Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-23
CARLYLE MUSEUM AT CHELSEA.
The Effort to Restore to the House OF
the Sage Its Historic Interior.

The Effort to Restore to the House OF
the Sage Its Historic Interior.
From the London Times.
The purchase of Carlyle's house, "a
| Cheyne Row, Chelsea. has been completed.
and the house will henceforward be open
to public inspection. 1t was wisely de-
termined that no formal ceremony should
be held, as the place does not readily lend
itself to a public celebration, and no time
could be less suitable for such a purpose
| than the period Of general election. It
may be, perhaps. thought desirable to
honor Carlyle's memory on the actual CEN
tenary of his birth, December f. but that is
a matter for future consideration. 1t is at
least satisfactory to feel assured that the
actual house in which the great writer
lived for the long period of forty-seven
years will be preserved almost exactly as
1t was on the day of his death, and will
remain as a historic remnant of Old Chel-
sea. when the adjoining houses shall have
made way for more sumptuous habitations.
The work has been taken in hand by
large committee, of which the executive
members are Mr.. Leslie Stephen, DR.. Gar
nett, Mr.. Poultney Bigelow, Mr.. Henry J.
Gibbs, Mr.. Robert Hovenden, Mr.. G. A.
Lumsden, Mr.. A. c. Miller, DR.. Eugene
Oswald. Mr.. G. W. Smalley, Mr.. B. F.
Stevens honorable treasurer), Mr.. H. S.
Welcome, Mr.. c. N. Williamson and Mr..
Reginald Blunt who has been interchangeable
in his iabors honorable secretary.
Messrs. Lee and Pemberton, the solicitors.
have exhibited more than professional zeal
in overcoming legal difficulties, though it
still remains to vest the property in per-
manent trustees, and to consider in what
form this quaint old house. with its literary
associations, may be preserved as public
possession for all time. Fortunately the
building, which dates from the beginning
of last century, is honestly and substan-
TALLY built, add with reasonable attention
to repairs will outlive many a more pre-
tentious structure of later date.
The price of the freehold was FL. $50, and
the vendor generously contributed f1O0 for
the purposes of the trust 1t is hardly
necessary to say that no endeavor has been
spared to make 1t as like possible TO
what it was when Mr.. and Mrs. Carlyle
lived in it. There are a good many ar
ticles of the old furniture in the rooms
tables and chairs, the sofa which stood
in Carlyle's BEDROOM his old-fashioned
bedstead and curtains, his washstand and
dressing table. his chest of drawers and his
bookshelves-mostly as well constructed as
the house itself, and worthy of the sturdy
character OF its former owner. There are
also some pieces of old willow china
Carlyle's hat and walking stick, and other
personal memorials. On the drawing room
walls which are repapered exactly as they
were In the philosophers lifetime, hang
two colored sketches of Carlyle. There is
also little drawing sent by Mrs. Alex
ander Carlyle of Kate Stirling and other
memorials happily preserved are a screen
In Carlyle's study, a little bracket, the
handiwork Of Mrs Carlyle, and some
candlesticks. The old-fashoned dining room
crate was recovered after many inquiries
from successive owners; but the trustees
have been unable to bring back the old
steel crate Of the drawing room. Old WIN
dows have been replaced with holdings
renrOductiOn Of ha Il
ings. and the work of restoration through
out has been done in a reverent and con-
servative spirit. 1t is hoped that by de-
grees many articles now scattered may
find their way back to their old home and
that In time the old house may be a
unique instance in London of the preser-
yation of the actual surroundings of an IL
lustrious man of letters. The bulk of Car
lyle's library is fortunately preserved, and
there now stand visible shelves contain
ing his Annual Register" .Coxe's House
and other of Carlyles books which will
hereafter. with all their copious annota-
lions, be open to public view.
The committee. however, still has to re-
greet that the, response to the appeal for
funds has not been entirely satisfactory
The total amount contributed is f2O33, Of
which fl,s44 has been already expended.
Against the available balance Ct ESQ at
Messrs. Coutts & Co.'S there is an estimat-
ed liability of f245 for repairs, so that
there is a present deficit of ESQ., A promise
OF ~ guineas has been made to cancel this
DEBT SO soon as the remaining f35 has
been subscribed. A fund will also be neces-
sary to provide for the maintenance of the
house, and it is hoped that total of c., 800
VIII ultimately be raised. Thus another
LOO will be required to place the trust on
permanent basis. In the unavoida ole de-
lay arising from legal and other difficult
ties which have still to be surmounted.
temporary arrangements have been made
andefn the meantime charge of Is. will
be made for the admission of each visitor
The committee expresses its regret at the
death OF many supporters of the move
ment notably Mr.. Huxley and Mrs Alex
ander CARLYLE (Carlyles niece, from the
latter of whom almost all the furnishings
now in the house were received The com
mtttee concludes its report with the ex-
preston of a hope that every year will
bring an increasing number of visitors to
testify their reverence for one of the most
illustrious men of the century.