The mansion, a colonial type, stands just back of the road. It was a pretentious house in the olden days, as revealed by the broad stairs and hand-carved balusters. The walls are lined with family portraits, representing three generations of this distinguished family. The great parlor at the left shows heavy cornices, massive hearthstones, and many historical relics. The wall-paper shows landscapes, tournaments, and festivals. In this house Franklin Pierce lived until he was married in 1834 to Jane Means, daughter of Rev. Dr. Appleton. Following this event, he purchased the farmhouse across the way, which remains in the family and which contains a wonderful collection of fine paintings, autograph letters, and historical relics. Among the latter is a picture of William H. Marcy, Secretary of State under President Pierce, who ordered the picture painted at a cost of one thousand dollars. Near by is one of the best paintings of Hawthorne extant, which was also painted at the same cost by order of the president. In addition to these paintings are many others of distinguished men, including one of Pierce's father and many of himself. His wife's picture is not among the collection, but is owned by Mrs. Charles M. Stark of Dunbarton, New Hampshire, who descended from the same ancestry. Many mementoes connected with the life of Franklin Pierce are still treasured in the old house and include several swords, one of which was given by the ladies of Hillsboro when Pierce entered service in the Mexican War. This, together with a letter that accompanied it, is shown to the visitor, as well as a second sword given him by the State of New Hampshire at the close of the war. There can also be seen many interesting and historical canes. But the most important collection in the house is that of autograph letters representing correspondence with his old friend Hawthorne, whose friendship was terminated only by death; of Presidents Jackson and Polk, and many others of equal note. Perhaps the most pathetic of this collection of letters, however, is a little one written in a childish hand by his son Benjamin, who was killed in a railroad accident near Andover. This letter is as follows: "ANDOVER, MASS., "June 11, 1852. "DEAR MOTHER: