East Parlor Guests who called on Mr. Douglass at Cedar Hill were admitted by a butler at the front door. They placed their calling cards on silver tray on table at the door. Douglass entertained guests in the East Parlor. Here he engaged them in conversations on a variety of topics including literature or political issues of the day. It was not uncommon for Douglass to play checkers with guests he found interesting. Sometimes music was played on the music box. During the Victorian Era, mythology was widely read and it was common for Victorians to display art depicting mythological characters. The East Parlor had several statues from Roman mythology. A statue of the Roman god Mercury, who served as messenger of the gods and was considered to be the god of commerce, thievery, eloquence and science, is displayed near the fireplace. On the fireplace mantel are two female busts: Diana the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, protector of women and slaves and Clytie, a water nymph.