The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-15
M. DE LEssEPs,s RESIDENCE.
Home In the Avenue Montaigne of the Chill
dren of the Great Frenchman.

Home In the Avenue Montaigne of the Chill
dren of the Great Frenchman.
The European Correspondent.
The Comptesse De Lesseps did not according
to French tradition, choose home In the hue de
Varenne or Rue de pUniversite. To the aristo-
cratic faubcTg, she preferred the pure air and
broad avenues of the Champs Elysees quarter
and there she decided to invest her fortune. AS
a wedding present, NJ. De Lesseps had given her
number of SueZ bonds and so great was their
increace in value that from them she realized
enough money to purchase the house No. 8 Ave-
nue. Montague. Its owner, the Princess De
Beauvau, received $175, 900 for the property.
The accessories of the house must representa-
large portion of its value, for the imposing pro-
portions of the entrance-hall are very deceptive,
the magnificent vestbule and colossal marble
staircase. occupying one-fourth of the first and
second stories The vestibule has a floor of tes-
sellated marble, and immense Gobelin por-
there, lined and bordered with red velvet half
concealS the staircase.
The staircase has three landings. At the left
of the first platform is an invisible door leading
to the study of the il!ustrous octogeuarian. This
is composed of two long, narrow rooms, with
windows overlooking street and garden. On the
center or the waXeu floor Is q strip of Oriental
carpeting and the rooms may be called Turkish,
Algerian, Chinese, Indian, what you will On
tables in the corners are bronzes of curious
forms, chiseled brass plaques, Indian enamels
antique ewers, clocks and inkstands. At one
side is an old Japanese lacquer cabinet, incrusted
with ivory andgold; on the shelves of this cabi
net are displayed the decorations OF NJ. De Les
seps. When / tell you that this piece of furni-
ture is six feet high, and that every shelf is hid
den by diamond stars golden crosses and bronze
medals. you will form some idea OF the esteem
in which the great engineer is held by the rul-
of the world. Two large bookcases filled
with treasures occupy the inches made for
them, and the walls above are concealed
by old manuscripts tapestries and
pictures Low Turkish divans covered with
cushions are placed in every available space, and
the rooms might more readily be taken for the
smoking room of an Eastern potentate than for
the study of a European savant Certainly
comfort, combined with elegant confusion,
makes the study the most attractive room in the
house. Its only door opens upon the staircase
and we pass another landing, the wall of which
is hidden by of those marvellous tapestries
of the eighteenth century, copied after Boucher
The third landing gives access to the dining and
drawing-room At the left is the dining room,
about twenty-five feet square. Here a Smyrna
carpet makes red the predominatng tone. The
broad window which gives view of the garden
is yelled by Beauvais tapestry, aud the Henri
III chairs are covered with Cordova leather An
artistic antique clock is near the door, which
leads to the grand salon, but the most striking
feature of the room is a sideboard, ten feet in
length. of chiseled gray marble. Naturally,
this is built in the house, and on il will be dis
played the massive silver services presented to
NJ. De Lesseps by his royal friends.
The large drawing room is about forty feet in
length and the floor is covered by Turkish rug.
The walls are hung with rich red figured silk,
which throws into relief the pure white wood
work, delicately carved as in the time of Louis
XIV. Rich Aubusson curtains at the win
dows, and from the ceiling is suspended colossal
crystal chandelier the rainbow tints of which
are reflected in the mirrors that multiply the
splendor of this room. Three arches, decorated
with acanthus leaves, separate 0his room from
the second drawingroom
An ante-room leading from the small drawing
room to the private staircase, is lighted in
picturesque manner. A large bronze stork holds
in his beak chain, to which are attached four
branches for candles. Above door is picture
Dams les Champs" by an American artist An
inlaid cabinet is at the foot of the staircase lead
ing to the third story. In addition to the oaken
balustrade there is high wire fence so that the
lives of M. De Lesseps's eleven children may not
be in danger and extra precauton, the top
and bottom of each staircase is provided with
gate. fastened with patent spring.
On the third story, over the small drawing
room is the sleepingr room of Nine De Lesseps
The Henri ii bed is of carved oak, and behind
the Medicis embroiGeres of the pillow is
tapestry representing the Madonna and Child
Enthroned." A carved oak wardrobe is between
the windows, and opposite is a carved antique
bureau. A duchesse dressing table. covered
with red silk, yelled in point desprit, occupies
corner, and the furniture is completed by easy
chairs and a reclining couch.
Next to the room of Nine. De Lesseps is a
large square apartment, the walls of which are
hung with chintz of pastoral design. The
floor is carpotess. In this room are FIVE light
oak bedsteads i'll a row, each one covered by
chintz counterpane, with a crucfx and branch
of blessed palm at the head There sleep
four daughters, Tototte, Consuelo Solange
and Helene, and one son, Paulo, about
nine years old. sixth bed, opposite, is re-
served for the governess. Further is Sec
ond room, furnished with the same simplicity,
containing three beds and cradle. The beds
belong to Robert Jacquinet and the nurse; the
cradle to Mile Gisele, who is the latest arrival
and only eight months old. A corridor, arranged
as picture gallery, separates the rooms of the
children from the nursery, sehoolrooms and
guest-chamber, not yet furnished.
The elder boys, Ismail and Matthew, have
large room on the fourth floor, connecting with
that of Bertrand and his governess.
On the ground floor, besides the vestibule al
ready described is the porters lodge, and the
large kitchen is in the cellar.
At the foot of very deep garden is building
whose first floor is used for stable and carriage
house Tho second and third are reserved for
the domestics.