The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-17
CHATSWORTH.
A Description of the Princely Res
idence of the Cayendishes.
Some Anecdotes of the Late Duke.

ChatsWoTth the ancient residence Of the
Cavendish family, and the princely seat OF
the Duke Of DeVonshire, whose elegant taste
has added 50 much to the already renowned
beauties Of the spot, is situated In the Vfcfn-
ity of the Peak hills Of Derbyshire. The
usual entrance to the park, by which the
house Ia approached, is near the village OF
Edens0r, but the unassufning appearance OF
the gate and the porter's lodge would not
lead any to imagine the magnifieenee which
reigns within.
The road, however, at some distance from
the entrance gains an elevation, from which
the palace may be seen surrounded by beauti-
full trees and undutatiHg ground, forming q
prospect where nature and art seem to have
Wed with each other to produce the most
happy effect. The woodland scenery OF the
park Is graced by the refreshing waters OF the
river Derwent, which passes through it. and
over which an elegant stone bridge is thrown,
built by Payne from design by Michael An
gelo. Behind the house, which forms the
middle distance Id the landscape, rises gen
tly sloping hill Swallowed by broad masses
OF thick foliage, and beyond are seen the ro-
mantle hills which skirt the Peak Of Derby
shire, forming gorgeous background to the
picture, lending enchantment to the view"
Chatwork was among the domains origi-
nally given by William the Coneueror to one
of the attendants named William Peverit, but
1t afterward passed into the noble family OF
the Cavendishes and has ever been the favor
lite residence OF the Earis and Dukes Of
Devonshire. The plan Of the present build
ing was the production Of William Talman,
rubo frFy arr. H-: in fbo
reign of William the Third. The greater por-
ton was built under his superintendenee, but
the whole extent Of the original design has
only been carried out by the late Duke, called
the magnificent" who not only completed
the intentions of the architect, but added con-
eiderabIy to the original plans, and improved
the appearance Of the whole.
Chatsworth is composed Of four nearly equal
sides, forming within quadranguiar court.
The sides Of the court have open balconies Or
terraces, guarded by stone balustrades, which
are divided with psdestals, On which ale
placed busts carved In stone, representing
some Of the most distinguished men Of the
reign of Queen Anne.
The middle OF the court ls occupied by q
marble statue Of Arion seated on the back OF
dolphin, around which the clear water Of o
fountain is playing, falling into q capacious
basin Of Derbyshire marble below. The
legend attached to Arion is that he was q
renowned musician and poet of Lesbos, who,
returning from Italy, met with that tabled adj
venture without which his name and excel
lence Id music would probably have been little
known to myth and posterity. 1t is related
that the sailors, In order to possess them
Ill r. n rfp all il
death, and with poiiteness informed him OF
his approaching fate. Not at all dismayed by
the Intelligence, he merely requested to be
allowed to sing his own eie2y to the sounds
Of his Tyre previous TO the sentence being car
ried into effect This moderate request was
gracefully aceeded to- He struck q few chords,
then broke into q strain of melody SO enchant-
ing as to entrance the sailors and captivate
the fishes. Taking advantage OF this state OF
things, he jumped into the sea, Tyre in hand,
and being caught on the back Of an enraped
dolphin, was safely borne to his own country,
where he arrived with long train OF pi3ce-
vorons animals at his heels. There are also
several other scuiptured objects Of merit be-
side the ornamental carvings On the exterior,
the best Of which are those on the principal
front Of the house, adding the other appropri-
ate Communications which present such all
imposing appearance. The rooms Of this
palace are generally spacious and lofty, some
Of them hung with tapestry and all elegantly
furnished; the starca5es are adorned with
tricfoUs school, and not at all admired in the
present day. The ceilings are almost entirely
composed Of cedar wood, emitting pleasing
fragrance The chapel at Chatsworth boasts
the master piece OF Verrto, the glitter OF
whose art supersedes the sentiment OF nature.
When paintings are introduced into sacred
places, they should reflect the dignity and
purity Of the religion, the temple OF which
they are to grace.
On painted ceilings you devoutI7 stare
arT al n and q
gnerrao
At Chataworth are to be found some Of the
finest specimens Of carving, executed by Grin
lin Gibbons and Samuel Watson, two artists
nearly equal In talent IL not In fame.
Nothing can be imaged more beautiful than
the carvings which decorate the walls of this
palace. There is particularly q net contain
ing dead game by Gibbons which exhibits the
perfection of art, while fruit and flowers, |
carved with delicacy which rivals the pro-
auctions Of nature herself, are flung around
III the most graceful manner; here hanging
Ia elegant festoons from the ceiling, there
dropping down the walls and sides Of the
doors as though Pomona and Flora had
mingled their treasures and made ChatsWorth |
their storehouse. The pictures are not very
numerous, but there is long gallery near the
entrance hall lined with several hundreds Of
fine drawings and sketches by the old mas
ters, and several fine statues. Among them
are the celebrated figure OF the mother Of
Napoleon by Canova, and the exquisite bust
OF PetTareh's Laura, by the same sculptor, |
both Of which are In the library. This mag
mficent room is worthy the valuable collee- I
ton Of books which it contains; and. beside |
the pictures and statues with which it Is |
adorned, 1t contains two porphyry vases re- |
ceived from Russia, which on account OF their
size and beauty attract the attention Of every
visitor.
The late Duke Of Devonshfre, a gentleman
Of great taste, a patron Of the arts, generous
and munificent, justly earned the appellation |
Of THE Magnificent" He entertained right
regaly and samptuously, to show the state
Of lordly profusion of which he was the grace |
full and accomplished centre. An anecdote
might be mentioned here: At tie season OF
the year when men Of wealth and leisure en- /
terrain. inviting numbers OF the gentry to I
their country seat to fish and hunt, on one &C. |
ca5ion the Duke happened to have his palace /
LIZ, TILL Of ,i.tnr2 ir.