X-*. 
 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
 
 OP 
 
 PHIL-ELLENA, 
 
 COUNTRY SEAT OF GEORGE W. CARPENTER, 
 
 GERMANTOWN, PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PENN. 
 
 Situate on the Germantown Main Street, about seven and a half miles from 
 the city. Commenced in 1841, and finished in 1844. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 PRINTED BY BARRINGTON AND HASWELL. 
 
 1844. 
 
 
 

PRE FAC E 
 
 These pages are intended for gratuitous distribution, and 
 are written as a compliment to the Artists, Mechanics, and 
 Labourers, employed in erecting and finishing the various 
 buildings, furnishing materials, and laying out the grounds, 
 &c. There will no doubt occur, in the haste of publication, 
 some omission of names, which it is hoped will be attributed 
 to an oversight, as every name will be given which can be 
 recollected, and no one will be intentionally omitted. 
 
 GEORGE W. CARPENTER. 
 
PHIL-ELLENA. 
 
 The grounds on which the Mansion and other 
 buildings are erected contain about 36 acres. The 
 front on the Main street of Germantown is about 
 600 feet, and is enclosed by a stone wall about 3 feet 
 high, on which is erected a fancy fence richly or- 
 namental, made of red cedar, and painted white. 
 There are 3 large circular gates, with 14 heavy mas- 
 sive posts with Gothic vases of large size. The 
 gates at each end are used for carriage ways, and 
 the centre gates for foot ways. The lawn in front 
 of the building is large, and ornamented with fine 
 forest trees interspersed with evergreens and shrub- 
 bery. The forest trees embrace some of the finest 
 specimens of the elm, beach, sycamore, linden, tulip 
 and English poplars, cedars, pines, &c., &c; and the 
 walks bordered with balm of Gileads, Norway 
 spruce, silver pines, arbor vita's, Irish yews, and 
 
 others. 
 
 1* 
 
The mansion is situate about 200 feet from the 
 front fence, in the centre of the lot ; on the north of 
 it is a summer house of octagonal form, supported by 
 8 fluted columns with antique caps, built over an 
 ice-house, and surrounded by a grove of trees. On 
 the south is a Grecian temple with porticos back 
 and front, each supported by 4 fluted columns with 
 antique caps of composite, in which the cap of the 
 columns of the Tower of the Winds is the base. 
 This temple is intended for a museum to contain 
 cabinets and collections in the various branches of 
 natural history, arts, and sciences. On the south of 
 this is a hot house in two apartments covering a 
 large area; in the rear of which is attached a shed 
 covering 6 large furnaces for anthracite coal, by 
 which heat is communicated through flues to regu- 
 late the temperature within the inclosure. The in- 
 side is fitted up with staging for plants, and a mar- 
 gin on each side of about 4 feet wide used as a vine 
 border for grapes. The rafters and uprights are all 
 trellised with strong iron wire, and each rafter sup- 
 ports a different vine, embracing all the finest varie- 
 ties of foreign grapes; — large cisterns above and be- 
 low ground, holding over 6000 gallons of water, with 
 pumps and hydrant pipes are in constant requisition 
 to water the extensive collection of exotics contained 
 in the green house. 
 
 The mansion house is of the Grecian order, com- 
 manding a view of the spacious lawn in front and of 
 
the street on which it is bounded. The whole front 
 of the building is about 165 feet, with large porticos 
 back and front ; also fourteen Ionic columns front 
 and six back. It consists of a main building 101 
 feet in the clear, and two wings attached of 54 feet. 
 The wing on the south is used as a conservatory, 
 and that on the north as a kitchen, with a conserva- 
 tory front, corresponding with the south wing. The 
 following letters will briefly recapitulate and de- 
 scribe the various parts of the mansion. 
 
 A. Front Portico, supported by 12 Ionic columns, 
 with capitals, from the example of the Temple 
 of Minerva Polas, which constitutes one of the por- 
 ticos from the Erectheon Temple at Athens. 
 
 B. Porticos of North and South Wings, each 
 supported by 4 columns and capitals, from the ex- 
 ample of the Ionic Temple near the river Illisus at 
 Athens. 
 
 C. Hall, 11 by 20 feet, with triangular panneled 
 ceiling and enriched cornice and mouldings in stucco. 
 
 D. Saloon, with sliding doors communicating with 
 parlors and drawing-rooms ; the ceiling divided by a 
 rich Grecian entablature, supported by 4 Scagliola 
 columns and anteas ; also decorated with reed and 
 arabesque ornaments, forming the centres for chan- 
 
8 
 
 deliers. The side walls panneled, the ground work 
 being divided in blocks of variegated marble. At 
 the entrance are the figures of Peace and Plenty on 
 the side walls in medalions, executed by the distin- 
 guished artist Monachesi of Italy, taken from Ra- 
 phaels fresco painting in the hall of the Vatican at 
 Rome. From the centre of the ceiling is suspended 
 an eighteen branch chandelier of the manufacture of 
 Cornelius & Co., and highly creditable to their esta- 
 blishment for its rich and superb finish. The floor of 
 the hall is covered with oil cloth in one piece, design- 
 ed to match the Scagliola columns. The staircase, 
 which commences about the centre of the hall, is of 
 elliptical form, with continued railing to attic story. 
 The banisters are richly carved, and surmounted 
 with mahogany railing. The stairs, from landing to 
 attic, covered with a velvet Saxony carpet, double 
 bordered ; on the first landing is a Franklin Win- 
 dow, with stained glass, executed by Mr. Gibson of 
 New York, who is entitled to great credit for the 
 superiority and beauty of his work in this and 
 other parts of the building. The principal subject 
 in this window is the picture of Aurora, by Guido. 
 The side lights of this window, as well as the side 
 and top lights of the front and back doors, are filled 
 with trophies of game and fish, fruit and flowers; 
 the whole of the colours of the richest and most per- 
 manent kind are burnt in !he glass, and renders them 
 almost as enduring as time. The doors opening in 
 the various rooms from the hall are painted in imi- 
 
tation of oak and oak root, designed to represent 
 strength and durability, are executed in a masterly 
 style by John Gibson of Philadelphia, who has ac- 
 quired a high reputation, and much celebrity, for his 
 skill in the imitation of the various kinds of wood 
 used in ornamental work. The great art of the 
 painter in this branch consists not merely in the lay- 
 ing on of the various colours, but in the adaptation 
 of tints which will contrast and harmonize not only 
 with themselves, but also with the uses and charac- 
 ter of the various apartments. Mr. Gibson has not 
 only succeeded most admirably and effectually to 
 make a correct imitation, but also in keeping up such 
 tones as to secure a combination of beauty and har- 
 mony throughout the building. 
 
