Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-02-15
The Home OF a Rothschild

"
A correspondent of the London Telegraph thus
describes Ferrieres, the home of Baron James de
Rothschild:
"When the Compiegne festivities are over those
of Ferrieres commence Baron James de Roths-
child selects the month of December his special
for receiving his guests, because it is the
season wherein he best enjoy his favorite
pastime of hunting, shooting, &c. AS at Compieg-
ne, the Barons guests invited in four series;
and if it were possible to exceed the magnifcence
of imperial Compiegne the Baron would certainly
outrival Napoleon I'LL The estate of La Ferriere
was purchased thirty years ago by Rothschild from
the heirs of Fouche, Duke of Otantro, for the sum
of 2, 600, 0OOf It has since been considerably in
creased and it consists of 81 900 English
acres. Like the great Frederick, who vainly tried
to purchase the mill at Sans Souci which came
twixt the wind and his nobility, the baron has
vainly endeavored to buy farm of fifteen
which happens to be in the centre of his vast do
main. The gold of the Rothschilds will not tempt
the Obdurate pdyS0n to part with his beloved heri
tage Curious to say, the adjoining estates belong
to the mighty Pereires, the only name in France
which in point of financial power rival that of
Rothschild.
1.-The Emperor's visit in 1865 to La Ferriere will
be remembered. Every hour which his Majesty
breathed in this superb mansion cost the host
million. Till that time artist had been allowed
to sketch the chateau and it being a hideous
amalgamation of incorrect style, such would
give Mr.. Ruskin shiver even to contemplate in
photograph, think the baron evinced his good
sense in not permitting his house to be seen in
prints. Imagine a huge building, partly old
English and partly Chinese in its decoration, sur
rounded by exquisite grounds, in the designs of
which Paxton had no inconsiderabIe part, inn
mense tanks well stocked with fish, and an in
describable air of artificial ornament pervading
the whole, which conveys to one the idea that one
of the sumptuous palaces in the Champs Elysees
has been transported to the flat plains of La Brie
"The interior arrangements, however, are fault
less-a double staircase leads to the hall, which
is eighty-fve feet in height and lit from the roof
by dome of glass, Illuminated at night by $50
gas-burners. The gallery separates this vast hall
from the dwelling-room, each of which would
supply in itself enough treasures for very
spectacle exhibition. Byzantine armchairs, pic
lures by Velasqez, Joseph Vernet, Guido, Van
dyke, and know not how many more great mas
ters almost fatigue the spectator by their repeated
claims for admiration. The most comfortable
chair in the salon de fanaiAe once the throne
of Chinese Emperor, presented by that Celestial
to Rothschild. A sofa in this said room is COW
cred by Oriental embroidery bearing the Imperial
Dragon. The barons private study is furnished
with Gobelin tapestry worked from designs by
Boucher. The walls of the smoking room are en-
trely covered with Russia leather exactly the tint
of cigar, and this costly material Eugene
Laury has painted exquisite frescoes. The family
dining room is decorated by sporting subjects a.
ecuted by Philippe Rousseau It opens on srall
and very plain synagogue It was in the large din
ing room that the Emperor and his suite par
took of the celebrated luncheon in 1862, srved
on Bernard de Palsy china and plate chissled by
Goattieres."