Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-11-08
THE ROTHsCHILD CHATEAU.
A Dazzling Collection Of the Splendid and
the Beautiful.
Fraser's Magazine.

child admits any one to his Fairyand
who takes the trouble to write for per-
mission; and, however much we may
have been thinking Of Haroun al Ras-
child, King Solomon, and the Thousand
and One Nights beforehand, we shall
not be disappointed The very name
Of Rothschild fills as with awe and be-
wildcrmcnt. We prepare ourselves to
be dazzled with gold and gems, to tread
on carpets gorgeous rs peacock's tails,
softer than eiderdown; we pass through
jasper and porphyry columns into regal
halls where the acme of splendor can 90
no farther, where the walls are hung
with tapestry and crimson satin, where
every chair looks like - throne, and
where on all sides the mirrors reflect
the treasures collected from I'LL parts
Of the world. And we are not disap-
pointed. Quitting the railway ut the
cheerful, wealthy little town of Langny,
we drive past handsome country houses
and well kept flower gardens, and then
gradually ascend road winding amid
hill and valley 40 to the chateau, II
graceful structure in white marble, or
50 il seems, proudly commanding the
wide landscape. The Hover gardens
are blaze Of colors, and the orange
trees gives IL delicious fragrance rs we
ascend the terrace; ascend, indeed, be-
ing hardly the word applicable to steps
sloping 50 easily upward, and 80 nicely
adjusted to the human foot that climb
ing Mount Blanc under tho same cir
Gumstanccs could be accomplished
without fatigue. II is impossible TO give
any idea OF the different kinds Of mag
nlllcencc that greet us on every side.
Now - little Vatican world in tapestries,
having for background sky blue satin
and roses; now II dining hall somber,
gorgeous, and majestic rs that Of II
Spanish palace; now we arc transported
find ourselves amid unspcakablc treas
ures of Italian md other marbles. To
come down to practical details, it might
be suggested to the generous owner of
this noble treasnrc-hoaso of nrt that
the brolost possible catalogue Of his
choicest treasures would, unspeakably
obligo his visitors. There il hardly
piece Of furniture that IS not interesting,
alike from historic and artistic point
Of view, while some ARE chiefs dmuvre
both in design and execution, and daz-
zllngly rich III material. Among these
may be mentioned IL pair Of chimney
ornaments thickly hung with pendants
Of precious stones; u prno-whCh be-
longed TO Marie Antoinetto-t case
Of which is formed of tortoise shell richly
decorated with gold; u cabinet set with
emcralds, sapphres, and other jewels; II
another composed Of various precious
stones; chairs and couchcs covered with |
exquisite tapestry ofa the Louis Qninze |
period; some rare specimens Of old
eloisonne work, also of Florentine
mosaics-thcse forming u small part
of this magnificent museum. The |
striking feature is the great quantity
and variety Of rich marbles IN every I
port. One OF the Staircascs is entirely |
formed Of different kinds Of rare marble
the effect being extraordinarily impos-
ing. Elsewhere II room is divided by /
Corinthian columns Of Jasper and por-
phyry, and ON every side is displayed /
wealth and splendor in this respect
quite unique. Without doubt, nothing
lends such magnilicenee to interiors
rs marbles, but they require the spaci
business and princeliness Of such u
chateau M this TO be displayed TO adj
vantage. Next III importance, Ms "
matter of Nero decoration, must be
cited the tapestries, Of which there is n
rare and valuable collection, chiefly in
tho hall, so called, and whore they are
arranged about tho running gallery
surrounding the pictures. What this
hall must be worth would perhaps
sound fabulous on paper; il is here
that some of the most precious cabinets
arc found; treasures of ivory, ebony,
gems, gold, and silver; and the pictures
alone represent II princess dowry. EX
amples 81 somo OF thcgrcat masters are
elasquca, Rembrandt, Rubens,
Claude Lorraine, Bordonc, Reynolds;
lastly, among modorns, lngrcs and
Hippolyto Flandrin Much might bo
said about the pictures If space per-
mitted; but ;hoy alone are worth max
my the journey from Paris TO see. But
the creme de liz creme Of Baron Roth
schild's treasures is not to be found in
this sumptuous hall. III spite Of tap
estrics, pictures, marbles, and rare fur
niture nor i'll the state saloon but in
emo Of tho dining rooms, II mawclously
rich and gorgeous apartment, where
the wealth Of gold splendid colors is
toned down, and the eye is rather re-
frcshed than da2zled by the whole. On
tho wallis, reaching from base to ceiling,
are hung n series of six paintings on
leather, known rs the cunS de Cmdore,
or leather paintings from Cordoya.
They are historical and allegorcal sub
locts, and arc painted III rich colors,
with n great abundance Of gold on II
black background, the general effect /