 E. Two Parlors on the right of the hall, contain- 
 ing about 912 square feet, with 5 windows extending 
 to the floor, an enriched entablature supported by 4 
 Scagliola columns and anteas. The ceilings are de- 
 corated with arabesque ornaments, intermixed with 
 flowers, butterflies, &c, forming a compartment, in 
 the centre of which are paintings of circular form, 
 representing in front room Philosophy, and the back 
 room Poetry, taken from Raphael's fresco painting 
 in the halls of the Vatican. The frieze is divided 
 in hexagonal form, in the centre of which are birds, 
 flowers, &c. These ceilings, as well as all of those 
 on the first and second floor, are drawn true to na- 
 ture and art by the talented and far-famed Mona. 
 
10 
 
 chesi ; all the doors in these apartments are in imi- 
 tation of satin wood, the tones of which have the 
 lightness and vivacity so characteristic of the seve- 
 ral apartments. In the centre of the entablature is 
 suspended one of Cornelius's IS branch chandeliers ; 
 on the north side are mantels of statuary marble, 
 back and front richly carved and ornamented, re- 
 presenting a basket of flowers on the frieze, and 
 clusters of Morning Glories on the pilasters, executed 
 by Thomas M. Birchell, who received a medal for 
 the same at one of the exhibitions of the Franklin 
 Institute. On the top of the mantels to the ceiling 
 are French plate mirrors, with rich ornamental gilt 
 frames, by Robinson of Chestnut street. The floors 
 are covered with rich Wilton carpeting with double 
 borders. The furniture are rose-wood Gothic sofa 
 tables, with Egyptian marble tops ; chairs, ottomans, 
 sofas and lounges, with embroidered needle work co- 
 vering ; a fine finished statue of Apollo from the pure 
 white statuary marble of Italy, executed by Pozzetto; 
 a pier table, with several hundred small blocks of 
 polished marble, all from different localities and from 
 various parts of the world, manufactured in Italy, and 
 accompanied with a record describing their quali- 
 ties and localities ; several beautiful devices of shell- 
 work, of flowers, fruits, ancient temples, &c. 
 
 F. Two Drawing Rooms on left of hall, same 
 dimensions as parlors, with two recesses, in which 
 are French plate pier glasses, 120 inches by 40, with 
 
11 
 
 superb frames by Robinson. The ceilings of both 
 rooms ornamented with carved work and paintings 
 decorated in the Elizabethian style, intermixed with 
 grape vines, birds, peacock feathers, &c, &c. The 
 centres of octagonal form, representing in the front 
 Justice, and in the back room Piety or Theology, 
 from Raphael's fresco paintings in the hall of the 
 Vatican. The cornice frieze is ornamented with 
 shells, flowers, heads, &c, &c. All the doors in 
 these apartments are in imitation of elm root, whose 
 richness and variety of colours harmonize with the 
 elegance and magnificence of the whole, and which 
 reflect great credit on Mr. Gibson's taste and skill. 
 In the centre is suspended an 18 branch chandelier 
 of Cornelius, similar to the parlors. The furniture 
 in these rooms are rose wood of very superior finish, 
 manufactured in Philadelphia and New York, and 
 fully equal to any of the French importations. The 
 locks, fastenings, and hinges of these and all other 
 rooms in the house, are silver plated, manufactured 
 by Mr. Rogers of Seventh street, and are highly 
 creditable to him as a master of his profession. Su- 
 perb transparent window shades, on rollers, painted 
 by William Gibson of Philadelphia, are considered 
 superior to any of the French importation. These 
 shades are in all the windows of the first story of the 
 main house, back and front, and are very ornamental. 
 
 G. Library, containing 500 square feet ; the win- 
 dows running to the floor and communicating with 
 
12 
 
 the front portico. A large bay window, looking 
 south on the lawn, is filled with ornamental stained 
 glass, executed with great effect, and much admired 
 by every one. The ceilings are panneled and orna- 
 mented with carved mouldings, enriched with gold; 
 the entablature extends round the room and finishes 
 over the windows and sliding doors, supported by 
 enriched anteas. The compartment of the ceiling 
 is decorated with ornaments, emblematic of the arts; 
 the centre, of circular form, represents Raphael's 
 splendid painting of Jupiter from the fresco paint- 
 ing in the hall of the Vatican ; a fancy border with 
 gold rosettes in pannels, encloses the compartment. 
 The doors are in imitation of black walnut, which 
 has all the sombre, grave, and at the same time sub- 
 stantial character so essential to a study. The room 
 is rilled with book cases, of the same material, made 
 in the Gothic style, from designs by Mr. Johnson, 
 who is entitled to great credit for his drawings and 
 drafts of these and of various other designs in differ- 
 ent parts of the building. On the broad frieze, be- 
 low the heavy block cornice on each book-case, are 
 carved letters of the Gothic or old English text, giv- 
 ing the contents of each case in the following classi- 
 fication and order : on the frieze of 
 
 No. 1 . — History, Biography, Voyages, and Travels. 
 
 No. 2. — Law, Politics, Political Economy, and 
 Trade. 
 
13 
 
 No. 3.— Poetry, Religion, Metaphysics, Oratory, 
 Drama, and Music. 
 
 No. 4.— -Antiquities, Architecture, Sculpture, Paint- 
 ing, Games, and Sports. 
 
 No. 5.— Romance and Fiction, Souvenirs, Maga- 
 zines, Portraits, and Scenery. 
 
 No. 6. — Botany, Rural Affairs, Mineralogy, Ge- 
 ology, Zoology, Ornithology, Conchology, Chemis- 
 try, Medicine, Arts, and Trades. 
 
 No. 7.— Classical and Polymathic Writers, Lan- 
 guages, Dictionaries, Grammar, Education, Mathe- 
 matics, Natural Philosophy, and Miscellaneous. 
 
