New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-11
THE QUEEN AT FLORENCE.
TO DWELL IN THE ANCIENT VILLA OF
THE ANCIPRESSI

ouocn Victoria.s Continental outing will chiefly
be spent this year. as last at Florence She WIN
not return to the Villa Paimeri, however, out mas
selected a charming house the Montughi HILL
near Fiesole. known the villa fapDricot.''
but formerly as the villa OF the Anclpressi. IL IL
one of the Oldest houses on the hili' datihs ilon'
the fourteenth century. when 1t was owned by tie
famous Buoninsegni family. OF Florence Out II
has been greatly enlarged and adorned by It's pres
ent owner Count Fabbrlcottl. The villa stands
in a small but beautiful park This Is entered by
a small iron gate facing the villa, when STANDS
high above ii on a series of walled gardens WHICH
form the approach the house for the pedestrian
while the driver wind round by an easy l'0'''''
shaded by trees and adorned with gay "oWe''
The villa which Is built of white stone outiheu
with darker color. IS two-storied. ana surhoI"'eu
by 4 belvedere which will be the abode OF the
Queens Indian servants. The villa faces sou,"'
but the carriage entrance Is NJ the S'c' io '
whole south facade is occupied by giasS-'"o''S7'
loggia. a delicious spot In which TO take aite'"'o"
tea or lounge away idle hour. watching the sun
set or the play Of the lights In the city pelo"'
This Is entered from a long room, known as the
gallery which has been set aside for the queen
rcccpton-room. in the event or WISH from ioS'
personages. otherwise. the Queen Will i've ehtre'y
on the second floor which Is being prepared TOT hei
reception the furniture for both bed and sitting
room being sent from England, for Her Majesty
always likes to sleep in the same bed and write
at the same table she Is used to. Inc queen
bedroom IS that In the right-hand corner anu -
lighted by three windows two of which open on the
right side of the villa Adjoining the Queens pr-
vate rooms are the apartments reserved Tor frih-
cess Beatrice and for the ladies' waiting
Entering the villa from the left. vestlDu'e IS
traversed whence open the doors of the gallery and
whence also a covered courtyard is approached
which has been transformed into small sitting
room furnished In Oriental style. This. under or
binary circumstances. probably serves as SIMON
ing room The gallery, or saone. as 1t Is caAcu III
Italy occupies the whole front Of the house Az
presont II is furnished In a somewhat LOUD STYLE
bur no doubt the Queens upholsterers VIII temper
this gaudness in accordance with Her Majesty
taste Ceilings and walls are decorated Win
frcscoes Of no great artistic worth ana AIDING ny
their garish color TO the general glare OF the looi
on the ground floor IS. further the family dlhlhH-
ROOM OF carved walnut wood rest 10 the eye
vearied OF the crude cOors 1t meets elsewhere ms
will perhaps be reserved to Sir Henry Ponsonoy
use while the bard-room will probably be convert
81 into a bedroom. Everything In the VIA Is nrai't
rs rooms ana tnc '!u'st WI ,r . xou,sitn Old ric-
ures and precious works Of art harbored ny ' MA
PAmcr Nor is the garden part a. exSnSge r o;
II has been arranged thht frr MaJ'Sti ,','nS
,trrtage shall be able also INTO me gardens
of the adjoining villas In order To extend hcr drive
In these eardGns pans Hnr 80 ybSnr~ tho villa
took It's ancient name. All VIII be ready carry III
March and gladly viii Florence and the Floren-
tines once more greet England's Queen. and salute
the r0val standard 81 Great Britain as II waves
from The belvcIerc OF FabbricOttis villa.
II there is not much of artistic beauty IN the VIA
she is - dwell In. however. Her Majesty can ma
consolation near At hand. in he nelghboring VIVA
~ Mr. r Silbbcrt. This gentleman has devoted IN"
last thirty years 70 tho ACQUISITION 81 one OF tir
finest collections 81 modern times. and mas made
structural additions To- his villa from time 70 time
20 accommodate his ever growing multitude 81 arr
objects BrDcades costumes. sculpture. pictures,
bouterle- all these disposed In excellent taste
through an endless suite OF galleries but the nn"st
collection H. that ~ arms and armor. An enormous
armed equestrian figures attended by about
twice the number ~ foot-solders all mail
clad cap-h pied As the visitor gazcs down from
tho gallery on this highly realistic scene II + al
most inpossl hle avoid IN" conviction that one IS
watching 4 moving medieval procession or pa
eeantry Her Maiesty's engagements unfortunately
prevented her from sceing Mr.. Stihhrrts collection
last year but she Will doubtless IKE Il tn during
her coming visit 10 Florence.