Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-27


inclined to envy the young Duke. The
stage has furnished many beautiful |
wives TO the English aristoeraoy, but |
so far as is known no American actress
has heretofore made so remarkable
conquest. The Duke Of Portland is
fine, manly young fellow of six and
twenty. He was for a time in the
Coldstream Guards, where he was very
popular indeed among his brother of
fcers. A good shot, a genial, good
fellow, capital man in canter across
the country, he was a general favorite.
Every one wished HIM hearty good
luck when, in 1879, he succeeded the
late eccentric Duke OF Portland, his
first cousin. For twenty,six years this
last named parsonage lived the life OF
reclusei For more than quarter OF
century all he cared
for was the carrying out Of his
wonderful works at Weibeck Abbey.
He usedto dine alone, no one approach
ing him but his valet. There we're
drawn for him every day two quarts Of
beer and two Of ale, but he never drank
them. He was free from vice, and his
usual manner Of lie was said to have
been caused solely by an oyermaster-
ing desire to carry into effect his
rare constructive skill. His "eecen
tricity" found employment for thou.
sands Of hands, and his works at Vel
beck remain a great monument to his
memory. The late Duke had refined
taste in architecture An archway
was at one time built for him by an
architect which, when completed, was
an eyesofe. Instead of manifesting
his displeasure to the architect he
simply had it pulled down one even
ing, and when the architect came next
day he did not even mention his work,
and not word was said about its dis
appearance. On the death of the
Duke, Welbeck went into mourning,
and the multitude Of people who
looked for bread to a tasteful and lib,
eral nobleman asked themselves how
far the works at Welbeok would be
continued.
wELBEcK ABBEY.
The present Duke, though he did
not spend his money with the lavish
hand Of his predecessor, still ex-
pended large amounts in completing
the works at the Abbey. The work
Of reconstruction was carried on 10 a
prudent manner, and the present
owner seemed to be lmbued with the
desire Of the late Duke to make Wei
beck Abbey enthusiastically perfect.
The Abbey will always be famed for
its underground passages, which ex
tend for miles, and for its subters
ranean apartments, including a spa
cious ballroom and suits of rooms in
the bosom Of the earth. The most
striking feature in the buildings
above ground is the large Gothic hall,
restored in 1851 by the Countess Of
Oxford; and the visitor cannot fail to
be delighted with the fsn.like tracery
Of the ceiling, the elaborate designs
and the splendid decorations. Ii the
early part OF his career the late Duke
devoted himself ardently TO the cult.
walton of art, aud the hundreds Of
paintings which adorn the walls Of the
Abbey testify to the good taste he
must have possessed Extending in all
directions from the Abbey are those
lofty and spacious passages which
have been for SO long the wonder
and admiration Of the privileged visi.
tor. They are brilliantly lighted
by means Of costly apparatus for at
tracing the sunlight, and where sun
light cannot be admitted, by gaslight.
The celebrated riding school, the
like Of which is not to be found in the
world, is reached through one or two
underground passages. Entrance is
gained by trap door, which is opened
by a curiOusly designed crank In the
passage. The building was used for
the purpose Of riding school in the
Duke Of NeWcastle's time, but has
since been converted into a maenif.
cent museum Of art, $50 feet in leugth.
Large numbers Of pictures are ar.
ranged 10 the gallery, and on the oak
floor are thousands Of rare aud valua-
bic books, ancient and modern. The
gallery is lighted BY means Of four
chandeliers, each weighing q ton, sus.
pended from the roof. There are up
ward Of two thousand gas lets, and
when all are Illuminated the effect
must be brilliant in the extreme.
Mirrors adorn the walls, and the
ceiling Of the gallery is beautifully
decorated with a design representing
midsummer sky. The library as
wellas tie picture gallery is under.
ground, and is the result Of many
years labor. 1t is 236 feet In length
aud divided into FIVE chambers, which
are so constructed as to form when
desirable one very large chamber or
hall.
AFAMoUs PICTURE GALLERY.
Another apartment was commenced
seven years ago, but was not completed
before the late Dukes death. Ills
reached by a spiral staircase at one
end and by subterranean passage at
the other end. II was supposed at
one time that it was intended for a
church, but there is nothing ecclesi-
astical about its appearance. Its
oaken floor is a wonderful piece Of
work so close aud fine is il. The deep
tone the wood has been obtained BY
regular washing with rare old Wei.
beck ale. II is now use1 rs q picture
gallery, and on the walls are 100
grand works by Radaelle, Vandyck.
Rembrandt, Rubens, Holbein, Sif
Joshua Reynolds, Wouyermans and
others. There are many other under,
ground chambers, and all Of them
have been excavated at great cost
They are magni6oently decorated, ad.
mirably lighted and are free from.
draughts. Altogether there are many
miles Of subterranean passages, ali o,
i which arc pleasant 10 walk in and
wide enough to allow OF three persons
walking abreast.
THE BENTINCKs.
! The Bentincks are Of ancient and
honorable standing. Baron Bentinck
the bargomaster OF Maastricht. having
attached his son Hans 10 William
Prince Of Orange as a page. the Prince
/; became attached 10 the young man
! and having himself beooms King II
England, gave to Hans the old Eng.
lish title Of Earl Of Portland. Thence.
forth the family Aourished. The sec.
ond Earl was made a Duke, the tbird
, Duke was twice Prime Minister. ana
. having married a daughter Of M
Duke Of Devoushiro, took in 1901 N,
additional surname and arms Of Cav.
eudish. The fourth Duke married ,
= daughter Of General Scott and witL
, her acquired a vast property. Then
2 came the eccentric Duke known as tbt
0 Invisible Prince, and after him An,
present Duke, the fortunate winner
Of Americas most charming actress
This young nobleman is the son
!, Of the late General Arthur Ben.
timex: His mother; who was dauqb.
Z ter Of Sir st, Vincent Whitshed, died