 H. Study, with doors communicating with the 
 library, drawing room, and conservatory of plants 
 on the south, with a window opening on the lawn 
 to the south-west. This is a neat and retired apart- 
 ment, furnished with revolving chairs, carpets, 
 French escritoires, book-cases, &c. 
 
 I. Passage from Library to Conservatory, with 
 window south-west. 
 
 K. Private Staircase to chamber in second story 
 over the south-wing. 
 
 2 
 
14 
 
 L. Lobby. 
 
 M. Conservatory, 25 by 31 feet with glass sash 
 on the sides and top, and a neat stageing for choice 
 flowers in bloom, kept constantly supplied from the 
 large hot-house. 
 
 N. Pump used to draw rain water from cistern 
 in basement story, which receives the water from 
 the roof of the main building, and contains about 
 1500 gallons. 
 
 0. Basement Story under conservatory, with stair- 
 way to communicate, in which is a furnace and boiler 
 with iron pipes conveying the hot water round this 
 apartment, for heating the air in winter, and effectu- 
 ally answering the purpose, and are superior to the 
 brick flues. The plan and workmanship executed by 
 the skilful and enterprising founders and machinists, 
 Morris, Tasker and Morris, of Philadelphia, who 
 also executed in a very satisfactory manner various 
 other work in their line. On the eastern front of the 
 conservatory, is a niche in mastic cement containing 
 a carved figure of Flora ; also in the corresponding 
 niche in the northern wing, a figure of Ceres. These 
 and other statues, to be described hereafter, were exe- 
 cuted by Rush, in whose work the great genius of 
 his distinguished sire is traced, and by whose pliant 
 hand the inanimate log is suddenly made to start 
 into all the semblance of life and beauty. 
 
15 
 
 P. Breakfast Parlor, similar in size and finish to 
 the library, constitutes the north wing of the main 
 building, that and the library forming the two ex- 
 tremities ; all the intermediate rooms communicating 
 by sliding doors, and when those are thrown open, 
 forms an unbroken connection throughout, with a 
 large bay window of stained glass, similar to that of 
 the library, looking to the north-west, in front of 
 which is a grove of trees, surrounding the summer 
 and ice house. The centre of this ceiling represents 
 Mars in his Chariot (from the beautiful painting of 
 Raphael, in fresco, in the Vatican), encircled with 
 festoons of flowers, and the richest specimens of 
 Audubon's coloured birds, &c. The compartments 
 closed by long pannels, having in the centres grape 
 vines and fruit, and in the angles at the corners, 
 heads representing the seasons, in appropriate cha- 
 racters and designs. The doors in this apartment 
 are in imitation of Spanish mahogany, combining 
 richness and warmth of tone. It contains three front 
 windows with sash extending to the floor and open- 
 ing on the portico, which can be used as doors. The 
 furniture is mahogany and rose wood, with a Saxony 
 medallion carpet, &c, &c. 
 
 Q. Pantry. 
 
 R. Butler's Closet, communicating with breakfast 
 room and passage to kitchen. This closet is very 
 conveniently constructed with a private outside door, 
 
16 
 
 and a door also inside, so that articles can be placed 
 in the closet by the outside door and received inside 
 by the other door, without the necessity of a ser- 
 vant entering the parlor ; and communication may 
 also be had with the domestics by means of speak- 
 ing tubes from the parlor to the kitchen. 
 
 S. Fire Proof. 
 
 T. Private Stairs to second story. 
 
 U. Small Conservatory in front of kitchen. 
 
 V. Kitchen, 31 by 18, containing cooking range, 
 constructed by Julius Fink, cistern pump, hydrant 
 for cold spring water, also for hot water, boilers, &c. 
 
 W. Back Portico. 
 
 X. South Passage to cellar and basement of Greer* 
 House. 
 
 Y. North Passage to kitehen cellar and Wine- 
 Vaults. 
 
 Z. Steps and Entrances to kitchen. 
 
 AA. Steps and Entrance to conservatory, front of 
 the kitchen. 
 
17 
 
 The plastering of the inside of the house is exe- 
 cuted in a very superior manner, with rich cornices, 
 mouldings, and other ornaments, all of which was 
 done by James Frankland, plasterer, residing in 
 George street, between Schuylkill Fifth and Sixth 
 streets, north side. The outside of the main build- 
 ing and museum is covered with mastic cement, 
 which is far superior in beauty of finish and dura- 
 bility to the ordinary rough casting of lime, &c. ; no 
 lime enters into the composition of the mastic, which 
 consists of boiled linseed oil, of a thick consistence, 
 which, with the oxides and carbonate of lead, clean 
 bar sand, and other ingredients, mixed with great 
 care, and put on with an experienced hand, forms a 
 cement impervious to water, hard as a stone, and of 
 great durability. It is of great importance to have 
 a master-hand in executing such work, and the pro- 
 prietor can recommend with great confidence James 
 Frankland, as a man fully qualified and perhaps the 
 best qualified, at present, in this country, for such 
 work. 
 
 Under the building are cellars containing about 
 3300 square feet, in which are two large hot air fur- 
 naces, constructed by Mr. Potts, of Market street, 
 and built by Aaron Fogg, which answers effectually 
 the purpose of distributing heat throughout the 
 whole house ; also a superior force pump with air 
 chamber, &c, to raise the water from the bottom 
 of a well, a short distance from the house, and con- 
 . 2* 
 
18 
 
 vey it to a large cistern in the attic story, by which 
 water is distributed in hydrant pipes through the 
 house, supplying baths, kitchen, fountain front of the 
 house, &c, &c. 
 
 These fixtures and all the plumbing in the main 
 building and hot-houses, were executed by Messrs. 
 Wright and Hunter, plumbers, Eighth street below 
 Market, which were all finished in the most supe- 
 rior manner, and highly creditable to them; and the 
 proprietor takes great pleasure in recommending 
 them to all persons who build houses, as highly 
 worthy and enterprising mechanics, fully masters of 
 their profession, and who attend personally to their 
 business. 
 
 The second story is divided into 15 rooms, 5 of 
 which contain an area of 400 square feet each. The 
 ceilings are decorated with Raphaelese and Ara- 
 besque ornaments, interspersed with flowers and 
 figures, forming the different compartments and de- 
 signs in each room: such as Power or Force by 
 Raphael, Night and Day, Flora, Juno, &c, &c. 
 
