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A FINK OliD HOMK.The Residence of the Shipping City’sShip Owning Princes.“The Cedars,” the Old Houghton Family Kstate—Improvements Under Way—The Crookcr Homestead Purchased to Make Still Broader, Acres Broad—KIegant Interior of a Kich Bachelor's Home—The Finest Artistic Collection In Bath—Romance of a Young Girls Diamond,The inanager-ha.s sometimes thought, as he has smoked his t. d. and thus saved lor Sunday’s consumption the stub of a five cent Ilavanna, that when the Tnokpkx-dkxt’s circulation got up to 2000 a week he would lav by nickels wherewith Lto purchase ah estate like that of our popular shipping owner Henry L. Houghton, esq. We have a liking lor the old style, tall, square, broad shouldered mansion, the crowning glory of the substantial green terrace and expansive acres surrounding. It looks like a home where fun-loving children have frolicked in days gone; where lovers have strolled beneath the cedars, and whose brilliantly lighted roo ns and halls have received many a time and often gay and beautiful merry makers. In these days ot beautiyfying homes The Cedars should not be allowed to be surpassed by more modern villas but that it should be, as it is, rejuvenated, and set in the fitting framing ot well graded landscape gardened acres.THE ( KlUUS, Til K IfOPlillTOX IIOMKSTISAPwas built about 18*20, by John Richardson an uncle of our well known citizen Hon. fJ. G. Kichardson, who was, in the palmy days of Bath, a merchant, and later the cashier of Lincoln National bank. It was purchased from the builder in 1K*2( bv the late Levi Houghton, founder of the ship-im-Lrli-1ping business ot the world-known IIou ton Hros. From the other heirs it was again purchased, in 1871, by Henrv L. Houghton, esq., the present owner and occupant. Last year Mr. Houghton elegantly refurnished the interior and this season he is extensively improving the exterior and surrounding grounds. A broad ‘vt^amlatT!iFTlSuiIt about the notTlTT east and south sides of the main building, and both house and adjoining out buildings and stables have*been newly painted. At the apex ol the carriage house roof has been mounted the gilded figure head of the brig Clarissa Ann, theriliST YKSSia OF THE 1IOU4HITOX FLEET,built by Levi Houghton in 1821 and commanded by the late (.'apt. Chas. Owen. The figure head, a female bust, was theland millionaire. Especially interesting, both from an art point of view and choice ot subject is Hubbles by Ernestine Conroy. It represents a full length view ot a young girl very beautiful and very gracefully blowing soap bubbles in the open air.In the dining room, a large airy apartment, cheerful with its bay window admitting light and sun from the south, east and west, are hung on the walls paint* ingsof the earlier specimens of Hath naval architecture built by the Houghtons. There isTIIE UllUl CALEDONIAA ►Entering the North Sea in 1M;, (’apt. James Drummond in command. She would make a jolly boat for a coaster of three days. Her “lines” are decidedly Japanese now. Then there is the Clarissa Ann entering Havre near the end of tin; first quarter of this century. She too is decidedly old style. We believe she was the first vessel commanded by Capt. Chas. Owen 4ithe Kennebec Admiral.”Throughout the mansion of The Cedars artistic taste is manifest in the statuary and paintings, the latter constituting the finest collection in our city.IN THE NOItTH PAIJLOKis a window pane of glass which, strange to relate, his withstood the many gangers of over half a century, unbroken. Upon this pane, cut into the glass by a lady’s diamond, is the name “Sarah Richardson. Miss Richardson we muse, little thought when, perhaps, some stupid rainy morning she idly scratched her name upon this glass, that, over half a century later, the glass would be there bearing her name, and that some one should think it worth scribbling about. Miss R. was the daughter of the builder and first owner of the mansion. She married a Capt. Thompson the author of the well known “Three Years Before the Mast,11 bv whom she had one daughter,* ¥ OM iss Fannie, now living in this eitv. She married a second time Mr. Sam’l Robinson, whose son, Prof. Orville 1). Robinson, is well known in Rath society, although in business -elsewhere. And thus in a rambling way we have written a good deal about this fine old place—a good deal more than we anticipated writing when we glanced in upon The Cedars searching for aTrituniiicJt wceir the -showers— otrMtmdav*morning last.FirstCoiLeiIriiPelt;KisHoThcarved likeness of one of the builder's*daughters. At the base of the flag staff’u ( Don the ridge pole of the carriage house also is the old wheel of the brig Caledonia,limit in 182TI7aIso~by a l7evTHougliton.The entire surrounding lands are being graded the driveway newly built and the front terraces put in excellent condition. The sweep of lawn between the first and second terraces in front of the house has been finished and seeded for this season, the whole place to be given next spring into the hands of a landscape gardener. Mr. Houghton this spring purchased the old Crookcr Homestead adjoining the estate, on the south. The house, nine ty-five years old, was torn down, and , its lands graded to continue, the lawn of The Cedars.