Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-10-20
EATON HALL.

Tue dtuuSiilE tttttFs 'lshts 1Sftefs itout
Europe, ltiurnishes picture of the
regal state in which the vast wealth of
English aristrocracy enables them Co
live, and, when we recollect the power
ty OF tue laborlng classes, il Is an in
stance of,he immense disparity OF for
tune in tina; country.
Eaton Hall is splendid pile Of bull
dings, in the purest Gothic style. Its
sad there is nothing of the kind in the
kingdom which surpasses il. The
length OF the mansion is 45o feet, besides
the other buildings furnished in the
same style, making total OF 700 feet.
It's centre is three stories high, and the
wings two, with Gothic turrets peep
ing above the groves of oak, and pro-
ducing fine effect. The structure is
OF Shropshire stone, OF color APP
preaching to white, somewhat resem-
bling that Oh the Exchange at Liver
pool. Ii was begun in 1903, and has
but just been completed. Twas inior-
nleu that the expense CT the Hall, eA-
elusive of the furniture, was between
four and FIVE hundred thousand pounds,
or about two millions oil dollars. Near
ly as nuon more has been expended in
furnishing this gorgeous palace; aud
yet his iordship's income, after this de-
duction, is said to be not less than six
hundred thousand dollars. Such is the
inequality Of wealth in this country, be-
tween ten thousand of beggers, who ask
an obolus, aud the noblemen, wallow-
ing in luxury. Happy, thrice happy is
our Republic, which yet known not, and
God giant may never know, any OF
| these extremesl
| At about 4 O'clock, we reached the
front DOOR and mounted the white mar
bic steps, entering at the same moment
with party of ladies from Boston, on
q similar errand. Our names were re-
corded in al album, in which the Uni
ted States furnish : quite list for one
dav. On each side OF the door, in the
principal hall, is figurs in ancient mail
from head to foot, armed and masked.
Other statues of the same description
! adorne the entrance But will not al
tempt to describe the Interior, az my
visit was limited to an hour, and apart
ment after apartment burst upon the
eye in such rapid succession, and with
such dazzling spIendor as to render the
whole like a scene of enchantment. A
few particulars only viii be men,
toned.
The floors and tables are of English
oak, highly polished and eatre mely
beautiful. Many Of the doors are OF
mahogany, certainly less bea utiiul, aud
less in keeping with the style OF archi-
lecture, than the other material There
is however, much taste, as well as great
splendor, exhibited in finishing and fur
nishiog the rooms, and if his lordship
has superintendent the whole, his duties
have been both complex and arduous.
1t would require much ingenuity, and
great stretch of the imagination, to
form conception Of half the luxury
here displayed.
The dining ball is ornamented with
full length statues of the first Earl Gros-
yenor, who came over with William the
Conqueror; with Miss Eaton, who
brought large accession to the estates,
and gave name to the Hall, with Miss
Davis, the late Lady Grosyenor; and
full length portraits OF the present Earl
and his lady, besides many other statues
and paintings, among which Is Oliver
Cromwell, in i.is shirt sleeves and flap
ped hat dissolying the Rump Parlia-
ment He is in the act Of pointing to The
insignia of royalty, and exclaiming,
fake away those baubles" The pic
ture does not seem to be exactly in ito
place, surrounded as it is BY so many
badges of the description the Protector
despised. His lordship perhaps inten-
ded it as an indication of his political
principles, being strenuous member
Of the opposition.
We were uskered into the state bed
room and the suit of apartments adj
Joining it. The couch is gorgeous,
and the pillow seemed downy, but who
can tell how often it may have been
planted with thorDi Sleep, suppose,
is equally sweet under less s,lendid
canopy. Uneasy lies the head that
wears a crown" and the expression
may sometimes. perhaps, be extended
to abadge of hobility, though iron all
we can learn in the peighborhocd, the
present lord and lady Grosyenor are
much respected and esteemed for their
private worth, being pious, liberal, and
charitable. Among other things, neat
little chapel was pointed out to us,
where they assemble morning and eve-
ming, TO hear prayers, and kneel with
their servants, before common altar