 The chambers are covered with Saxony and Brus- 
 sels carpet, and the furniture rose wood, walnut 
 and mahogany, most of which was manufactured in 
 a superior manner by the industrious and enterpris- 
 ing Robertson, No. 137 Walnut street. 
 
19 
 
 One of these rooms is used as a picture gallery, 
 the walls of which are covered with numerous 
 splendid paintings, by eminent artists of Europe and 
 America ; among which are the following subjects: 
 
 Orphans at the Grave of their Mother ; an inter- 
 esting and highly finished picture by Rochen. 
 
 The Poor Officer's Widow receiving Alms from a 
 Pensioner of L 'Hotel des Invalids ; a picture full of 
 sentiment and truth, by M. Pages. 
 
 The Convalescent ; a very highly finished picture, 
 by Midi, 
 
 The Retreating Arab — Recollections of the Cam- 
 paign of Egypt ; a fine painting by H. Vernet. 
 
 Two pictures of " Children playing the Soldier 
 and Postilion ; very excellent composition by Jac- 
 quand. 
 
 Cattle Piece ; a choice picture by Berru 
 
 Moonlight — the Ship Wrecked and on Fire; a very 
 choice painting by Poittevin. 
 
 The Thunder Storm and the Cherished Dog; 
 charming composition by Beaume. 
 
20 
 
 The Impending Storm — Friends in Danger; a 
 highly finished and interesting composition by Be- 
 veria. 
 
 The Mother's Fright; an interesting picture by 
 Franquelin. 
 
 The Echo, a lady in the foreground touches the 
 guitar, a cavalier in the distance takes up and con- 
 tinues the strain, a complete picture by Roqueplan. 
 
 Devotion ; a large and splendid painting, a highly 
 creditable production by Street. 
 
 The Ramble in the Country ; a gentleman cutting 
 Petrifactions from a rock, an interesting picture by 
 CiboU 
 
 The windows in this room open to the west from 
 which the most delightful scenery and landscape 
 meet the eye ; and on every side, the most pleasing 
 scenes present themselves to view. The touching 
 aspect of delightful nature, the variegated verdure 
 of the forests of fruits and shrubbery, the soft agita- 
 tions of the foliage, the sweet warblings and enliven- 
 ing strains of the feathered choir, chaunting their 
 rural songs, the glassy surface of the silent waters, 
 and the daisied borders of the silver lake; the solemn 
 and stately march of men returning from their daily 
 toil, the graceful movements of the generous and 
 
21 
 
 noble steeds, with the rambles of innocent Iambs, 
 all in view. Who would not rather seek in these 
 delightful retreats these pure and simple pleasures 
 of nature, so delicious in recollection, and produc- 
 tive of joy so pure, so affecting, so different from 
 what is acquired amidst the noise and clamour of a 
 crowded city, and the bustle, care and toil of an ac- 
 tive business, and yet how loth are we to exchange ! 
 What purity of sentiment, what peaceful repose, 
 what exalted happiness is thus inspired ! How far 
 more interesting to the heart are the delightful occu- 
 pations of rural industry than the dull and tasteless 
 entertainments of a dissipated city, and how much 
 more easily the most excruciating sorrows are pleas- 
 ingly subdued on the fragrant borders of a peaceful 
 stream, than in the midst of those treacherous de- 
 lights which occupy the court of kings { 
 
 In the centre of the roof of main building is erect- 
 ed an octagonal observatory, supported by eight 
 Grecian columns, with antique caps ; also eight sets 
 of sash doors ; opening and communicating with a 
 balcony, which forms a walk of four feet wide 
 around the same, enclosed by a neat Chinese railing. 
 It is on an elevation of more than 500 feet above the 
 level of Philadelphia. Here may be seen with the 
 naked eye vessels plying on the Delaware, the va- 
 rious public buildings, and churches of the city, Gi- 
 rard College, the villages of Mantua, Hamilton, 
 Roxborough, Chesnut Hill, &c, &c. ; and in the in- 
 
22 
 
 tervening distance, the most fertile and luxuriant 
 valleys, clothed with vegetation, forests of fruit and 
 groves of shrubbery, extensive meadows, and beau- 
 tiful lawns, dotted with cottages, far as the eye can 
 reach. From this view also the grounds and build- 
 ings of Mr. Carpenter can be seen in coup aVozil. 
 The various buildings, with their neat and elevated 
 spires, the beautiful lawn subdivided in neat and 
 fanciful beds, with capacious gravelled walks; the 
 extensive garden enclosed in a richly ornamented 
 Chinese open-wood fence, &c, &c. 
 
 On the west, a short time before sunset in autumn, 
 the most pleasing and interesting scenes present 
 themselves to our view. The brilliant sun, sinking 
 behind the elevated boundaries of the Wissahiccon 
 and Schuylkill, tinges the autumnal foliage of the 
 forest with its golden rays : 
 
 How beautiful are those skies at eve, 
 
 As the sun in splendour set, 
 
 While darkness hovers on the eastern wave, 
 
 Which the evening rays forget. 
 
 The feathered choir with melodious warblings, 
 hastening to seek their mossy cells — a soft, a silent, 
 and serene repose. The lively flocks quitting their 
 rich pastures to seek their evening folds. How pleas- 
 ing is the spot, from which the home of birth, in- 
 fancy, and childhood can be seen : and who is it that 
 does not prefer his native fields to any other place — 
 
23 
 
 not that they are more beautiful, but because he 
 was there brought up? The spot on which we 
 passed our infant days possesses a secret charm> 
 an inexpressible enchantment, superior to every 
 other enjoyment. No other spot on the face of the 
 earth can equal that on which the gambols of our 
 infant days were passed without inquietude or 
 care — without even the use or thought of drugs and 
 medicines. In those delightful days of early youth 
 the trivial event of even rinding a bird's nest is 
 capable of affording unbounded pleasure ; what hap- 
 piness I have experienced from the caressing of 
 the little captive, in teaching it to pick its victuals 
 from my mouth, while its wings fluttered with gra- 
 titude, and its thankful heart throbbed through its 
 breast with joy against my hand. The mind also 
 contemplates the pranks of school, the sprightly 
 aberrations of boyish days, the wanton stories of 
 early youth, our plays and pastimes, and all the lit- 
 tle hopes and fears of infancy with fond delight. 
 With school companions and desk mates, how va- 
 rious are the changes which the lapse of time has 
 made ? Some of them in prosperity, some in adver- 
 sity; some in honor and high standing, others in 
 dishonour and degradation ; some in the splendour 
 of wealth and affluence, and others in poverty and 
 want ; some are roaming about in distant lands 
 without a fixed abode, or a home ; others have re- 
 mained in the land of their nativity ; some are sin- 
 gle men, and others at the head of a family, with a 
 
