks, macaws, and also with busts and shooting parapher- nalha, w gazeiles occupy prominent pla ‘The pariors are sumptuous; the upper rooms freacoed and painted im figures, and savin, guid and velvet are thrown about regardiess. One of the spare rooms 1s painted so as to represent a tent, and other curious devices relieve the monotony that some~ times uangs over tue stateliest of mansions. A fine ie of furniture 1s the grant bird cage, twenty feet nigh, in the matin hall, which has flower basins surrounding it It is made of rosewood. ‘This mansion and these grounds could be studied for a week by the virtuoso and then halt the beauties would remain undiscovered, Mansions and grounds like these we have briefly described are characteristics of the entire length of the Hudson, though probably this is the finest, or among the finest. It is impossible to foreshadow the future of this great river; put we may expect great things in less than a quarter of a century. Already the Rhine 1s outshone, and it would seem as if we were avout to realize Milton's Paradise. IMPORTANT MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES SUPREME Cor Judge Grier, of Pennsylvania, About to Retire. [From the Albany Eventing Journal, August 27.) The rumors which have been in circulation tnat Justice Grier intends to retire from his seat upon the bench of the Supreme Court assume a definite form, and are evidently given with his sanction, This step ig prompted by the growing infirmities of age and the natural longing for rest. Justice Grier has served during the ordinary itfetime of a healthy man in his oficial capacity, and is well entitled to the respite he desires. ‘He is now in his seventy- sixth year, [t is understood his withdrawal will take place in March, under the law which enables Supreme Court Judges more than seventy years of ‘age to retire upon a salary. Justice Grier got his appointment from a demo- cratic administration, and had until late years acted with the democratic party. But ita disloyal attitu previous to and during the rebellion and its assaults upon the government caused a decided change in his senuments and led him, so faras was [8g for one in his capacity, to seek new associations. He ardentiy supported the policy of the federal admin- istration and of Congress for preserving the Union, and some of his opinions upon constitutional ques- Hons submitted to the cpurt are marked by a logical ability and exhaustive knowledge which certainly do not show the advance of age. Considerable interest attaches to the question, who ‘will be Justice Grier's successor. Many able lawyers, of national reputation, are talked of tn connection with the appointment. None are more capable or deserving than Attorney General Hoar. His remark- able erudition, his marked judicial traits, his large experience, and his relations to the administration seem to indicate that his chances are among the best. Indeed, he ts to have entered the Cabinet with some sort ofSinderstanding that ho should ultimately be transferred to the bench, Mr. Lincoln put one of his secretaries in the court; but he proves to be an uneasy politician, who does not aliow the ermine to interfere with his mancuvrings for office fat the hands of the people. Should Attorney General Tloar be made a judge, there is no danger that he would simiiarly discredit his high positton, N JERRY TAXES New Jersey for foot up as follow ‘The government taxes in i year ending June so, 186%, Income Tax, Total Taxes. Firat distri. aL, Second distric third district Fourth distrie “Filth district. ‘Totals...