Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/103

Rh was beautifully frescoed in gay colors. At the back of these parlors was another large room, used as a dining-room on particular occasions; it ran crosswise, and was most elegantly furnished. There was the greatest profusion of silver scattered here and there through this room, I ever saw in one house in this country. On going up stairs, I went from room to room until I had counted seven on the second floor, all exquisitely furnished in rosewood; there was a great number of beautiful paintings. The third floor was furnished in mahogany, and was elegant. I then went down to the basement. In the front is an office, and a large family dining-room. Taken all in all, it is a large and magnificent house. I have always been treated very kindly by the whole family, from the oldest to the youngest; so, like all travelers, I took some refreshment and left.

I then went down the Fifth-avenue, to the house of Mrs. B. Her house is five stories high. In the basement is a kitchen, a billiard room, and an elegant parlor for her servants. In this parlor are mirrors larger than I have seen in many parlors even in the city. On entering the principal hall, there was a most beautiful figure in bronze of a horse as large as life. Certainly the attitude and appearance were very graceful. The first parlor was green and gold; the drapery around the numerous windows was superb. The second parlor furniture was the most delicate shade of blue and gold; the wall was the lightest tinge of rose and gold; the mantles of the most pure and elegant marble, supported on each side by figures having the appearance of the old Knickerbockers. The tables looked like masses of gold and marble.