24 
 
 loving wife and fond children, to greet their arrival 
 home. — What can be more delightful to a busi- 
 ness man, or to a professional man, than his dear 
 wife and darling children; and how pleasing is it to 
 see the studious and industrious man, abandoning 
 his recondite and laborious researches, escape from 
 the labyrinth, and find in the innocent and simple 
 enjoyments of his children and those about him, 
 more happiness, tranquillity, cordial sensation and 
 intellectual delight, than all the prosperity of fortune 
 which a lucrative business will insure, or even that 
 the arts and sciences can afford to their most ardent 
 and enthusiastic votaries. — Many have long since 
 been forgotten in the hollow cell of the silent tomb. 
 Such are the changes of all human affairs and the 
 uncertainty of every thing which appertains to earth. 
 
 On the south-east you observe the Museum, an 
 oblong building in the Grecian temple style, with 
 porticos front and back, supported by four columns 
 each, with niches containing statues of Minerva and 
 of Eloquence by Rush. The inside of this building 
 is finished with a gallery and opening in the centre 
 which is reached by a staircase in the rear. The 
 first floor is intended for collections in Ornithology, 
 Mineralogy, Geology, Conchology, Entimology, Bo- 
 tany, &c, in neat mahogany cases ; also cabinets of 
 ancient Coins, Medals, &c. The gallery is appro- 
 priated for objects of Zoology, and for assorted speci- 
 mens in the various departments of Natural History, 
 
25 
 
 arts and sciences. Over the western portico is a small 
 room fitted up for bees; and so constructed that the 
 bees may be seen at work from the inner side of the 
 building by means of glass partitions, &c. Under the 
 museum is a cellar, for storing boxes, packing, &c. 
 
 On the north-west is seen a beautiful octagonal 
 Summer House, on which rises, through a group of 
 trees, an octagon dome, surmounted by a spire 40 
 feet high, with an image of Mercury as a vane, carv- 
 ed by Rush and painted by Woodside ; a beautiful 
 carved figure on one of the octagonal divisions of 
 the roof, also by Rush, representing a youth in a 
 shivering position seated on blocks of ice, with 
 his mantle drawn around him. The lower part 
 of the building is finished with S columns, antique 
 caps, similar to those on the Museum, and enclosed 
 by S double sash doors opening on the lawn, on ail 
 sides. Under this is an Ice House, cut out of the 
 solid rock, containing when full about 1300 cubic 
 feet of ice. 
 
 Near the entrance at the south-east gate, is seen 
 the Hot House, covering an area of about 6000 
 square feet, and enclosed by a sash, containing ovef 
 25,000 lights of glass : in the rear of which and sub- 
 terraneous are six hot air furnaces, connected with 
 brick flues of about 800 feet in length, built by Robert 
 Luther of Philadelphia, which answers effectually 
 the purpose of preserving the plants during the most 
 severe and inclement weather of our winter months, 
 3 
 
26 
 
 The building is divided into three apartments, and 
 each can be regulated of different temperatures by- 
 separate furnaces and flues, so as to suit the variable 
 degrees of temperature required by plants coming 
 from all parts of the globe. 
 
 On the south is seen the Kitchen Garden, covering 
 an area of 45,000 square feet of ground, with six 
 spacious graveled walks, crossing each other at right 
 angles. These walks, as well as others comprising 
 the various avenues of the lawn, are made by a 
 depth of two feet of solid stone loosely thrown in 
 and Macadamised on the top, and then covered with 
 a thick stratum of red gravel from Coates's street, 
 near Fairmount. These, and the whole of the ground 
 plan, was constructed under the direction and super- 
 vision of Edwin M. Mather, ornamental gardener, 
 of Pine street, Philadelphia. 
 
 On the west of the main building is a neat cot- 
 tage of stone, 20 by 40 feet, two stories high, which 
 is occupied by Mr. Allen, the farmer ; and adjacent 
 to it is a cottage barn for cows and the working 
 horses employed on the farm. On this building is a 
 neat spire of about 25 feet, surmounted by a vane 
 representing a mermaid, a copy of that on the Tower 
 of the Winds. On the east of the farm cottage is a 
 capacious barn, SO by 50 feet, with a wing on ei\ch 
 side, for coach-house, harness room, wagon-house, 
 &c. The wing on the south is supported by piers 
 and truss girder, and open below so as to drive un- 
 
27 
 
 der for shelter, affording also a convenient place 
 to water and clean the coach horses, dec., having a 
 pump and other conveniences. On the western end 
 of the barn, on the lower floor is stabling for car- 
 riage and saddle horses ; the stabling, and the 
 whole of the first floor and the second story of the 
 wings are plastered with three coats, and the walls 
 and ceilings finished similar to dwelling houses. On 
 the centre of the building, is a handsome steeple, one 
 hundred feet from ground floor, surmounted with a 
 vane representing a figure of Diana with bow, ar- 
 rows and hound, carved by Rush and painted by 
 Woodside. On the south of the barn in the meadow 
 is a neat Spring House, two stories high, over a never- 
 failing spring of water, on which rises, through a 
 copse of trees, a neat spire surmounted by a vane 
 representing Neptune, neatly carved by Rush and 
 painted by Woodside. This spring with several 
 ahers which run through the ground and directed to 
 this point by subterranean aqueducts, supply two 
 artificial lakes stretching to the west several hundred 
 feet in length, and in width north and south about 
 100 feet, with a depth of 8 to 10 feet at the dam. It 
 is advantageously shaded on the south by a small 
 strip of wood which gives the spot a romantic 
 appearance. These lakes were made at a great ex- 
 pense ; and the proprietor has called them Silver 
 Lakes, from the beauty of nomenclature as well as a 
 facetious signification from the quantity of silver 
 sunk in their waters. 
 
