The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-06-06
Dcyoushire House.

Lord Harrington belongs to the great
family or the Dukes OF Deyonsliirr aud 1t was
to Devonshlre House, Plccadilly, that the Queen 5
messenger was sent To bid him como to Windsor.
Californians who have visited London must surely
have noticed this gloomy Imposing mansion standing
behind great stone wall, whose wide open gates
show the roony, paved courtyard and the
looking house beyond Its exterior IL not without
strong suggestion of gloomy grandeur, principally
derived from the great size Of the house and Its air Of
tranquil secuson amid the roaring rush of Pic,,dilly
but not until one crosses the threshold and visits tho
house, as have, can any idea Of the priceless mag
nificehce OF the place he conceived. The central en-
trance hall Is gloomy low, and dark hut the superb
staircase ut the rear II marvellous construction In
the finest Carrara marble, with wOndcrous l,aI,is-
trade, which rivals the sendor Of the Italian palaces,
10 more than sufficient to redeem the hall ITSELF
Once the staircase you see through The wide win
dows one OF the most unsiispected beauties Of the
honsc-the lovely park attached To II In the rear,
Immense velvet sward dotted with magnificent trees,
first floor nothing short Of paIatal, gorgeous with
rich hangiDgs. respondent with masterpieces by
I'afae'le, Domenlchino, and velasquez, while over
every doorway and window and introduced pTofusely
In all the decorations, both mn'aI and Of the furni-
t,'re Is seen the armoial device Of the house Of de-
vOnshire-ihe snake with tail and head nerIacel
was present few months ago at Of the rare fes-
tiyties given at Deyonslire-an afternoon concert.
There Is no Duchess now and the Duke Is an old
man. but the 0nors o the day done by ladies Of
the family, principally the Dukes daughter. Some
OF your .hgdntes would indeed have been astoisled
tune on the OCCASION il was simply mo, i,s more
nor less than navybue SERGE witt, linen collars and
cuffs. At her waist hung an enormous cIatciaine in
massive CHASED silver, hearing The Of ar-
cles necessary To housekceper, namely, scissors
Penknife, keys, pincushion, tweczers, thmbecase
needlecase etc. She Is handsome, very fair blonde
OF some thiIty-hye or 81, with u complexion like
strawberries and cream and u ne symmetrical figure.
The historical halls through which she moved SO de
inurely have echoed to the tread Of Duchess Of
Deyonshire whose fame VIII live rs long the annals
Of iine arts survive eorgiaa, the beautiful Duchess
Of Devonshire Whose portrait by Gainsorough and lis
mysterious disappearance sill vital topic In are
circles held court In these splendid rooms. Her
qnisite beauty Is tradition which lives In history aud
It Is that the whole world of civilization of to-day
Is familiar with; for where Is the town which has not
seen IN the windows of It's picture aud stationery stores
acopy OF the sweet creature In the powdered hair big
trimmed hat and tight-sleeye upheld dress, while
hchu 81 muslin Is crossed over the hot0m and In Ollu
OF the beautiful hands is rose? In the bali room of
De,onsl,re House took place the first amateur per-
Torrance Of Lord Lyitun's comedy, "NO Had ~
We seem, - for tile benefit al the uulof Literature
Dickens and lulwcr both working Ia insure the sue
cess The richest known collection of old Emelis,
play-books ami play-hills Is Mt Dcyunshio House,
having been bought from the executors Of John
Phip kembo for 30, 600. Tile family Jewels, known
as The Devonshire Gems are amazingly line,
even IN these modern daysuf wonders In that lne.-
Sda Francisco CdH, LoHdOH Lttitr.