Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-07-15

Lord Harrington belongs to the great
family OF the Dukes Of Devonshire, and
IL was TO Devonshire House, Piccadilly,
that the Queens messenger was sent to
bid him come to Windsor. CalifornIans
who have visited London must surely
have noticed this sI~omy. imposing man
sion standing behind great stone wall,
whose wide open gates show the roomyr
paved courtyard and the mausoleum-
looking house beyond. It's exterior is
not without a strong suggestion ofgloomy
grandeur, principally derived from the
great size Of the house and its air oil
tranquil seclasion amid the roaring rush
OF Piccadilly; but not until one crosses
the threshold and visits the house, as
have, can any idea of the priceless
magniGcence OF the place be conceived,
The central entrance hall is gloomy
low and dark, but the superb staircase
at The rear, a marvellous construction,
in the finest Carrara marble, with a
wondTous balustrade, which rivals The
splender Of the Italian palaces. Is more
than sufficient to redeem the hall itself.
Once on the staircase you see through
the wide windows one of the most un-
suspected beauties Of the house-the
lovely park attached to II IN the rear. an
i1mense velvet sward dotted with mag
niGcent trees, some ofthem Of great an
tiquity.
The rooms on the frst door are moth
ing short OF palatial. gorgeous with rich
hangings, resplendent with masterpieces
by Rafaelle, Domenichino and Velas-
quez, while over every doorway and
window and introduced profusely IN
eli the decorations, both mural and of
the furniture, is seen the armorial de-
vice of the houses cf Deyonshire--the
snake with tail and head interlaced.
was present few months ago at one oil
the rare festivities given at Devonshire
House-an afternoon concert. There
is no duchess now aud the duke is an
old man, but The honors OF the day were
done by ladies OF The Iamily, principally
che dukes daughter.
Some ofyour eiegantes would indeed
have been astonished TO see the exceed
ing ''qmetude" OF this lady's costume
on the occasion. II was SIMPLY nothing
more nor less than navy blue serge,
with linen collar and cuffs. At her
waist hung IN enormous chatelaiEe in
MASSIVE chased silver. bearing the score
or 50 of articles necessary TO house
keeper. namely, scissors, penkntfe. keys.
pincnshion, lhimbleesse, .needlecase.
sc. She is handsome, very fair blonde
of some thirty-6ve or SO. with . COM
plexion like strawberries and cream and
fine symmetrical figure.
The historical halls through which
she moved so demurely have echoed to
the tread Of Duchess of Deyonshire
whose fame win live as long o. the an
mails Of the fine arts survive. GeoFgi-
ana. the beautiful Duchess Of Devon
shire, (whose portrait BY Gainsborough
and its mysteHous disappearance are
ssill vital topic in art circles held
eOsrt in these splendid rooms. Her ex-
quisite beauty j. tradition which live.
in history. and il is one that The whole
woFld ofcisaization oil to-day IS familiar
With; Cor here is the town which Ia.
not seen in the windows Of its picture
andstationery stores . copy ofthe swee
creature in the powdered hair. big
trimmed 1T and tighs-sleeved, uphels
dress. wIiile fichu ofmaslln Is crosses
over the bosom. and in one Of The beau
iluI hands il 9 rose
In tie ballroom oil Deyonshire House
took place the Erst amateur perform