On the westerly slope of the Palisades, and two miles to the west of
the Hudson, this residence was built by one of New York’s retired
merchants.
It is sixteen miles from Jersey City, in a town of but a few years
growth, named “Terrafly,” in Bergen county, and stands on a hill
commanding some of the most charming pieces of pastoral scenery,
occupying about thirty acres laid out in lawns, walks, gardens, etc.,
and tastefully ornamented with shrubbery, having a fountain on the lawn
in front of the house (as shown.)
The approach is from the public road, by a drive through a grove of
about ten acres of stately trees, passing by the side of a pretty
pond formed by the contributions of several streams and making a
considerable sheet of water. About the middle of this pond the sides
approach so near to each other as to be spanned by an artistic little
stone arched bridge which leads to the garden.
From the house one looks on a lovely panorama of inland scenery. The
Palisades towards the east, the Ramapo mountains to the northwest; and
looking in a southerly direction the numerous suburban villages and
elegant villas near New York may be seen.
The house is constructed of best Philadelphia pressed brick with
water-table, quoins, and general trimmings of native brown stone neatly
cut. It stands high on a basement of native quarry building stone and
has for its foundation a permanent bed of concrete which likewise forms
the basement floors, as well as a durable bedding for the blue flagging
of Kitchen and Laundry hearths.
[Illustration: FIG. 2.]
The arrangement of plan is admirably calculated to conduce to the
comfort of the family. It is as follows:
Fig. 1 shows the plan of the basement. A, steps and passage leading
from Yard. B, Servant’s Dining Room. C, C, C, Coal Cellar and Passages.
D, Kitchen. E, Pantry. F. Laundry. G, G, Cellars. H, Water Closet. I,
Wash tubs in Laundry. J, Dumb waiter. K, Wash-tray. L, Sink. M, Back
stairs.
Fig. 2 shows the plan of the principal story. A, Dining Room. B,
Drawing Room. C, and D, Parlors connected by sliding doors with the
Drawing Room through the hall. E, Principal staircase. F, Back Hall.
G, Butler’s Pantry with dumb waiter, plate closet, wash-trays, etc. H,
Back stairs. J, Conservatory. K, Steps leading down to Yard. L, L, L,
Verandahs. M, M, Piscinæ.
[Illustration: FIG. 3.]
Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the Chamber floor, or second story. A,
the Hall. B, C, D, and E, Chambers. F. Boudoir. G, Closet. H, Passage
to Boudoir. I, Half landing connected with rear addition. J, Back
passage. K, Bath Room. L, M, N, Servant’s Bed Rooms. O, O, O, Clothes
Closets. P, Water Closet, _o_, _o_, _o_, _o_, _o_, _o_, Wardrobes in
the several Chambers. These occupy the angle enclosed by the slope of
the Mansard, thus leaving the walls of the chambers plumb.
The roof is flat, and is embellished at the curb with a rich traceried
iron balustrade, making a safe and desirable promenade platform. All
the accessories that go to make a comfortable home are provided, and
the whole forms a model retreat from busy life to Nature and her charms.