The morning call., 1894-01-14
A PARTISAN HOME.
Mansion of the Princess
BranCOVan.
RICH AND RARE FURNISHINGS
Marvellous Eighteenth Century Ia
pestry - The Picture
Gallery.

i
has recommended the Sunday breakfasts
so popular during tie lifetime of her hus-
band. The Paris home of the Brsncovans
in the Avenue HOche has always been
kind of Hotel Rambouilet. Here came to
breakfast every Sunday CazU, the lncarna-
ton of philosophy, and here were seen
Count de Rambuteau, Octave Feulllet,
Massenet. and Count d'Haussonville. No
French salon is more French than this
salon stranger, where the grand seigneur
like d'HaUssOnville was glad to meet the
great poet like Mistral.
AS have said. the home Of the Princess
is in the Avenue Hoche. between the Pare
Monceau and the Champs Elysees. Here
are odd bIonZes, magnificent hangings,
Venetian mirrors, etc. Some of the rooms
remind one of a harem, because of their
gliding, low divans, embroidered cushions
ana srong perfumes. The second story
contains the reception rooms In the
dining-room curtains of dark blue
plush contrast with a bright red carpet.
and the Henri II chairs are covered
with Cordova leather. At one side is a
mirror, placed so as 10 reflect the entire
room, and old pictures, representing the
history of Esther, fill the spaces between
the doors. Opposite the dining-room are
the saloons, the entrance doors OF which
resemble pictures of the eighteenth GEN.
tury. The Algerian drawing-roOm has
bangings of purple and gold. On the man.
tel Is an onyx clock supporting crystal
box, inRid with precious stones. On each
side of this is candeStlck, upheld by an
elephant in Indian enamel. Pictures.
signed 'Lauy." are scattered here and
there, and opposite the windows, between
two mirrors, Is an old japanese lacquer
cabinet, inlaid with pearl, ivory and gold.
In the center of the state dTawing-rOOm.
under an immense palm tree, is grand
piano, draped with Turkish embroideres.
In one corner o haTpsichord serves as Ia
BILE for bibelots, and beside il is Japan
ese desk covered with artistic objects. An
immense bay-WlndOw is conservatory,
where Turkish boxes inlaid with pearl are
filed with rare plants, and in their midst
Oh an easel draped with plush, is por-
trait of the late Prince BrancOyan.
a panel of this room is devoted to a
marvellous tapestry of the eighteenth GEN.
tury, Toilette de Venus" after Boucher.
Between two sofas covered with silken
embroideries Cupids carved from Vene-
tian wood hold alOft branch of lights
and from the ceiling a colossal crystal
chandelier darts its rays into the immense
mirrors that encircle this drawing-room.
Connected with this salon is the gallery
OF HospOdars. where Slsep in their
frames ali the ancestors of Prince
de BrancOvan, Long and narrow,
the high ceiling of this gallery dis
appears under paintings to which the
Renaissance lent its coIOring. On all sides
are carved oaken stalls brought from Wal
lachia by the Prince. Above the stalls Is
a row of famous warriors, who have
reigned over Wallachia ana ROumania,
and sometimes a woman's face casts a
brighter shade over the terrible Hospodars.
Underneath each portrait is q strange
picture representing the history of the
Bibesco aud their country. Stained glass
windows light this gallery. In one stands
q statue, which is colossal lamp, and by
another is entered n little boudoir. This
is sultana's buen retirO-cushions, brass
tables, perfumed cigarettes-all the luxu-
ries OF the Orient.
In the first story, through the large
stained-glaSS windows of the staircase, the
light falls upon tapestries and arms gilt
tering upon the walls. A pOrtere coDeeals
a smokiug-room hung with Oriental stuffs
and ornamented by a monumental stove
incrusted with Persian enamel. The Ii
brary is connected with the fumoir, and
here are wonderful brOnZes, japanese
storks, Indian enamels, and, in q corner,
a large brass clock brought from the siege
of Puebla.
The Princess de Brancovan always
spends her summers at the Villa Amphion,
Lake Geneva. bought from CounuWalew-
ski. The ROumania. the Brancovan yacht,
BREAKFASTS.
balls and concerts.
In 1874 Prince Bassaraba de Brancovan
married Ralonka. daughter of Musurus
Pasha, the Christian diplomat who. as EN-
bassador of the Sultan. was for so long a
time dean of the diplomatic corps in Lon
don. Fond of society. gay, b0nne enfant.
rs her friends call her, not a painter has
succeeded in fixing upon canvas the ex-
preston OF her face. Grace, art, poetry
are absent. The woman herself is want
lBg. III. d'EpineZ has tried to transfer
her face to marble. Great as Is his talent,
marble is too cold to interpret a sweet
expression, often touched by an imperious
1ght-ASiatic pride. mingled with savage
passion. The Princess has hardly had q
wish denied, and during the lifetime of
the Prince upon his wife he showered in
Vulnerable jewels. Among her heirlOoms
are pair of enormous rubies, surrounded
with diamonds. These have been in the
possession of the BibescOs for centuries
for Prince de BrancOyaD was the son of
Prince George Demeter BiDeSco, the last
Hospodar or reigning Prince of Wallachia,
and his mother was the last of the Bran
covans. From her, by decree of the EN-
perOr OF Austria, he took name and title.
Princess de Brancovan has three chill
dren, one son and two daughters. These
children resemble neither father nor
mother, and at one time they looked like
pretty Japanese dolls. So striking is the
tine that he is often called the "Mikado."
Princess de Brancovan is a friend to
everything artistic. but as a musician she
has no superior. When at the piano she
is as one inspired. aud often plays duets
with her sister-in-law. Princess Alexandra
BIbescO, another wonderful musician.
Princess Bibesco lives in the Boulevard de
Courceles, and frequently gives musical
entertainments. Her home also is filled
with souvenirs brought from the Wallach-
ian palace.
Princess de Brancovan has another
brother and sister-in-law, Prince and
Princess George Bibesco. Prince George
Is foreign correspondent of the French
Institute academy Of Naval aad Political
Science). Prince George has served
France both by pen and sword. He dis
tingushed himself in the Mexican and
Franco-Prussian wars. and now his gun is
reserved for sport and his sword for the
fencing-room. He has friends every
where. and is reproached only for his long
absences from Paris.
BARONESS ALTHEA SALVADOR.
Paris, Dec. q, 1893.
CHINESE REGISTRATION.