28 
 
 No architect was employed about the buildings ; — 
 the plan being that of the proprietor, assisted by 
 Mr. Nathan Smedley, carpenter and chief builder, to 
 whom great credit is due for his talents and skill 
 in carrying out the various plans, as well as for 
 numerous original designs. The proprietor is also 
 greatly indebted to him for his assistance in pro- 
 jecting the design and plan of the main building 
 and all the out-houses on the grounds; also for 
 his faithful and indefatigable attention in super- 
 intending the work from the first entrance of the 
 spade in the ground to the last nail which was 
 driven, and the finishing stroke of the painter. The 
 proprietor also takes this opportunity, of recommend- 
 ing Mr. Smedley as a carpenter and builder of the 
 highest order of qualification, and as a prudent, care- 
 ful, honest and industrious man, and worthy the full 
 confidence of any person in town or country who 
 may design to have buildings erected in the best 
 manner with as little waste and unnecessary ex- 
 pense as possible. Great credit is also due to 
 Mr. William Johnston, draftsman, for his faithful 
 and accurate delineations and drawings of the mould- 
 ings, cornices, and various devices made use of in 
 and about the building; also to the following arti- 
 sans who contributed severally their labors to make 
 up the building from its commencement to its finish — 
 all of which was performed in the most satisfactory 
 manner. 
 
LIST OP 
 
 ARTISTS, MECHANICS, ETC., 
 
 Who Contracted for Various Parts of the Work. 
 
 Chief Builder. 
 N. Smedley. 
 
 Stone Masons. 
 Abraham Culp, 
 T. Glackins, 
 W. White, 
 J. Smith. 
 
 Plasterer. 
 ames Frankland. 
 
 Painters. 
 Joel Thorn, 
 Peter Field, 
 Asbury Regar. 
 
 Artists and Ornamental 
 Painters. 
 
 N. Monachesi, 
 John Gibson, 
 William Gibson. 
 
 Ornamental Gardener. 
 Edwin M. Mather. 
 
 Gardeners. 
 James Gallagher, 
 Aquilla Pasco. 
 
 Marble Masons. 
 Frederick Fritz, 
 Thomas M. Birchell, 
 W. H. Brown. 
 
30 
 
 Granite Masons, 
 Coffin & Biddle, 
 S. Hoxie, 
 Charles T. Depree. 
 
 Bricklayers. 
 
 Aaron Fogg, 
 R. Luther. 
 
 Iron Founders. 
 Morris, Tasker & Morris 
 
 Upholsterers. 
 W. C. Edwards, 
 Thomas Finly. 
 
 Carpetings. 
 J. B. Orne, 
 Hastings & Phillips. 
 
 Scagliola Columns. 
 Kelly & Farly. 
 
 Plumbers. 
 Wright & Hunter. 
 
 Blacksmiths. 
 Thomas Armitage. 
 Jacob Dull, Jr., 
 S. Coulson. 
 
 Tinsmiths. ' 
 George Johnson, 
 Thomas Y. Morris. 
 
 Locks, Bells, Hinges and 
 Plating. 
 
 Peter Rogers. 
 
 Carvers. 
 Bolton & Hamilton, 
 John Otton, 
 John Rush. 
 
 Plate and Window Glass. 
 
 Guy, Lussac & Co., Paris, 
 Coffin, Hay & Bow die, 
 A. & B. Haines. 
 
 Looking Glasses and Gild- 
 ing. 
 C. N. Robinson, 
 Spencer Nolen. 
 
 Wire, Screws, and Trel- 
 lises. 
 Wickersham & Davis. 
 
 Chandeliers, $*c. 
 Cornelius & Co. 
 
 Cabinet Makers. 
 /Thomas Robertson, 
 Crawford Riddle, 
 Samuel B. Bailey, 
 J. & H. Crout, 
 W. C. Edwards. 
 
The following Catalogue of Names, embrace persons who fur- 
 nished materials of different kinds for the buildings and various im- 
 provements on the 1 grounds; also, the operatives, as far as could 
 be ascertained, who were employed at the work. 
 
 Atherton, H. 
 Allen, William 
 Archer, Abel 
 Akin, William 
 Armitage, Thomas 
 Atherton, William 
 Allen, James 
 Archibald, John 
 Ashridge, Abraham 
 Allison, C. 
 Abbot, Theodore 
 Abbott, Miles M. 
 Albany, Levy 
 Andrews, William 
 Allen, Peter 
 Burns, Michael 
 Brownholtz, Joseph 
 Bolton, William P. 
 Bard & Lamont 
 Barber, J. & J. 
 Bennet, David 
 Brown, James 
 Broadhead, John H. 
 Birchell, Thomas M» 
 Barnard, Joseph S. 
 Bolton & Hamilton 
 Brown, Wm. H. 
 Brown, A. 
 Bisbing, Jacob 
 Buck, James 
 Bysher, Jacob 
 Barr, Henry 
 Bond & Pauling 
 Breason, James 
 Buest, Robert 
 Basketter & Marsh 
 Benton, A. & Co. 
 Burk, Joseph W. 
 Brano, Joseph 
 Barr, William 
 
 Bogan, Benjamin 
 Buddy, Samuel 
 Brown, William 
 Brown, John 
 Beck, Frederick 
 Booth, James H. 
 Bisher, Samuel B. 
 Bladen, George 
 Bell, Francis 
 Bailey, Samuel B. 
 Brooks, Joseph 
 Burns, Levi 
 Bailey & Kitchen 
 Bruner, A. 
 Bouvier, M. 
 Bur gin, J. 
 Brooks, David 
 Bisbing, Jacob M. 
 Brooks, John W. 
 Burtman, H. C. 
 Baeder, Charles 
 Bonsall, William 
 Burns, William 
 Buck, Robert 
 Buley, John 
 Cox, Charles 
 Cornel, Alexander 
 Cross, William 
 Carmody, Thomas 
 Carter, Amos 
 Coffin & Biddle 
 Culp, Abraham 
 Culp, Samuel 
 Coulston, Sylvester 
 Coulston, William 
 Crout, J. & A. 
 Cuthbert, Allen 
 Colwell, S. 
 Coggins, David 
 Cressman, Henry 
 
32 
 
 Chew, William S. 
 
 Coggon, Abraham 
 
 Callen, John 
 
 Carse, John 
 
 Crawford, John 
 
 Cruse, Daniel 
 
 Collins, Thomas 
 
 Carpenter, Aaron 
 
 Croskey, Henry- 
 Combs, John R. 
 
