File:American homes and gardens (1908) (18156068855).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar51908newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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OWNS that spring from the earth as the fabled Minerva from the head of Jove, full grown and vigorous, and exhibiting all the latest inventions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, are more frequently to be met with in this country than towns that are surrounded with an atmosphere of the past. Although many cities and towns on the Atlantic seaboard still contain old landmarks of great interest, the visitor, as a rule, has to search—sometimes in out-of-the-way streets—for Colonial buildings; and these are not infre- quently in such a dilapidated condition that it is very difficult to picture the life of elegance that the old walls and halls have witnessed. There is no town more thoroughly helpful and delightful to the student of Colonial history and architecture than Annapolis; not only because it contains so many fine speci- mens of eighteenth century work, but because it is both prosperous and unspoiled. The waves of modern life have scarcely touched it, and its citizens would consider the re- moval of even a paving-stone a frightful desecration. They are proud of their quiet little city, and. appreciate its nameless charm. Perhaps this may be attributed to the substantial old houses, low and wide, with white facings and doors, and columned porticos wreathed and framed with creepers, which, with the gardens of blooming flowers and shrubs and thick green hedges, in which they stand, speak of another period—one in which abundant leisure and abundant means naturally resulted in abundant hospitality. The very names of the streets, too—Calvert Street, King George Street,
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I—Dining-room, Chase House Prince George Street and the Duke of Gloucester Street— carry one back into the age of stage coaches, sedan chairs, powdered wigs, hoops and brocade petticoats and minuets. Annapolis, named in honor of Ann Arundel, Lady Balti- more, in 1695, so beautifully situated on the glittering waters of the Chesapeake Bay, or, to speak more definitely, on its arm, the Severn River, ranked in Colonial days with New York, Boston, Charleston, Philadelphia and Williamsburg. The splendid harbor, the fertile country and the quality of the settlers and planters in the vicinity, had much to do with making the town one of importance; and apart from its commercial and social attractions, the climate was, as it still is, delightful and health-giving. In 1781, the Abbe Rodin, who traveled extensively in the northern and southern colonies, wrote: "There appears to be more wealth and luxury in Annapo- lis than any other city which I have visited in this country. The extravagance of the women here surpasses that of our own provinces; a French hairdresser is a man of great impor- tance ; one lady here pays to her coiffeur a salary of a thou- sand crowns. This little city, which is at the mouth of the Severn River, contains several handsome edifices. The State House is the finest in the country; its front is orna- mented with columns and the building surmounted by a dome. There is also a theater here. Annapolis is a place of considerable shipping. The climate is the most delightful in the world." In 1795-97 another French traveler noted that "The English fashions are as faithfully copied as the sending of merchandise from England, and the tradition of tailors and mantua-makers will admit of. The distri- bution of the apartments in their houses is like that of England, the furniture is English, the carriages are English, or in the English taste; and it is no small merit among the fashion- able world to have a coach newly arrived from London and of the newest fashion." Eddis, who held office un- der the Crown in the mid- dle of the eighteenth cen- tury, wrote of Annapolis: "Several of the most opu- lent families have here established their residence: and hospitality is the char- acteristic of the inhabitants. Party prejudices have little influence on social inter- course. . . . The quick importation of fashions from the mother country is really astonishing. I am almost inclined to believe that a new fashion is adopted earlier by the polished and affluent Ameri- can than by many opulent

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