The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-03
A RESTORED CASTLE.
THE ENGLISH HOME or THE OUCH
ess OF MARLBOROUGH.
what American Wealth Has Done Tor
One Of Engiand's Historic Mansions.
uo,v an American wopian Has Bcauti-
aed and Improved an Old Estate.

If the United States navy. AS MISS Lillian
price when only young girl her beauty
attracted admiration, not only in her ma
tive town Of Troy, n. Y, but in the wider
,ireles Of Washington diplomatic lie. The
duchess. after the death OF her first hus-
band. Mr. Louis HamInersley, OF New
York. came over 10 England. on her second
marriage. and since then her energy has
sone not a little 70 restore Blenheim, that
magnificent memorial TO the founder OF
| the family's fortunes, TO something OF Its
former beauty and grandeur.
No 3 Carlton House Terrace was for
many years before &c came into the posses
zion Of the Duchess of Marlborough the
residence of the late Lady Brownlow-
whose hospitality there Is still very pleas
antly remembered-and IL Is one Of the
/ largest of those large mansions that form
the terrace. The hall and vestibule are
softly carpeted--not a footstep breaks the
silence-and warmly colored, and against
the dull crimson Of the wall interesting
trophies OF arms and weapons are artistic
ally arranged. The wide staircase is
broken half way by broad landing, and
IN Lady BrownlOw's time the second short
fight gave immediate access 20 the morn
Ing room, but the duchess has altered this
Somewhat inconvenient arrangement by
making the old boudoir into large, square
Rntechamber, divided from the staircase
by six handsome columns Of verde antique
marble.
Opening from this, down two or three
steps, is a new room built by the duchess
specially for her own sanctum, and easily
shut off when desired by portieres and
glass doors It's proportions are lofty and
pleasing, the walls are hung in brocade Of
soft, brilliant, yet pale green shade, and it
Is filed with a thousand interesting and
historic souvenirs. It's one broad window
gives access to miniature conservatory,
with palms and tropical ferns made gay
with choice flowers. Orchids are her
graces favorite exotic, and those who are
familiar with the "Blenheim" selections
can at once realize the gorgeous effect that
ean be attained.
In this little salon the duchess is never
disturbed, and bright though 1t is, it is not
too large TO be comfortable and coy. The
decorations are Louis XVI in style, the
marble chimneypiece being particularly
fine example of French workmanship of
that period, and showing evidences of Eng
lish influence in design and execution. The
central jamb was taken from one Of the
original mantelpieces Of Blenheim palace
The wide hearth is tiled in marble, and on
IL burns an old, well seasoned oak fire.
Above the narrow mantelshelf Is beauti-
full portrait, by Joshua Reynolds, of one Of
the Churchill ancestresses, and on the
walls hang a few rare and valuable pic
lures Of Reynolds and others, and three
valued on account of belonging TO the En-
press Eugene, with whom they were spe-
cial favorites in happier days.
The drawing rooms form a stately suite
Of rooms opening one from the other. The
proportions are very striking and the lofti-
ness of the ceilings, finished in a half cone,
are very elaborate in design, being a re-
plea Of one of the ceilings Of Versailles Of
Louis XVI period. The work was exc
cuted by skilled French workmen brought
from Paris specially for the purpose. u
the front drawing room the walls are hung
with rich satin damask OF the shade known
as "bouton dor" and on this background
are excellent old Flemish tapestries sup
plemented here and there by some artistic
gem in bronze or some veritable old master
sent from the gallery at Blenheim. A
very superior work Of art, standing in
corner on a slender marble pedestal, is
fine bust in green bronze Of Louis XIV
and large mirror Of old French work
manship hangs over the mantelshelf-in
itself an exceptional specimen of the
Eighteenth century stone carying-with
massive candelabra on either side.
That the duchess has inherited her ma
TONS love for flowers is amply testified,
for they hold undisputed sway on all sides,
adorning the tables, growing in pots or
thrown carelessly into antique vases and
great crystal bowls.
The second drawing room, with its three
windows opening out on st. James park,
is a room full Of curiosities over which one
might linger for hours. The walls and
draperies are of bright flame coiored
damask, the color and design being Blen-
helm heirlooms, and its resuscitation Is
due to the duke having accidentally dis
covered an old chair, torn fragment Of
the original which so pleased him that he
had the pattern fabric copied and repro
duced. The pictures OF this inner drawing
room are for the most part original Ru-
benses brought from the Blenheim collec-
ton.
Whatever may be the attractions Of
Carlton house terrace 10 the duchess,
Blenheim, nevertheless, is the home of her
choice, and on the rehabilitation Of that
historic spot she has lavished her wealth
unsparingly. This palace, besides being,
from its size and magnificence and its his
torical associations, one of the most re-
markable country homes Of England, is
most charmingly situated, and there il
hardly another place which conveys such
a perfect feeling Of English country seen
cry as the gentle, undulating hills, the
beautiful woods, and the winding lake.
which form the setting Of the gem-the
mansion itself.
The palace dates back only 10 the begin
ming Of last century, when, by special act
Of parliament, the Royal manor, Of Wood
stock, was settled on the first duke and his
heirs forever, with pension of 5000 in
perpetuity as national recognition and
reward for Lis services as captain general
Of the queens forces
The duke and duchess spend the greater
part Of the year here, coming TO town only
. few months in the season, and here on
every hand-in the splendid orchid houses,
extensive Conservatives, the roseries and
flower gardens, as well as in the interiG,
arrangements of the great establishment
the hand Of the young duchess is plainly
TO be seen.-LondOn Cor. San Francisco
Argonaut
In tho Race To Stay.