The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-24
WHERE ENGLAND IS RULED.


Tho Facilities Enjoyed by Her Law
Makers.
one Of the modern delivers into musty
fact-bins for treasure troye 30 tickle the
palates Of periodical readers has hauled
out with his hook and exhibited with
pride the fact that 10 Downing street,
London. the official residence of the chan
cellor Of the exchequer OF the English gov
ernment. stands on the site of Henry
Wills cockpit made when he enlarged
Whitehall palace, says an exchange.
There was once a row Of these stately
brick houses, built all alike By Sir George
Downing I'm 1860 or thereabOuts. but of
these only three now remain-NO. TO-,
the residence since Robert WalpOle, OF
the first lord; no. H. the residence Of
the chancellor of the eXch-Iuer and
No. y, used by the government whips.
The whole British government. with it's
acres Of Offices miles Of red tape, buck
cts Of ink, barrels Of pens, and square
miles Of parchments centres In Downing
street Downing street Is Synonymous
with the roar Of the British lion. At
the barest whisper Of It's name, the dus-
XIV potentates IF BoriohOoia Cha and
Timbuctoo are supposed to tremble. much
as the hunted wretches in Darkest Eng
land grow pale al the mention Of Scot
land Yard And of Downing street,
No. 10 is the focus.
Yet the street is but a little cul-de-sac
which no one ever happens upon, but
must be found by seeking. AT No Do.
where lives the venerable Gladstone. at
the present moment is but an old-fashiOn-
ed house. with it's crumbling railing.
its old style area and ancient lights.
IL
statesmen in knee breeches and dainty
wigs sat i'm counsel as This Majesty
confidential servants" Generations Of
statesmen have come and gone since its
foundations were laid. Iu AddieCn's
time II was a famous residence. George
l. settled his Hanoverian minister iu IT.
when ne came over TO England from Ham
over. and George II. gave it to EVERY
Man-Has- His Price" WalpOle. Au the
prime ministers Of this century have been
familiar with L.. and of It's old council
chamber now used by Mr. Gladstone's
secretaries many tales are told with
somebOdies and nobcd.es as their he
rOeS.
Here. probably I'm the vast old room
with its painted and capitaled pillars
and It's bOOk-shclves and records and the
famous long table with it's green cloth
cover, must the old Duke of Newcastle
have aired his knowledge Of American
geography. go, yes-ycs. 20 be surei
Annapolis must be- defended. Troops
must be sent 90 Annapolis. Pray, where
is Annapolis? Cape Breton an island?
Wonderful Show IL 90 me on the map.
So 1t IS, sure enough. My dear sir. YOU
always bring me good news. ] must
80 and tell the King. Cape Breton is an
island"
The outer reception room has the same
fluted columns Of wood Stimulating mar
bic, with heavily moulded iambs and
castings, a wide fireplace and modern
furniture, which looked rather out of
place In such an ancient room. All
Is dreary, cold and Official. es is the case
with every room save perhaps the phi
waite apartments. into which the casual
visitor does not penetrate.
The dining room is a venerable vain
scoted apartment much used In his day
by the Earl of BeacoEsneld. whose Ia
nous parliamentary dinners gave In his
opinion "tone to a political party"
The Queens birthday banquets are given
here. but IL IS not much used by Mr..
Gladstone. His famous breakfasts We're
given in the inner reception room ad-
joining. The old-fashioned brass soon
ces for the candles. the fine old chande-
lier, recall the times Of Walpole. and
help one without much enOrt 10 people
the old room with the distinguished
guests Of his and other DAYS.
Much OF this air OF Journalism Is re-
lieved by the feminine kickshaws and
bric-a-brac which Mrs. Gladstone. Miss
Gladstone, and Mrs. Henry Gladstone
scatter about the old rooms And If
one is so fortunate as TO get a peep
into the old, prim British garden with
It's terraces and its wonderful turf, on
day when the sun shines bright and
warm upon the scene, he will feel that
there are some pleasant features about
10 Downing street, after all.
Mr. GladstOnes own room Is a
smaller apartment. well lighted and I'LL
ed with books and the litter OF work
Books are almost sacred objects Of In
terest 10 Mr.. Gladstone, and II is real
pain 70 him 10 see book rubbed or dam
aged by careless treatment. His meth
cd OF reading is more that OF the tor
toise than that Of the hare. He has
never acquired the art OF skipping; he