ement windows set in stone frames. It is
of massive rubble-stone masonry, coated with yellowish-gray rough-cast
and having heavy quoined corners of red brick, also a horizontal belt of
the same material at the second-floor level, the keyed lintels of the
large ranging windows, however, being of faced stone.

Above a heavy cornice with prominent modillions springs the hipped roof,
pierced on both sides by two handsome dormers and surmounted by a long,
beautifully balustraded belvedere. Two great brick chimney stacks, one
at each end of the building, with four arched openings near the top,
lend an aspect of added dignity and solidity. The principal feature of
the facade on both the east and west or river front is the slightly
projecting central portion with its quoined corners, surmounting
corniced pediment springing from the eaves, ornate Palladian windows in
the second story and superb pedimental doorway in harmony with the
pedimental motive above. Although the detail is heavy, and free use has
been made of the orders, the work is American Georgian at its best and
altogether admirable. The doorways of the two sides are similar but not
the same, and a comparison, as found in another chapter, is most
interesting.

Within, a broad hall extends entirely through the house from one front
to the other, as likewise does a spacious drawing-room on the north side
with an elaborate chimney piece in the middle of the outside wall. The
dining room occupies the west front, and back of it, in an L extension
from the hall, a handsome staircase with gracefully turned balustrade
leads to the bedrooms on the second floor. Throughout the interior the
wood finish is worthy of the exterior trim. Beautifully tooled cornices,
graceful pilasters, nicely molded door and window casings, heavy
pedimental doorheads,--all are of excellent design and more carefully
wrought than in average Colonial work. Finest of all, perhaps, is a
chamber on the second floor overlooking the river that must, according
to the very nature of things, have been the boudoir of the mistress of
Mount Pleasant. The architectural treatment of the fireplace end of this
room, with exquisite carving above the overmantel panel and above the
closet doors at each side, is greatly admired by all who see it.

The erection of Mount Pleasant was begun late in 1761 by John
Macpherson, a sea captain of Clunie, Scotland, who amassed a fortune
and lost an arm in the adventurous practice