New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-05
AN AMERICAN DUCHESS.
TIE ENGLISH HOME OF HER GRACE %
MARLBOROUGH

From London letter To The San Francisco Argonau6
Within doors of of Londons most popular
Mrs. Machay-and in the same terrace Is the
town residence for the time being OF the head of one VI
c c 'I D%ses OF '' Tns
first Duke was that celebrated warrior, John Churchl
Queen Annc's reign broke the military power OK
Louis NV for time. and thus practically saved his
rs has been alleged by some this fortunate soldiers
character was "avaIicious. and tTcacherOus de-
void alike of patriotism and honor" it would lie pre-
sumptuous now to venture to decide but his services
to his country well deserved the rewards bestowed
wellington and Nelson in the roll of National heroes
and In the memories OF his fellow countrymen
a. The present. Duchess, married to a descendant Of
thls leader by land Is herself the daughter Of Q
leader by sea-" her father having been commodore
Of the United states Navy. As Miss Lillian Price,
ton. not only In her native town Of Troy n. Y, but
IN the wider circles OF Washington diplomatic Life.
from her fathers position, she had been accustomed
from her earliest grihood TO mngle great deal With
the outside world, and she herself admits she owes
much TO the chaper0nage OF her aunt Mrs. Ogle Taylor
"a lady VINO made her debut in the older days when
perhaps greater respect felt and reverence shown
the Duchess, after the death of her first hnsband-Mr
LOns iIammersley, or New-York-came over to Eng
energy has done not a little to restore Blenheim--
that magnificent memorial to the founder Of the
famy's fortunes-to something Of its former beauty
and grandeur
In appearance the Duchess is a beautiful woman
brown hair, and decidedly marked eyebrows Her
conversation Is both brilliant and amusing, and an
what desultory reader while, an enthusiastic lover
OF art she IS connoisseur and critic Of more than
Churchill, the Duchess in touch with most
numerous connection; and besides taking leading
may lay claim, along with the Godophin osbornss, the
Earls spencer, the Barons Churchill, with their multi.
udinous coateras and the other descendants Of the
Great DIXIE" to the appellnton and privileges Of .
inncess OF Mcndelheim In suaba, dignity originally
bestowed on the family by the Emperors Leopold ana
Joseph
No. Carlton House Terrace was for many years
Of Marlborough the residence of the late Lady Brown.
low-whcSo hospitality there Is still very pleasantly
mansions that form the terrace. The hall and vesti.
bnle are softly caipeted-not footstep breaks the
crimson OF the wall interesting trophies OF arms and
weapons are artsticaly arranged The wide staircase
Is broken half way BY broad landing, and, IN Lady
Brownlpw's time the second short flight gave immedi-
ate access to the morning room, but the Duchess has
altered this somewhat inconvenent arrangement by
chamber divided from the staircase by six handsome
columns OF verde antique marble. Opening from this,
down two or three steps. IS room built by the
Duchess specially for her own sanctum, and easily
shut of when desired by porteres and glass doors.
hung In brOcade OF SOFT brilliant yet pale green shade
and IS filled with thousand Interesting and historic
miniature conservatory. with palms tropical ferns
made gay with choice flowers. Orchids are Her Grace's
"Benheln. selections can at once realize the gorge
9 h est that eaa b" a9nsd In this little ac.
Is nat too rs large s to be lie ana @ The
n "f s soa%S' .v e
Inantelpeces Of Benheim Palace The wide hearth is
soncd oak fire Above the narrow manteishelf is q
beautiful portrait, by Joshua Reynolds OF one Of the
and valuable pictures OF Reynolds and Others
and three VALUED on account of belonging to the EN-
table stands before the fire holding pretty collection
of ipap fny. nd af vIf 10 H.
placed Il commodous escritore. furnished with every
luxury and convenience, including telephone and an
The driving rooms form a statcly suite Of rooms
opening one from the other. The proportions are
shed in a half-cone are very elaborate In design,
being replica Of one Of the ceilings Of Versailles q
by skilled French workmen brought from Paris specially
for 'he pnrg ss tne front ", T the walls
bCutOn dor" and this background are excellens
old Flemish tapestries SUPPLEMENTED here and thers
old master sent from the gallery at Blcnheim. \
very superior work Of art, standing in corner on
lronze CT Louis the Fourteenth and a large mirror
s fTrn " % over Of the the %sS
century stone caiVing-with massive candelabra ID
That The Duchess has inherited her nations love
for flowers Is amply testified for they hold I'M
SroWinS in rs or thrown coreesiV ,nto anons
vases and great crystal bowls.
op s o on M T Es is three room Tndw
carioes over which might unger for hours
damaSS the coior and design beIas Blenhem heir.
looms and IFS resuscittion Is due TO the Duke having
mcnt OF the Original which 80 eaSed him 0t that t1 Ss
had the pattern fabric. copied and Reproduced. The
part origInni Rnbenses brought IRON the Bienh4Sa
collection. The chimney pece as in the front saon
by old mirror with curious candelabn on either
side Before the wide hearth stands frescreen Of
" 1H| Of the IS e Scaut hs cid
print was discovered by the present Duchess who has
frame OF carved gilded wood finishing In a Srai
dncal coronf There are also several valuable old
examples OF rare china in this apartment. arranged
FOR the most part on quaint halicrescent table, and
In corner stands an exquisite old harp, the SHIFT
painting. Of iiowers While through the room flowers
bloom everywhere and the wide balcony outside is alive
Whatever may be the attractions OF Carlton House
Terrace TO the Dnche'S Blenheim. nevertheless. is
that historic spot she has layished her wealth. un.
srrngly. This palace. besides being from its size
of the most remarkable country homes OF England
is most charmingly situated. and there is hardly
Of English country scenery as the gentle. nndaaiins
hills. the beautiful woods: and the winding lake.
The palace dates back only to the beginning OF ast
century when. by special act Of Parliament. the Royal
and his heirs forever with pension OF Ave thousand
pounds In perpeiuity rs national recognition and
reward for his services captain general OF The
Queens forces.
The Duke and Duchess spend the greater part o.
the year here. coming 10 town only few months
In the season and here every hand-in the
splendid orchid houses, extensive conscrvatoes the
rosecs. and flower gardens. rs we'll ms In the interior
orrn gcments OF the cStablishment-the hand Of
the Young Duchess Is plainly 10 be The east
side of this great pile which looks like miniature
town with lofty gables. II occupied BY n range OF
rooms known 5ls the private apartments: the south
dining room. salon. and state
and the library stretches along the side Tho
. Revnolds Rrom"-Once the morning -room-the Ouch
,ss reserves specially for her own and on every
side hang the famous masterpieces Of this great
artist most OF Churchill portraits but here ana
there landscape. There Is. Also collection OF an.
ouiste old English faience. and various clrO tabes
foh the remains OF the celebrated Blenheim bncs-
h,ac and miniature collection. The tapestry I'm fha
paacc consists the main Of representations OF fhs
ii,s Dukes battles and sieces and series OF Alex-
nnder.s battles from designs by Lebrnn and vas
mostly manufactured In the Low Countries. The hest
nictnres arc gathered together In the chief drawing
room of the ralnce which worthily vindicatas its
claim TO the Ate Of the Grand Cabinet, Acmss
one OF the loft mirrors In the dinng-room Is PLACED
n staff bearing d small white flag Of silk edged with
"old ON which emblazoned three fenrs de- listha