 Conwell, Edward 
 
 Conglum, T. 
 
 Colton, John 
 
 Capewell & Brother 
 
 Campbell, Peter 
 
 Conoroy, John 
 
 Clymer, John 
 
 Carney, Edward 
 
 Coates, Joseph P. H. 
 Cook, James 
 Clifford, Patrick 
 Cobb, James 
 Chambers, William C. 
 Cox, Gideon 
 Cornelius & Co. 
 Chatter ton, John 
 Coffin, Hay & Bcwdle 
 Conrad, James M. 
 Cropper, S. P. 
 Clark E. 
 Curtis & Hand, 
 Coverly, George W. 
 Campbell, John 
 Cameron, Robert 
 Casner, J. F. 
 Cannon, J. 
 Crout, Joseph R. 
 Campbell, James 
 Cross, William 
 Davis & Williams 
 Donley, David 
 Depree, Charles T. 
 Dreer, J. & J. 
 divine, Hugh 
 Duiap, Jefferson 
 Dager, W lliam 
 
 Duke, Bernard 
 
 Davis, James P, 
 
 Dull, Jacob, Jr. 
 
 Dickinson, John 
 
 Dehr, P. 
 
 Diver, William 
 
 Dickey, Thomas 
 
 Dickinson, Joseph 
 
 Daily, David 
 
 Davenport, R. W. 
 
 Duhring, H. 
 
 Dallet, E. 
 
 Davis, Thomas 
 Eegory, John M. 
 Donald, J. 
 Doah, Joseph 
 Dilastatius, Alfred 
 Dowling, Edward 
 Elder, Henry S. 
 Evans & Wister 
 Elliott, John 
 Esler, Benjamin 
 Ellis, Jonathan 
 Erwin, Joseph 
 Evesham & Colsher 
 Elliott, N. 
 Edwards, W. C. 
 Engard, W. H. 
 Engleman, Daniel W. 
 Eldridge &, Conrad 
 Evans, Oliver 
 Emerick, George 
 Eiserman, Charles 
 Engle, Delany 
 Engle, Aaron 
 Engle, George 
 Erwin, Joseph 
 Frankland, James 
 Farringer & Walter 
 Freeman, T. W. L. 
 Fritz, Frederick 
 Fillman, Charles 
 Fogg, Aaron 
 Feaster, John 
 Fink, Julius 
 Frankland, Henry, Sen. 
 
33 
 
 Forsyth, P. B., & Brother 
 
 Fickel, Jacob 
 
 Fisher, Samuel 
 
 Field, Peter . _ 
 
 Fisher, Peter 
 
 Finley & Co. 
 
 Furness, John D. 
 
 Fisher, Henry 
 
 Fisher, C. 
 
 Ford, Robert H. 
 
 Fort, R. 
 
 Frankland, Henry, Jr. 
 
 Flanagan, Matthew 
 
 Fitch, George 
 
 Given, Thomas G. 
 
 Glackins, S. 
 
 Gaskill, A. W. 
 
 Gerehardt, Jacob 
 
 Gallagher, James 
 
 Garvin, Anthony 
 
 Green, John H. 
 
 Gear, Ephraim 
 
 Gracy, John 
 
 Gibson, John 
 
 Gibson, William 
 
 Graham, John 
 
 Graff, Daniel 
 
 Goode, William 
 
 Guyer, William 
 
 Gowen, James 
 
 Gither, Jacob 
 
 Gray, Daniel 
 
 Guy, Lussac & Nolens 
 
 Given, James 
 
 Gardner, William 
 
 Gibbs, Job R. 
 
 Gibson, George H. 
 
 Gibson, William 
 
 Hoffey, John 
 
 Hart, Daniel 
 
 Hall, James 
 
 Haraden, J. 
 
 Hong, Levi 
 
 Homer & Hughes 
 
 Hocker, C. M. 
 
 Haines, A. & B. 
 Hansell, A. R. 
 Hoxie. Solomon K, 
 Hall, Thomas 
 Hamilton, Charles 
 Hubbard, William 
 Harper, John 
 Hudson, William 
 Hubbard, William, Jr. 
 Henry, Solomon 
 Hoyt, Jonathan 
 Hinkle, Peter B. 
 Henry, William 
 Hand, Stephen 
 Hutchinson, John 
 Hays, Jesse 
 Hastings & Phillips 
 Hinchman, Jacob 
 Hart, Daniel 
 Horner & Sons 
 Headman, G. & D. 
 Herbert & Davis 
 Haines, Reuben 
 Haines, Thomas 
 Hanna, George 
 Harding, John 
 Hippie, Albert 
 Hoge, Peter 
 Harris, Thomas 
 Hunter, William 
 Hartley, George 
 Hunter, William A. 
 Hutchinson, Hugh 
 Idel, George 
 Johnson, George R. 
 Johnson, Isaac 
 Jeffreys, Edward 
 Johnston, William 
 Johnston, Charles 
 Johnson, Jonathan 
 Jacobs & Corroy 
 Johns, Joseph 
 Johns, William 
 Johnson, James 
 Jones & Reynolds 
 
34 
 
 Johnston, Clinton 
 Jones, Joel 
 Johnson, William 
 Jones, J. E. 
 Johnson, Thomas R. 
 Johnson, George 
 Jacobs, Henry 
 Jones, Asbury 
 King, William 
 Keyser, Samuel 
 Kimball, A. 
 Kavely, William 
 King, John 
 Kelley & Farley 
 Kernan, James 
 Kemp, O. 
 Kulp, Abraham B. 
 King, Henry 
 Kruger, Louis 
 Kellett, Robert 
 Keller, Thomas 
 Keyser & Gorgas 
 King, Keyser & Co. 
 King, Charles M. 
 King, Martin 
 Linton, James 
 Ijewellen, William 
 Leibert, P. &, C. 
 Lovett, Thomas 
 Levering, Hugh 
 Lindsay, Joseph 
 Jjong, John 
 Lockart, William 
 Levering, Terrance 
 Luther, Robert 
 Levering, William 
 Linnard & Sonsj 
 Libberman, John* 
 Little, James 
 Lye, Henry 
 Lyons & Hart 
 Lord, G. W. 
 Lohman, Isaac 
 Lesly, R. 
 Leadbeater & Son 
 