[Crowded Out Last Week.]For tlif hull-pendent.T1IK SKOLFIKLIVS SHIP.Full Description of a HandsomeVessel.Whaside we leu litV be♦in the hrighdistui travel rest ci unchi with and 1 A l bread fresh none Still,hang to do saun A me ciiiIk bur v Very pass* as sti fort lt;an e hum hood victi rial lt;end i likeibogvientk—W«lt; !A^intsharis.”Wof Ithensaid it*jtcese.asJill-ir.n.I l»yIth.it. K.Vinos•Jork.StoreslistingTHIS oi.i norsEhas a history of great interest. It wasa * i • 0built bv Johnathan Crookcr, a blacksmith, who cut all tin* timber used in its construction in the woods about Witch Spring, ami who hammered on his own anvil all the nails it took. Uncle Win. Donnell, a rich old bachelor, lived and died here, as did likewise Miss Rachel Hishop, since her time a Mr. Varney a teamster, and it has been occupied for the last twenty years by John (iilmore, a teamster also. When the old place was demolished many relics of olden time were found, among them being a cannon ball,a penny of date 1750, and other coins.Returning to The Cedars, however. It is nowc 11 * ITE A N I I) K AI; I tVt*11ELOIt's 110 M E,within as well as without. Substantial and elegant heavy English carpets deaden the foot falls, in the north parlor a tiled and brass protected fireplace adds cosiness to the elegance of -the surroundings. _ A nevv_ Steck piano invites the musical to play, and exquisite oil paintings the artistic to enjoy their beauty. The south parlor, the halls and chambers are equally elegant and on every wall rare paintings and engravings hang, the most of which would be prized by any gallery of art in our land. We make below a partial list:—Relic of Naples; Young (iirl awaiting her Lover; Rubbles; Swiss Peasant (iirl; Summer and Autumn, companion pieces; Swiss Mountain Scene («) Saluting the Cross; (6) the Feasant’s Lunch; Two panels water colored Cascades in the Adiromlaeks; water color scenery on the Schuylkill ;Feeding the Chickens; a lady's head and bust; The Holy Family after Androa-dcLSarta.;Chomisl.and .Alchemist, companion paintings (originals by David Teniers;) a panel Hollyhocks by Mrs. Andrews of this city; marine view off Dover bv \V. L Knabe; head of the younger Rembrant; Soldier Roy and Dog by J. (iyselineke; The Holy Family; a Modonna; a Reatrice; Mother and Rabe.Resides these and family paintings are many others, and fine engravings. Most of the paintings were purchased abroad. Those obtained in Europe by Mr. John Houghton were wrecked on the voyage home and were retouched by Harris.OF THE lUIXTIXliSEspecially beautiful is the Relle ol Naples, and exceedingly fine is the portrait ol the younger Rembrant. The Holy* Family alter del Sarto was purchased in Europe by Oapt. G. C. Goss and bought by Mr. Houghton from the captain. The painting of the Maiden at the Balcony was put* chased in Europe by Dr. Merritt, the Oak-The ship Geo. R. Skolfield, built at Ilarpsmdlwas successfully launched last Saturday at 11 Jit) p. m. About a thousand .people gathered in the morning to witness the launch, which was deferred until'cvening on 'account of low tide, much to. the disappointment of the assembled throng.The (ieo. R. Skolfield is a finely modelled ship and is much admired by those versed in shipping, both on account ol her beauty and durability, neither time nor money has been spared to render her stanch, and handsome. She (I suppose a ship is called she even when endowed with a masculine name) measures 2ol feet over all; beam 10 feet, depth of hold 21 feet, and will register somewhat rising sixteen hundred tons measurement. Ninety-eight tons of iron were used in the construction of her hull, and she is said by competent judges to In* one of the best, if not !hlt;‘ best ship, ever built in Maine. Her cabins are finished in walnut, rosewood, ash and California ehcrrv, and are vcrv handsome. Capt. Clement S. Dunning of Ilarpswell is to command her and Mr. A. II. Preble of Woolwich is to be her first officer.She towed directly to Portland to receive her spars ami a few finishing touches, after which she will probably -charter for the East Indies or California grain trade. This fine ship, commanded by a young captain, whose capabilities have been thoroughly tested, with so cflicient a first oflicer as Mr. Preble is known to be. will doubtless be a source ot much pride as well as income to her owners, and is destined to plough the ocean for many years, carrying the products of ditlerent countries from port to port. ***— .... —The surviving Confederate Commanders, say the Macon. Ga., Telegraph could save much t rouble and many heartburnings by meeting in convention and agreeing upon a history of the war. I’ne result of their labors would be of inestimable value to posterity and would settle many vexed questions.me rod M shil V wit side littl ove of j mosonalnothbutgreervbeeaon to i bit son the Iis I far“Htin tin iiu th: Til en roi tin sk ehsn soTHE BELLS OF SHANDON.Hcv. Francis Maftnnrt/, authvr of the “/VofrtPapers.With deep affection ami recollection I often think of those Shandon bells.Whose sound ho wild, would, in day* of childhood, Kllng round my cradle their mngic spelts.On this I ponder, where’er I wander,And thtiH grow fonder, sweet fork, of thee;With thy bells of Shandon,That sound ho grand on The pleasant wateisof the river Lee.Pve heard bells chiming full many a clime in, 'rolling sublime in cathedral shrine;While at a glibe rate brass tongues would vibrate, Hut all their music spoke not lik«* thine;For memory dwelling on each proud swelling Of thv belfry knelling its bold notes fret1,Made the hells of MmndonSound far more grand on The pleasant waters of the river Lee.I’ve heard bells tolling “old Adrian's Mole” in, Their thunder rolling from the Vatican,And cymbals gloiiou^, swinging uproarious In t»;e gorgeous turrets of Notre Dame;Hut thy sounds were sweeter than the dome of PeterKliugs o’er the Tiber, pealing solemnly.(, the bells of Shamlon.Hound far more grand on •The pleasant waters of the river Lee!There's a bell In Moscow, while on tower and Uiusko,In St. Sophia the Turkman gets.Ai.d loud in air calls men to prayer From the tapering summit of tall minarets.Such empty puantom, I freely grant them;But there’s an anthem more dear to me;'Tis the bells of Shandon,That sound so grand on The pleusaut waters of the river Lee.fasttlliwtikslt;uhds0entsIt
Newspaper Details
Independent Junior
Bath, Maine, US
Sat, Jun 27, 1885
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ME, USA 14 Feb 2020
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