407. Stairs, Allen House 427 408. Balusters and Newel, Oak Hill 428 409. Stairs, Sargent-Murray-Gilman House 429 410. Mantel, Sargent-Murray-Gilman House 430 411. Mantel, Kimball House 431 412. Mantel, Lindall-Barnard-Andrews House 432 413. Doorway, Larkin-Richter House 433 414. Doorway, “Octagon” 434 415. Mantel, “Octagon” 435 416. Mantel, Schuyler House 436 417. Mantel and Doorways, Manor Hall 438 418. Mantel and Doorways, Manor Hall 439 419. Mantel, Manor Hall 440 420. Doorway, Independence Hall 441 421. Stairs, Graeme Park 442 422. Mantel and Doorways, Graeme Park 443 423. Doorway, Chase House 445 424. Entrance and Stairs, Cliveden 446 425. Mantel, Cliveden 447 426. Fretwork Balustrade, Garrett House 448 427. Stairs, Valentine Museum 449 428. Mantel, Myers House 450 FURNITURE OF THE OLDEN TIME Furniture of the Olden Time INTRODUCTION THE furniture of the American colonies was at first of English manufacture, but before long cabinet-makers and joiners plied their trade in New England, and much of the furniture now found there was made by the colonists. In New Amsterdam, naturally, a different style prevailed, and the furniture was Dutch. As time went on and the first hardships were surmounted, money became more plentiful, until by the last half of the seventeenth century much fine furniture was imported from England and Holland, and from that time fashions in America were but a few months behind those in England. In the earliest colonial times the houses were but sparsely furnished, although Dr. Holmes writes of leaving— “The Dutchman’s shore, With those that in the _Mayflower_ came, a hundred souls or more, Along with all the furniture to fill their new abodes, To judge by what is still on hand, at least a hundred loads.” If one were to accept as authentic all the legends told of various pieces,—chairs, tables, desks, spinets, and even pianos,—Dr. Holmes’s estimate would be too moderate.