New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-04
LORD SALISBURY.
AS HE IS SEEN BY HIS NEIGHBORS IN THE
SUNNY LAND OF FRANCE.

SUNNY LAND OF FRANCE.
Paris, September 10,
The completion of Lord Salisburys villa ao
Villafranca, the Riviera, is the occasion Of
many more or less pleasant notices Of the British
Prime Minister in the French press. However
hostile France may be toward him in Egyptian
matters, it has a hearty regard for him per-
sonally, and welcomes him with unaffected cerdi-
ality into the grand army of French "proprie-
taires" and taxpayers. And the sketches Of the
noble lord that printed are kindly in tone.
Perhaps they are not as a rule any more accurate
than English sketches of W. Carnot would be.
Yet the very extravagances into which they now
and then run make them all the more character.
istic and attractive; just caricature is some
times the best possible portrait.
lie Figaro" observes that, although Lord Sails
bury is commonly pictured a foe to France,
flying into Berserk rage at sight of the tri-
color, he is really no such a being. In fact, the
landed proprietor who is concealed behind the
Minister has evident sympathes in the direction
of French soil. Apart from the Chalet Cecil,
which is such pretty ornament of the French
shore, we now see the noble lord, in the charac-
ter Of a worthy Englishman. very fond of the
sun and the blue sky, carving out domain for
himself on the golden coast that the Mediter-
ranean-that mer de famille-dots with its blue
tage, svelte and correct, is at Vile Franche-sur-
Mer, on a cliff proudly draped by mantle Of
olive trees and fowersI Lord Salisbury has de-
signedly selected spot difficult to get at-a place
which by its ruggedness protects him from the
curiosity of his feow-creatures. There is, il is
true, roadway leading TO the house, but board
with the usual notification, No admittanee,' sufii-
GENTLY protects the family from the intepidity Of
reporters or the attentions of enthusiastic CON-
patriots. The statesman ceases 10 exist on French
SOIL but the planter understands how TO exercise
his rights freely; Cincinnatus voluntarily doubles
the part of Diogenes'
The site of the villa is thinks the writer, mar
vellously well chosen. To the right is the har-
Dor of Vilafranca, in front the sea stretches in
definitely, like carpet unr6Iled by an invisible
hand; TO the left is the Italian coast, with Monte
Carlo, Vcntimgia, Bordighera; below the preci-
pice, studded with orange flowers and covered
with verdure. The house built after Lady Sails
bury's plans and under her direction, is a curious
mixture of British comfort and Southern romanti-
cism-Tartarin of Tarascon in an English collar.
Imagine building constructed lengthwise, with
two stories, and twelve windows in the front
small square windows, which seem TO fear lest
they should destroy the symmetry Of the ediice.
The first story-a foyer or entresol-which has run
ming It's whole length an exterior covered gallery,
contains the dining drawing and billiard rooms
spacious apartments, all communicating, and par
ticuarly we'll ventilated On the second floor are
the bedrooms, large and small. The left wing OF
the villa is surmounted by tower, in the ltal-
ian style, at whose summit is a lookout command
ing the surrounding landscape and it is prob
ably there that the chatelans will establish their
observatory.
The walls Of all the apartments embelished
with designs in oils, papering having been en-
tirely discarded by order Of the noble and graz
cious architect of the building. While many Of
the household goods have been bought in France,
others-notably the toilette accessories-came from
England the classical country of comfort II
chose 10 be indiscreet," says Figaro" Il could
tell of letters written in excellent French by the
Marchioness of Salisbury TO her entrepreneurs--
letters which might form complete manual OF
architecture an epitome of what Is comfortable,
written by the refined and expert pen Of q mon
daine who is also thoroughly domesticated. The
English Minister, absorbed by the duties Of the
Foreign Office has left TO his companion the
preparation of the 'fortress-an expression vdlun-
tarily employed by the noble lord, as it fits in
with the genius loci. Sometimes, however, be-
tween two diplomatic dispatches he escapes from
the London fogs, and then you see alight at the
villafranca railway station tall, strong man, his
soft felt hat drawn we'll over the forehead, and
a pipe in his mouth-a sort Of peasant Of the Dam
ube. Of ford complexion-who climbs on foot tho
sunny path leading to the house. Lady
Salisbury is there too, her face shaded by largo
blue VEIL taking notes in memorandum book,
rectifying, and discussing with entrepreneurs and
master masons The worlxmen worship the patron
and patronne and tell each other little stories
concerning this noble menage, so thoroughly
united"