Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-17

The French Imperial Apartments az
Windsor Castle.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria has been pleased
to command that the suite Of apartments oc-
cupied by his Imperial Majesty Napoleon III
and the Empress Eugene, during their late
visit to London, should be shown to the pub
lie under the same restrictions and regulations
as the private apartments at the Castle.
The following brief description Of the apart
ments will convey some idea OF the splendor
which pervades the principal palatial residence
of the Queen Of England.
THE EMPRESS EuGENIE,s DRAWING ROOM.
The Kings Drawing or Reubens Room, one
of the most elegant apartments in the Castle,
was converted into adrawing-room for the En-
press of the French. The Reubens room has
been used dor several years past as theatre
during the winter aojourn Of the court, when
her majesty commands the attendance OF the
most eminent metropolitan performers, and
the entertainments are witnessed by the royal
family, and a brilliant circle honored with invi-
tations. The view from this room is most ex-
tensiye. embracing Eaton College, the Thames,
Harrow on the Hill, and the Berkshire range
in distance, aud presents TO the eye one Of the
most lovely landscapes in the kingdom.
Here hills and wales, the woodland and the plain,
Here earth and water seem TO meet again
Not chaos like. together crushed and bruised,
But, as the world, tremendously confused
The beautiful ceiling of this room is formed
into panels the centre embellished with star
and oak wreath. A broad and bold margin,
composed of the rose, shamrock, and thistle,
surrounds the room. The cove displays four
teen circles, entwined with palm, laurel, and
oak leaves enclosing &C. r. the royal arms,
e. hoe
and produces a magnificent effect upon the
paintings and furniture. The chairs and
touches are all covered with crimson silk, and
are profusely gilded. The other portions of
the furniture are en- suite. Then there are an
tique sofas and seats, covered with tapestry,
such as the present age has not yet produced,
with cabinets and articles of rertu judiciously
arranged around the entire ROOM One an
Gent cabinet is particularly worthy OF notice,
as containing some of the choicest and rarest
cups and tea services in the world. The cups
are small, as was the fashion when. they were
manufactured, but they are deliberately jewel
ed. and connoisseurs declare they would com
mand an incredible price in the market. The
groupes of figures painted on some of them
are really astonishing for their mnuteness,
spirit of design, and mastery execution. The
window curtains in this room are probably the
finest specimens of their kind in the whole
suite of apartments The carpet is cut pile
Wilton, being planned and designed for the
room Another great feature in this apart
ment is the massive chandelier suspended in
the centre 1t is constructed for sixty lights,
and when Illuminated with wax candles must
have had brilliant as well as dazzling effect.
There are some remarkably fine chandeliers in
each Of the other rooms, and the CRATES, In
most instances, appear to be new The paint
ings in this room are all by Reubens, and are
as follows
Portrait Of Reubens, by himself. wearing a
Spanish hat. ST. Martin dividing his cloak to
medicants life size;) Holy Family, (life size;)
Philip H., Of Spain, ION horseback; battle of ST.
Quentin in the distance, life size.) Portrait
Of Reuben's second wife, Helena Formann.
Two landscapes; Summer and Winter; the
latter Is generally called "Going to Marl9t."
ArchduIze Albert, Government of the Neither
lands, on horseback; Antwerp in the distance.
Family Of Sir Balthasar Gerber, chevalier.
Portrait, tunknown) Battle Of Nordlingen,
1884; principal figures on horseback in the
reground--Ferdinand, Infant of Spain, and
Archduke Ferdinand of Austria cheering the
troops to victory over the Swedes.
His late Majesty King George ~. lay in
state in this room.
THE EMPREss's BEDROOM.
The room adjoining, called the Kings Coun-
ell Chamber, formed the bedroom of her I'm
perial Majesty. The ceiling Of this apartment
Is enriched with the arms of Charles H., on
circular shield, with garter and motto.
Four small medallions, with the initials "C.
r. the crown, and 1860, encompassed with
oak branches, are placed at the quarterings OF
the shield; broad circular bending OF wreath
ed palm epcircles the whole Richly embel.
hshed tridents, springing from foliage, are
placed in the panels at the end of the ceiling.
In the cove are the royal arms fully emblazon.
ed. and &C. r." surrounded with oak branches.
This ceiling has been, for the first time, en-
tirely gilded TheState bed is most magnh-
cent affair, and may be thus generally de-
scribed: The lofty canopy, surmounted by
yhiteplume, is covered with beautifully wrought
needlework, mounted upon violet satin form
ing border Of festoons, which partially OBJ
scure the elegant quilt. The hangings are
composed of bright green satin, lined with
cream -colored silk. The same contrast OF
colors is preserved throughout the room, and
has charming effect At the foot of the bed
are embossed in gold the initials Of the En-
peror and Empress, al. NE, Louis Napo
leon, Emperor, and "E. L." (Eugenie lmpe-
ratr1ce.l Inc DeIStehu, which nus anyways
formed part Of the state furniture, has been
entirely reglt. The furniture Of the room is
beautiful in the extreme, and in perfect barmo-
ny. The window-curtains are green, with violet
embossed borders en- suite with the bed. The
China toilet table service is ornamented with
acknowledgement groups and wreaths Of
flowers, and forms an exact match for the dei-
cate embroidery on the cream.colored satin
4nt. A second toilet table is covered with
very beautifully stitched muslin, Of Paisley
maa ufacture, trimmed with wide Buckingham
shire thread lace, and pink satin ribbon, over
skirt Of rich pink satin. The carpet is remark
ably handsome, the pattern is the Norman
rose, with trellis Of rose leaves, surrounded
by rich border on white ground. Ebony
wardrobes and cabinets, with other articles Of
.pertu, are placed around the room, and above
them are most valuable paintings Of the old
tmasters.
THE EMPREss's DRESSING. ROOM.
The next room on the same range is much
smaller apartment, and is known as the Kings