Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

198 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH.
direction of a distinguished Newburyport architect, rendering the mansion, in the extent of its accommodations,
its spaciousness, its elegant furnishing, its rich ornaments,
a residence of which any baron might be proud. The
improvements, however, do not here terminate. In the
several fires, the large old barn on the east of the house
escaped conflagration. It was built full a century ago, as
its oak posts testify. Its place has recently been supplied
by another of far greater extent, and finished in the best
style. It is several rods south of the mansion. Another
group of buildings is also rising up several rods west of
the barn-in one, stalls with iron hay racks for a dozen
horses may be seen-another is the carriage house-and
the third, resembling the first story of an octagon pagoda,
is a well ventilated corn house. The air circulates through
a half inch opening under every clapboard, which is not
apparent without examination. The grapery is near the
house. For the use of the mansion and the out buildings,
water is being brought from a pond nearly half a mile
distant, and, by the aid of hydraulic rams raised to the
upper story of the buildings. It is a matter of doubt
whether the beauty of the scenery from the house, or the
richness of the treat to those who travel by, is most gratifying.
Passing through the curved avenue from the door to the
iron gate on the west, and crossing the road, we come to
another iron gate which opens to a wide tesselated path,
made of the largest sea beach stones, of variegated colors,
making a good mosaic. The path winds up a slight eminence, where on the declivity beyond is the family tomb,
"Erected by Clement March in 1759, and repaired by
Charles and Clement March in 1859." In it rest the remains
of the family for a century. The care which is taken of
these homes of the departed is another link in the chain
which holds the affection to the names of our ancestors.