The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-09-09
THE HOME ! OF THE
CAVENDISHES.

OAVENUlNahN.
At the time of the Norman survey,
the manor IF Chatsworth was the pro-
perty Of the Grown; under the custody
Of one William de Peverel. For some
generations subsequently, it was in the
possession Of a family named Leche, Or
Leech, ono Of whose most illust,ious
members was Sir Philip Lseeh, known
in history ss treasurer Eor the wars Of
France. Governor Of Rouen, sMoneeaux,
and Newcastle. Aboat 1900, Chats
worth was purchased byn certain direct
lineai descendant Of Robert de Gsrnon,
Who came over to England with the
first William-Sir William Cavendish.
The gallant baronet was sufficiently for
tunate to win the heart and hand Of
the celebrated beauty, the great heiress
of Hardwick, a step which made him
possessor Of a very large estate 10 the
county. It was, I, suppose, on. the
strength Of this that he commenced
the building of Chatsworth. But. be-
fore one wing was completed he died.
Lady William Caveudish, his widow,
married the Earl Of Shrewsbury, and
as the noblcst monument which, she
could erect to her husband, she finished
one quadrangle with its many turrets.
During this time Chatsworth acquired
many rich historical associations. - For
fourteen years it was. almost the cole
home Of Mary Queen Of Scots. 1t vas
too, in the month of October, 1870,
that there alighted at the gates Of
Chatsworth House Sir William Cecil
(Lord Burleigh) and Sir Walter Mild
may. They were the bearers Of certain
messages from her gracious Majesty
Queen Elizabeth j.; and for twenty days
these ministers stayed at Chatsworth,
endeavoring to bring the negotiations
between the two queens to a satisfacto-
~ conclusion. There is preserved to
This day amid the archives Of the Caven-
dishes, in the great library At Chats
worth, a letter, written by Queen Eliza
beth "with her Own hand" thanklng:the
Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury for
the hospitable entertainment of her
favorite minister, the Earl Of Leicester.
Then came the Civil Wars, and more
than once in these, Chatsworth occupies
a prominent place. Moro than once
was it held as a fortress, and more than
once did the troops stationed there do
good service for their king. The Earl
Of Newcastle rescued it from the hands
Of the Roundheads who had temporari-
ly occupied it; and, successfully: to
him, Colonel Eyre and General Sha]-
cross held the great hall. ..:..-.. .
The first Earl of Devonshire was
William Cavendisb, second son Of the
baronet Of that name, whose elevation
to the peerage occurred in 1918. Ever
since the days Of these Caveuiishes,
who were renowned, some of them fol
their nautical exploits, others for thei'
consummate knowledge OF law, each
successive generation Of the family ha,
boasted some illustrious members
The second Earl Of Devonshirs vas, il
his early days, the pupil Of no .less 4
tutor than Thomas! Hobbies, sths .utho
Of. very wicked book with avery lou(
name," which said book was mono othe
than the "Leviathan." For tho satisfac
tion Of those who may be fearful III +
the religious or political tendency 0
one brought up under such oiroum
stances, let it bo stated that the secoa'
l Earl of Deyonshire was not onlv
most accomplished nobleman but YER
staunch supporter Of the correctes
forms Of church and state. And q
much might be said for his. son, VIII
succeeded him. In 1894 the fourt
earl was created first duke. His grac
occupies very striking place in polit
cal history. It was f. time Of troub]
and unrest. Plots for: the lestoratio
Of popery and despot,c government ,
home we're abroad. Tho 6rst Duke. !,
Devonshire, while yet earl, stands fort
% sealoua supporter Of civil and =
lisious liberty, and is one Of the mo
influential Of those who signed the il
'it..ion 70 William, Prince cf Orapg
1t u also the period Of the ,drst duke
possession which makes the seoor
great atage in the architectural histo1
Of Chatsxorth. The work, which h,
been commenced in 1900 BY sir. w
liam Cavendisb, and continued b.
daughter, 50, brought = prince
perfection. ne not merely conplet'
Tho south wing, but, 70 quote the wor
: Of ap old chronicler, ''seeing public ,
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