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(From "The Royal Guests. Their Residence in St. John, Caverhill Hall--The Governor General's Home on Queen Square," Globe [Saint John], 17 October 1901.)
St. John has for years boasted of the architectural beauty of Caverhill Hall, the residence, formerly, of Mr. Simeon Jones and family, but now occupied by Mr. Keltie Jones. When the housing of the Royal Visitors was considered, naturally enough all minds interested thought of the palatial home, corner Mecklenburg and Sydney streets. Mr. Jones did not dissent; indeed, quite on the contrary he gladly placed his house at the disposal of the local government.
The house is easily the finest residence in New Brunswick. If not, indeed, in the Maritime Provinces. Its broad corner windows, pillared balconies, battlement tower, and stone wall, beatifully-kept lawn, and trees, give it the appearance of some nobleman's seat in a land of nobility and titled people.
Inside Caverhill Hall
everything is in keeping with the imposing exterior. The main hall is baronial
in very truth. The floor is of waxed hardwood, covered in the center with a
rich hand-woven Turkish rug. On the wall over the hood of the cheerful-looking
tiled fireplace are medieval shields, battle axes and pikes arranged
artistically and carrying the visitor back into the middle of English history.
Off this hallway are the parlor, music room, library, hallways leading to the
kitchen and servants' apartments, dining room, and staircase leading to the
second floor.
This staircase in itself is a very beautiful feature. It is winding in design, four small hardwood pillars supporting the floor above on either side of the third step, which forms a landing before the main flight is ascended. The stairs are broad and waxed, turning again after the second landing is passed. This staircase is situated in that portion of the house facing Sydney street, nearer Duke street, where the library is the broad corner window, and the music room and parlor face Mecklenburg street.
Upstairs on the second floor the bedrooms are situated. Altogether there are ten of them in the house. The main part of this upper hall is a sort of balcony--builders call it a well--from which the lower hall can be seen. The Duke's bed-chamber is situated off one corner of this hall, with its broad window looking out on Mecklenburg street, next to Mr. W.H. Thorne's home, and the small window facing, as it were, toward Queen Square. Other bedrooms follow in order, around to the Sydney street front, while that of Her Royal Highness faces the western side of Mr. Thorne's house in the rear of Caverhill Hall.
As has already been mentioned, the room in which
the Duchess is to sleep tonight is off the second floor main hall, its windows
looking out on the W.H. Thorne house, which faces Mecklenburg street. It is not
only a bedchamber, but a suite of rooms, including a bathroom and dressing
room. The bedroom is about twenty-five feet square, with a black marble mantle,
register grate and two windows. The colour effect is old rose. A rich carpet,
softly padded, is old rose most distinctly, with a pretty pattern of a greenish
hue. The bedstead is of heavy brass, and bedspread of Irish point lace over
pink silk. Pillow shams are the same. Toilet...such as dressing table covers,
etc.... correspond to the bed coverings. The furniture is of dark oak, a rich
bevelled mirror gracing the dressing table. A lounge of raw silk, daintily
figured, with old rose and green pillows, is placed invitingly near one of the
windows, and two wicker chairs are in convenient position. The only ornaments
about the room are a bronze on ebony table, some bric-a-brac on the mantle
shelf, a few art pictures including one of C.D. Gibson's "American
Girl" creations and a large bouquet. The toilet sets are of silver and cut
glass. Gulpure d'art curtains add to the richness of the room, the walls of
which are tinted to correspond with the furnishings, and vice versa.
His Royal Highness will sleep in what is known for
the time being as No. 3. It looks out towards Mecklenburg street and the colour
scheme is worked out in yellow. The curtains at the broad window and smaller
windows are of rich Irish point lace, and bureau covers, etc., of Battenburg.
The dressing case mirror is square, and the furniture oak and rosewood.
Bedspread and shams are of Irish point lace over yellow silk, and the satin
puff is of corresponding shades. The bedstead is brass, and sofa covering raw
silk, with silk upholsterings to match. A yellow silk drape worked in gold
covers a small shelf, and a walnut chiffonier stands to one side of the royal
bed. The small window facing toward Queen Square has a cozy window seat. Oil
paintings, art pictures, etc., adorn the walls.
No. 4 bedroom, next to the Duke's and facing Mecklenburg street, is arranged in a very pretty green colour, with Irish point curtains, brass bed, satin-finish Marseilles quilt, cut-work shams, oaken chiffonier, dressing table, stands, pictures, etc.
No. 2 bedroom--the Duke's and Duchess'--is gotten up so as to give an electric blue effect.
No. 5 looks out toward the Bay--the corner window. It is like the blue room, being fitted, painted, papered, and tinted in delightfully pale azure. The furniture is of bird's-eye maple. Irish point curtains, and bed quilt, shams, etc., the same as in No. 2 and 3 rooms.
No. 6 room faces Sydney street. The suite is of cherry, and the colour idea red. Art pictures, etc.
On the third floor there are four bedrooms, fitted with oaken furniture, point lace bed-covers, etc., lined with red and green; Madras curtains, brass beds, new portiers, rugs, etc.
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