The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-16
A DUCHESS
FROM AMERICA.
The House Lately Bought by the Duchess
Of Marlborough.
1t is q Spacious Mansion, the Entrance Doors
Of Which Are Passed With Sense Of
Repose and Dignity.

was for many years the residence of the
late Lady Brownlow, whose hospitality
therein dispensed is still most pleasantly re-
membered. 1t is one of the largest of the
spacious mansions that form the terrace,
and impresSes one the moment the entrance
doors are passed with a sense of quiet re-
pose and dignity. The wide vestibule and
hall are softly carpeted and warmly col
ored; not footstep breaks the silence. not
an lnharmoDious note jars upon the nerves.
Against the dull crimson walls collie ction
OF arms and weapons IS artiStically ar
ranged in a trOphe motif. The wide stair
case ascends at the back. and is broken halt
way by broad landing. In Lady Brown
lows time the second short flight of stairs
gave immediate access to the morning room,
but the Duchess of Marlborough has altered
this incOnvenient arrangement by making
the old bOudoir into large square ante
chamber, divided from the stairca Sc by six
handsome columns of verde antique mar
bic. Opening from this is the new room
built by the Duchess for her own special
sanctum. to reach which you 90 down three
or four steps, easily shut off when desirable
by portieres and glass doors.
Truly a gem of room, replete with a
thousand charming artistic and historic
souvenirs, and bearing the stamp OF indi-
vidualiiy bestowed by the constant presence
OF Its mistress. The proportions are lofty
and pleasing; the walls are hung in brocade
OF soft, brilliant yet pale grt Ell shade, sup
ported by low dado of white enameled
wood. One broad window opening to the
floor is draped in a similar texture, and
gives access to a miniature conservatory, all
lined with palms and tropical ferns and
made gay and lovely with The choicest flow
erS. orchids especially, these being the
Duchess of MarlborOugh's favorite exotic,
and any one familiar with the beauty and
rarity of the Blenheim orchids will at once
realize the gorgeous effect of color and form
thus attained. Birds have their homes here
too, singing in their cages merrily enough.
and lesser flowers bloom on ali sides.
"Oh, indeed, yesp' her Grace says with a
bright smile, Il do love this little room; it
is my very own, you see, ana here | am
never disturbed.
MY FLOWERS AND MY BIRDS
Make it very bright and homelike, and 1t is
| not too large TO be thoroughly comfortable
and cosy"
The decorations of this little salon are
Louis XVI in style, the marble chimney
piece being particularly fine example Of
French workmanship of that period, though
showing strong evidences of the influence
OF the English brothers Adams in the design
and execution. The center jamh has an in
terest of its own. as 1t was taken from one
OF the original nantelpieces at Blenhelm
Palace; the pure, severe lines Of the bold
half-relief sculptured figures are neither
concealed nor half hidden by draperies, an
innovation too often adopted without salts
factory results. Above the narrow shelf
hangs an antique mirror framed in ornate gilt
holdings. and above this again most beauti-
full portrait, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds,
of one Of the Churchill ancestreSses. The
wide hearth is tiled with marble. and on the
low tiredOgs burn that most CHEEKY of all
fires, old well-seasoned oak logs. On the
walls hang few rare and valuable pict-
ures; one OF little maiden, by Sir Joshua,
in quaint green frock and high cOnical
hea0-dress; near to this is beautiful land
scape, and beneath it group of three
water-cOlor drawings are full of pathetic
interest, not only on account of their in
trlnslc merit, but because they once be-
longed TO the Empress Eugene, and were
special favorltes OF hers in the happier DAYS
OF her checkered career. Two beautiful ex-
ampleS OF old falence hang above a low
chaiSe-tongue; both are relics from the
famous Seller sale. a tiny, siim-legged
marquetaire table stands before tile fire,
holding pretty collection Of silver toys,
and at right angles with the smaller window
Is placed commOdiOus and delightful
escrtolre, furnished with every luxury and
convenience, including a telephone and
electric bell, that the heart of the most
exigeant scribbler could desire.
With sigh of regret You leave this de-
iighttul boudoir, ana passing through the
glass doors and up the short flight of steps
enter the drawing-roGms on the left. These
open one from the other, and form stately
suite when all ell grande tenue. The spa
cIouSness of the proportions is what most
strikes you, and the loftiness OF the ceilings,
nniShed In hall cove, ornamented in gold
on cream-white ground. The design is
very elaborate, being replica of one of
THE CEILINGS AT VERSAILLES
OF Louis XVI period. The walls are hung
in rich SATIN damask of that rare and very
beautiful shade known as bOutOn d'Ur-that
subtle cleaning tint which catches thou
sand golden lights ana reflections as the sun
strikes across IT. Upon this exquisite back
ground, hlllng all the larger spaces, are very
choice old Flemish tapestries, supplemented
here and there by some artistic gem in
bronze or vertable " old master" sent from
the Bienheim Gallery.
A line bust IN green bronze standing in
one corner on slender marble pedestal at
once arrests the eye, not only as a superior
work oil art, but also as a speaking lfelika
presentment of LIE Grand Monarque
NV. a large mirror of old French work
nanshp hangs above the narrow marble
mantel-shelf, in itself an exceptional speci-
men OF eighteenth century stone carving;
and on either side are candelRbra groups,
yelled in soft-hued silks, that diffuse The
cool white rays of the electric light The
furniture is ornate and ford, the elaborate
gilt mounts setting off effectively the dainty
brocades lowered silks and delicate satins
OF varying hues, which seem almost too
falrylike for daily use. Here, too, on every
side flowers hold undisputed sway, adorn-
ing quaint console tables and graceful or
molu cabinets, growing In pots, or thrown
carelessly into antique vases and great crys-
tai bowls. The air is heavy with the sweet
perfume, and on every hand the eye is
gratfed by their graceful forms and vivid
cOlOring-fOr the Duchess OF Marlborough
has the Inherited love of her nation for
these children of nature.
L cannot live without flowers" says her
Grace. ~ on know what a necessity they
are TO American women. We are accus-
toned to their influence from our childhood
Just as we are accustomed to bright sun
shine and blue skies. am true American
in my love for them. Life without flowers
would not be life to me-certainly not life
worth livingp
Opening from this stately yellow salon is
the second drawing-room, with its three
long windows looking out upon st. James
Park, room full OF the most delicious
things, over which one would like to lin ger
for hours. The walls and draperes are of
bright positive flame color" damask, a
brilliant, peculiar shade, with a cleaning
copper sheen upon its surface.
THE COLOR AND DESIGN
Are Blenheim heirlooms, and its resuscita-
ton Is due TO the Duke of Marlborough hay-
ing Unexpectedly discovered torn and tat
tered fragment OF the original damask on an
old chair, which so pleased his artistic taste
that he Immediately had the pattern and
fabric copied and reproduced. The pictures
that adorn this inner drawing room are of
themselves liberal education, being for
the most part original Rubenses, brought
from the Blenhem collection.
Truly charming home, well worthy of
the charming hostess who greets you with
such unaffected courtesy and cordially.
The Duchess Of Marlborough is beauti-
full woman, tall and extremely graceful,
with touch of god in the abundant brown
hair that grows low upon the broad white
forehead, expressive hazel eyes and de-
cidedly marked eyebrows. The charm of
her face lies, however in its ever changing
expression, in the light that comes and goes
in her eyes. in the smile that plays about
her mobile lips, and that reminds you ire
sistibly of CabaneHs immortal MAR
tn