Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-07-19
OF ZEN AT ELORE\CE,

Queen Nicloria'S continental outing
will chiefly he spent this year. MS
nSL nj Florence, She viii not return
TO the Villa lalmrrj. howe ever, but has
selected a charming house on the
Montughi hill, near EirSolc. known
NOW as The VILLA tNhhrtrntti but for
mcrly rs the VILLA OF the AnripreSSi,
SAYS the New York Tribune, II is
one OF the oldest houses on the hill,
dating from the fourteenth century,
when 1t was owned by the famous
Ruon'nscgui family OF Florence; but 1t
has been greatly enlarged and adorned
by It's present owner Count FNhhi
cotti The villa stands In II small but
small iron gate facing the villa, which
stands high above II ON series of
walled gardens, which form the ap.
preach TO the house for the pedestrian
while the driver must wind round by
an easy incline, shaded by rare trees
aud adorned With gay flowers The
villa which is built of white stone
outlined with darker color. Is two
StorIrd and surmounted ny n hclvc
deere which will be the abode oc the
queens indian servants. The villa
faces south hut the carriage entrance
Is at the side, for the whole south
facade Is occupied by Il glass.Incloscd
lo@gIn, delicious spot In which to
take afternoon tea or lounge away
an idle hour, watching the sunset or
the play of the lights in the city be-
low. This is entered from long
room, known as the gallery. which
has been set aside for the queens re.
ception- room, In the event of 4 visit
from royal personages. Otherwise
the queen will live entirely on the
second floor. which Is being prepared
for her reception, the furniture for
both bed and sitting room being sent
out from England for her majesty
always likes to sleep In the same bed
and write Mt the same table she Is
used to. The queens bedroom tx ihat
in the right-hand corner and IL lighted
by three windows. two Of which open
on the right side OF the villa. Adjon.
ing the queens private rooms are the
apartments reserved for Princess Bea
trice and for the ladiesin waiting,
Entering the villa from the left, II
vestibulc Is trayersed whence open the
doors OF the gallery aud whence also
Il covered courtyard Is approached
which has been transformed into n
small sitting room furnished In orr
entail style. This, under ordinary cir
cumstanccs, probably serves az n
smoking room The gallery or salonc.
as II * called in Italy, occupies the
whole front of the house. AT present
Ii Is furnished In n somewhat loud
style, but no doubt the queens up.
holserers Will temper this gnudincss
in accordance with her majesty's taste,
Ceilings and walls are decorated with
fresc0cS OF no great artistic work,
and adding by their garish color to
the general glare of the room
On the ground floor Is, further the
family dining room Of carved walnut
wood II rest to the eye, wearlcd OF
the crude colors 1t meets elsewhere.
This will perhaps be reserved TO Sir
Henry Ponsomby's use. while the bill
lard room will probably be converted
into bedroom. Everything In the
villa il brand new, from the title Of
It's owner TO the furniture Of It's rooms,
and the queen will find nothing inside
the house to compensate for the ex-
quislte old pictures and precious works
Of art harbored by the villa Palmleri.
Nor IL the garden part AS extensive,
but II has been arranged that her ma
jesty's donkey carriage shall be able
10 20 also into the gardens Of the al.
joining Villas In order 10 extend her
drive In these gardens palms and
cactl flourish, tall and strong, as well
as the Expresses. whence the villa took
Its ancient name,
If there IN not much Of artistic beau,
~ In the villa she is 10 dwell IN, how
ever, her majesty can find consolation
near at hand In the neighborlng villa
Of Mr. +. Stibbert. This gentleman
has devoted the last thirty years to
the acquisition Of one Of the finest
collections Of modern tines and has
made structural additions to his villa
from time to time 10 accommodate his
eyer-growing multitude Of art objects.
Brocades, costumes, sculpture, pict-
ures. biJouterle these are disposed
In excellent taste through an endless
suite Of galleries: but the finest col.
lection In that Of arms and armor
An enormous baronial hall Is filled
with troop Of about twenty armed
pedestrian figures, attended by about
twice the number Of foot soldiers, all
mail.clad capable A the visitor
gazes down from the gallery on this
highly realistic scene, Il is almost i'm.
possible to avoid the conviction that