Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-11-07
ConSuelo Wants
Marlborough House.

4lAat aDvA ~ s. AAOhSN'
New York Journal
LONDON. October 2l.-There is a great
deal of very interesting news about the
MarIborough-Churchi which does not
see the Hght of publicity in any OF the
ENGLISH newspapers. You have heard that
both the Duchess Consuelo and the eX-
Duchess Lillian. now Lady Beresford, are
enciente This fact causes rapture I'm the
hearts of the relatives of both ladies' but
this Joy is particularly pronounced in the
Churchill family, because, were the young
Duke 10 die without an heir compiled
tions of very extraordinary nature would
ensue. should ne fail TO be 80 fortunate
as TO get son. it is likely that the Dukes
eldest sister. Lady Francis Gresley. and
Mr.. Winston Churchill would both contest
the right 10 the title and estates. Winston
Churchill is the eldest son of the late Lord
Randolph Churchill. He IS "a subaltern i'm
the Fourth Hussars and the hero of
curious episode during the early part of
the Cuban rebellion, for which'he had TO
give an account TO the British War De-
partment.
There is q still further complication
which remains even i'm the event of son
being born TO the Duke. He has Inherited
Blenheim Palace and the Dukedom Of
Marlborough through the female line. He
is the descendant Of the second daughter
of the first Duke of Marlborough. who
married Lord Sunderland. whose son be-
came Duke Of Marlborough ON The death
of his aunt. the Countess Of Godolphin.
Further. there is general sense of inse-
curity about the patents by which the
FIRST Duke was created.
English society has also been much per-
turbed of late with regard TO a rumor that
the Young Duchess Of Marlborough has
seq her heart upon the regaininS Of Mari
borough House for the Marlborough fam
lily.
The establishment has a strange history.
Ii is a somewhat unlovely building ex-
ternally. Of red brick with gray stone
dressings. and stands in Pail Mall over
looking 81. James's Palace. II was de-
signed by Sir Christopher Wren, and is
one Of the least noteworthy. from the ar
cbitecturaI point OF view of any building
with which the name Of the greatdesigner
Is associated Built for the celebrated
Duke of Marlborough In the reign Of Queen
Anne. II cost originally $4,000. The
present upper story OF the state rooms
were added by tho third Duke. The
foundation stone. dated l7o9, can stin be
seen I'm the basement The great Duke
and his wife. the indomitahle Sarah.
lived and died there. the latter surviving
her husband for twenty years OF the
Duchess many extraordinary stories are
stin told occasionally. OF the King she
was I'm the habit Of talking as cher neigh
Dol. George from across the way when
His ROYAL Highness was in residence at
~ James's Palace. on one occasion Her
Crace presented two rat does 10 the Lord
Mayor and one each 20 the Sherihs Of the
CITY Of London. A few days afterward
these officials called ~ Marlborough House
n return thanks for the presents. and 10
tbeir great establishment they were re-
ceived bv the Duchess sitting IN In bed.
Under successive crown leases. which
were renewed for varying terms Of years
the Dukes of MARLBOROUGH held Marlbor-
ourh House tin 1877 The existing crown
lease had then eighteen years 10 run. and
FOR tho residue of this term the executors
NJ the then late Duke Of Marlborough. re-
trzinr that It was impossible to maintain
the establishment. with the concurrence
~ the trustee FOR the creditors. the con-
sont of the then Duke. and under the di-
-ection OF the Court az Chancery suolet
the house and premises to His Majesty
the King or Beleians then Prince Leopold
George Friedrich OF SaXe-Coburg-Saal-
field
on behalf OF the MARLBOROUGH family it
Is contendcd that when the lease and sub
lease were surrendered to the crown on
their termination i'm July OF 1895. at which
time there was a right Of renewal this
right ~ renewal was not absolutely sur
rendered. although fresh lease was not
then taken up This Il will he noticed. IS
the point upon which the entire matter
rests and II the contention is capable Of
substantiation there win be but few re-
naming difficulties to overcome before the
Young Duchess may ind her fondest hope
realized and AIariborourh House restored
10 the Narlborouchs.
Tra further history OF MARLBOROUGH
House is Of great interest. on the eNpirF
OF the crown leases. possession Of the
mansion was taken by Queen Adelaide un-
der the authority Of letters patent issued
I'm lNc bv William ". granting the house
and premises TO or FOR the use of the
Queen II she survived the King so that
she mt-ht enjoy the same immediately
after his decesse FOR her natural life. and
10 her representatives for one year after
her aeceaso." Following the death OF
Queen Adelaide an 1872 the lower rooms
we're allowed by Queen Victoria 10 he
used for the exhibition OF a collection OF
pietures which were presented to the ma
ton by Robert Vernon. The upper rooms
were occupied 10y the then newly inapgu-
rated Government School of Desisn.
which has since become the Science and
Art Department.
Marlborough House was settled upon