Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-06-25
Mrs Mackay's Few House

The London man=ion Of whtcn Mrs. Joon
a. Mackay, the Auarcsn mil!ionsiress, has
iass taken possession is Que of the most re-
narkabe in every way OF those that cover
tte site Of the historical Carlton House. l.
was built originally by the thir3 Dake of
Lsinster, snd the present owner of the tide
sold it shortly after bis succession to Mr.. G
b. Sanford, a millionaire, whose ambi ion 1t
was to possess the fcsss bouss In all Lon
don. Mr.. Sanford gave carte biauche alike
to architects and decorators. For over two
years the work went slowly oD, and jast
wheu Its completion seemed a. last to be
in view the Barring complication interVened,
snd Mr. Sanford found himself compelled to
surrender :Ae toy for which be had paid so
dearly. TIE negotiations did not take "a
hourH, end Mr. and Mrs. John Mackay, u-
stead of Mr.. Sanford. became tbe neighbors
@, Mr Panmors Gordon end Lord Penn
broke.
The entrance haIs contain some OF the
finest decorative work ever seen in England.
Toe frat hes cei!iug Of blue and gold,
" hiie the walls are pane!ed with SLABS OF
pink Soudsnese marble. divided by eta.uary
pi!esters and broken only by fifteenth GEN.
tury Itsmap chimneypece. The hsiustrsd-
ed staircase OF white marble In the inner
bail alone cost small fortune. All tho de-
tsls of the Italian fifteenth century carving
are perfect, and the walls are covered with
green aud gold brocade and foe old tapes
try. The doors are inlsid with rich lutarsia
work, aud the doorways o! white sta ua y
msrb Q display the most delicate Rsphsei-
esque desigus. Nothing coud bs more et-
feoiive than the coffered ceiling, each "cof-
T. Iii, Id xx,iIL ofo ohap
the pe.als OF which are composed of pearl
shells.
The Henry II. dining room is deeply pan.
elled with mahogany, the margins OF the
lower panels being lDiaid with satinwood.
The coffered ceiling is decorated with finely
m odeled figures in ivory color on gold
ground. The eisborately carved fireplace
reaches to the ceiling. The ballroom and
drawing room ere on the first floor. The
ceiling of the former has Its pauels filled
with paintings, while those OF the walls are
occupied by enormous pieces OF Gobelins
tepestry, signed Cozette, and representing
episodes 10 the career of Don Qaixote after
Cuyp.
A great use he's been made Of cloisou
euameI, especially for the production of two
ideal bathrooms-the one Pompeian the
other Jspanese-wit appropriate fruits and
flowers en- the walls. Electric light cnly is
used. The house contains some of the
choicest works of art In Earope. The Cob
elins Don Qaixote tapestries are continued
iu the drawing room. In addition to sever
a. statues in the hall there is large "trip
OF Bsauveis tapestry, representing "Agricul-
ture," and four more Gobeiios panels de-
voted to the Seasons" The Beauvais hang
ings On tbe staircase have for their subj act
the life of Christopher Columbus, 8 very sp-
prorriste subject for sn American house
hold. All the chairs and sofas In the dining
room are covered With genuine Louis XVI.
needework. This cabinets contain price,
less collection Of ofbbeIo,s, Sevres, miniatures,
snuff boxes, &c., and the pictures (many Of
tbem masterpieces) are bv Ruoens. Wou.
vermann. Teniers, Gerard Dow, Jan Steen,
Cabanei, Meissonier, and Bonpat The bali.
ROOM measures City feet by twenty-five, and
both 1t and the sc Joining saloons are treated
10 the Paladiu style of the Italian six.eenth
"a, tury