The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-03-14
Lord BeacOnsfield's Home.

Lord BeacOnsfield's Home.
Queen Victoria's visit to her prime
minister (Disraeli) has brought out de-
scription of that gentleman's country
seat, which, in every way, is worthy of the
owner and even of his guest. Hughen-
den Manor is one of those large Tudor
buildings which were so happily arranged,
or have been so judiciously altered inside
as to please alike the lover of antiquity
and the lucky mortal whose fate it is to
dwell therein. 1t reminds one strongly
Hardwicke" scattered about the north
country on her various estates. The ma
teral is brick, from which a coat of un-
hallowed whitewash is gradually wear
ing. They wbitewashed everything in
the eighteenth century that was guilty of
looking natural. The house is large and
high, with gabled screens on the roof,
endless chimneys of endless variety, and
small windows, curiously mullioned in
horseshoe form. The middle space be-
tween two projecting wings Oh this side
is covered in with plate glass; charm
ing conservatory, when filled, as now,
with brilliant chrysanthemumsa and stand
ard roses in full flower. Through this
the visitor passes, marking as he goes the
fine deep red of the house wall, which
has here been scraped of its dingy coat
ing. A handsome hall, very modern in
its style, runs through the house. On
ones left is the drawing-room, magnifi-
Gently furnished in blue satin, adorned
with one picture only, but countless
knick- knacks. This picture is portrait
of the days guest presented by her to
Lord Beaconstield. Beyond this is the Ii
brary, room superb yet habitable,
furnished in yellow satin, lined with
books, and heaped with pretty things.
We never heard of the premier as con-
noisseur or collector. He does not seem
to own pictures or works of art, except
ing few which have been presented, or
have reached him by accident, as it were.
This little gallery of pictures was left
by his brother. In one corner of the
library by the fire, is pointed out the
owners favorite seat in this, his favorite
room. There is nothing more to be said
about it; the chair is like all the suite,
distinguished only by worked cushion
in its yellow satin lap. Lord Bcacons-
field works in the room above, small
chamber in the middle of this front. A
view of great extent must be command
ed from its windows. Along this west
ern side of the house runs broad belve-
dere, adorned with statues of marble
and bronze, but more beautifully with
creepers, SO old and so we'll tended that
they form bush three feet in diameter
around each column of the arch. And
in front of the belvedere stretches the
premiers quarterback" high, broad
terrace looking over the Italian garden
spread below. All round are stately
trees, which make the garden seem to be
a glade in some thick forest. In sum-
mer this quarterback must be royalty
beautiful, with the Towering creepers.
behind it, statues cleaning against the
dark yew hedge at either end, and bril-
liant parterres down below, framed in
setting of shadowy trees. But across
the hall, looking upon the drive, is an
apartment more Immediately interesting
on this particular day. Its ceiling of un-
usual height is panelled In oak frames.
The walls are painted of dun color,
and have no ornament upon them, save
a row of large antique medallions on one
side of marble. The floor is polished
oak, with achecquered carpet, of which
the prevailing tone is blue. A dining
room, it is very sober in its luxury; and
in the midst table laid out for her
Msjesty's lunch, with the gold vases
upon it filled with flowers. Flowers,
indeed, are everywhere in this grand old
Journal.