 Le Jamtree, A. 
 Lukens, C. 
 Lang, John 
 Landreth & Munris 
 Laws, L. 
 Miller, James 
 Maule, Wm. W. 
 Mallory, H. S. 
 Masters, George 
 Miller, John G. 
 McCauly, Lawrence 
 Megarge, Samuel 
 McCurly, Lawrence 
 Matlock, T. 
 Mather, Edwin M. 
 McDowell, John 
 Marshall, Davis 
 Muzzy, William M. 
 Miller & Brother 
 Meade, Patrick 
 McGlen, Francis 
 McFaden, William 
 Montgomery, John 
 McDonald, William 
 Meany & McDonald 
 Marshall, George 
 Mooney, John 
 Martin, Hugh 
 Mills, Charles 
 McMahon, William 
 McGonley, John 
 McGinley, J. 
 Monachesi, N. 
 Markle, Joseph 
 McGrath, William 
 McMahon, William 
 McKain, J. 
 Morris, Thomas Y. 
 Martin, Jacob 
 McCartney, Thomas 
 Mahenney, Daniel 
 Masliu, M. M. 
 Manderson, A., & Son 
 McMahon, John 
 Mahony, Timothy 
 
35 
 
 Major, James 
 McKenny, Peter 
 Martin, Henry 
 McKnight 
 McDevht, John 
 Mahon, Daniel 
 McPherson, Robert 
 McGrath, Jeremiah 
 .Meeser, Henry 
 Milier, Abraham 
 Mitchell, James 
 McMichael, Samuel 
 Mason, Phillip A. 
 Myers, Claghorn & Co. 
 Metz, George W. 
 Meyer, C. 
 Mclntyre, Robert 
 McCann, George 
 McFetrich, John H. 
 Maxwell, Ed. 
 Miley, John 
 McClain, Thomas 
 Naglee, John & Son 
 Nolen, S. 
 O'Brien, Daniel 
 Orne, J. & B. 
 Potter, George 
 Parry, Edwin 
 Pauling, John 
 Potts, William F. 
 Perry, Robert 
 Pierson, John C. 
 Pollock, J. R. 
 Phillips, George 
 Pullinger, James 
 Pullinger, Henry 
 Patterson, Thomas 
 Pfeiffer, George 
 Pascoe, Aquilla 
 Patton, Robert 
 Paxson, R., & Son 
 Patton, James M. 
 Patton, James, Jr. 
 Parry &. Randolph 
 Poits, L. M. 
 
 Quigly, Alexander 
 Quinn, James 
 Regan, Wm. H. 
 Regar, Asbury 
 Regar, Jacob 
 Reed, William 
 Randolph, G. 
 Reevely, William 
 Randolph, Samuel, & Co. 
 Reeves, Elwood 
 Richards, E. H. 
 Richards Mark 
 Redinger & Minster 
 Rittenhouse, George 
 Robb, Thomas 
 Rex, Wm., Jr. 
 Righter, John 
 Rittenhouse, Jonathan 
 Robb, B. 
 
 Rittenhouse, Joseph 
 Randolph, Garrett 
 Ryan, James 
 Rogers, Peter 
 Reeves, Joel 
 Repshire, Jacob 
 Roberts, Anthony 
 Robertson, Thomas 
 Riddle, Thomas 
 Rice, J. 
 Robinson, E. 
 Remington, J. 
 Riddle, Robert 
 Richardson, Lemuel 
 Rehler, John 
 Rambler, Peter 
 Ripple, S. 
 Rudolph, George 
 Reed, Obed 
 Reed, William 
 Richards, S. 
 Robeson, Henry 
 Reed, J. D. 
 Robinson, William 
 Rogers, William 
 I Rugan, George 
 

 4 
 
 36 
 
 Rankin, Andrew 
 
 Ross, Walton 
 
 Ralfsnyder, Stephen 
 
 Seckler, George 
 
 Steel, Jos. J. 
 
 Sell, Isaac & William 
 
 S medley, Nathan 
 
 Smith, James 
 
 Stackpole, O. 
 
 Stewart, James 
 
 Smith, W T illiam 
 
 Stuart, Martin 
 
 Savery, William & Thomas 
 
 Stetson, William 
 
 Smith, Louis A. 
 
 Schmith, Martin 
 
 Saulsbury, John 
 
 Stevens, Samuel 
 
 Smith, Isaac 
 
 Smith, Michael 
 
 Smith, John 
 
 Street, Robert 
 
 Simons, Wayne & Co. 
 
 Shunk, Isaac 
 
 Snyder, Henry 
 
 Swan, William 
 
 Smedley & Sharpless 
 
 Schrack, C. 
 
 Simons, Nathan 
 
 Semplin, George 
 
 Stackhouse, Robert 
 
 Stuart, James 
 
 Sheppard, William 
 
 Stewart, John 
 
 Snider, George 
 
 Supplee, Davis 
 
 Scott, Thomas 
 
 Springer, Eno* 
 
 Thornton, James 
 
 Thorn, Joel T. 
 
 Truman, Joseph T. 
 
 Thibault, T. 
 
 Taylor, James 
 
 Thomas, Moses & Son 
 
 Thomas, D. D. 
 
 Tarns & Co. 
 Taylor, William 
 Trueman, John 
 Thomas, Francis 
 Tracy, John 
 Thompson, M. 
 Trump & Sons 
 Thorn, Benjamin V. 
 Thorn, '1 nomas E. 
 Thorn, Henry 
 Unruh, George B. 
 Valentine, J. H. 
 Volume, Jeremiah 
 Williams, R. A.& J. J. 
 White, William 
 Wood, William 
 Walton, W. P. 
 Woodside, John H. 
 W 7 eller, W. P. 
 Vvitman, George 
 Ward & Wardell 
 Walters & Soudcr 
 Wainright & Gillingham 
 Welsh, Francis 
 West, F. W. 
 Wickersham & Davis 
 Whetham, J.& J. D. 
 Wolff, Daniel 
 Wright & Hunter 
 Wood, William 
 Wayne, William 
 Williams & Co. 
 Wilson & Roberts 
 Wolbert & Herkness 
 Wagner, William 
 Weeber, Robert 
 Weigner, Jacob 
 Wilson, William 
 Watson, John H. 
 Young & Warner 
 Yarnell, D. D. & Co. 
 Zell, Andrew 
 Zell, Thomas, & Co. 
 Zantzinger, George