New-York tribune., 1896-10-18

the house Of CARLYLE and those Of numerous other
less distinguished persons. it is difficult TO under
stand why means cannot no taken 10 save from de-
struction house that is made famous as II were
not by any name illustrious in English history
but by hundreds OF them.
No 10 Downing Street has been the Official resi-
dence Of the Prime Minister of Great Britain since
the beginning Of the last century first occupan
OF that rank being Sir Robert Wapole. who IL de-
scribed by his brilliant Horace sitting IN
strange. unwonted fashion without speaking, and
with eyes axed Cor hour together. lost 20 the
jovial good which had secured the Hanoverian
succession" Among his successors al No. 10 Down
ing Street Lord North. the statesman TO whom
England is mainly indebted for that war Of inde-
pendenco that resulted in the loss OF tho American
colonies. II 10 a room az No 10 Downing Street
that the great Lord Chatham was carried after he
swooned in the House OF Lords during the memor
able debate or American affairs. and IT was there
too. that Pitt tho younger. the hcayen-born Minis
ter. mo made ii his constant residence. had his
heart broken by the first Napoleon. Fox lived there
and did Canning while the only occasion on
which Lord Nelson met the great Duke of Wei
lngton In the wai;ng-room drawing-room OF
No. 10 Downing Street. where both were waiting 70
see the Prime Minister Wellington. At that time only
Sir Arthur Wellesley. knew the celebrated Admiral
from his picture. Nelson. however. did not know
Sir Arthur but so struck with his conversation
that he stepped out Of the TO inquire who ne
might be.
Earl Grey made Downing Street his residence as
did also Mr. Gladstone and Lord Beaconsfield. while
Lord Melbourne. the great Sir Robert Peel Lord
Derby and Lord PslIncrs;on merely used IL as their
Offices.
From the days OF Sir Robert walpolc. however,
until those OF Lord Salisburys frs; Premiership.
No 10 Downing Street has always been the place OF
meeting OF the British ca binet The councils were
held in a room. OIL the ground floor, with large win
dows opening upon terrace looking INTO
large old d-fashiored garden. II was only when MI
t;ladstor. became Prime Minister and Included d
larger number OF sia'eTmen in his Cabinet than
had until that time been customary that the meet
lny- were transferred larger room upstairs.
looking out on the so-called Horse Guards Parac"
The outward appearance Of the house IL very
r,la,n and that part which faces Downing street
conveys no idea OF size of the wing behind. which
contains several magnificent r"cHption-roorns. one
of them adorned with series OF tne portraits o' a'l
no former official occupants or the mouse - q, .
Lord Salisbury mas been Ir'fnr HlliIht'T 'l'
has hoen in tho habit Of having the Cabinet mee,
AZ tho Foreign Office. where he makes ms oIncIil
headoiarters and his example was foIo""n LOT
,,me hv Lord Roseh.ry. although he ultimately re-
tone nd associations II may be Sdded that MI pIdu
stone. well number OF Ms p'eGec"sso,i = un ~
~. "a rden hy means OF the wicket gates I'm the wal
fronfing the Horse GUARDS ParaGe, 50 as 10 a. -.
The crowd Of people invariably waiting arouiu ths
T,ouninc Street entrance. Downing Strret, "hrr
George Downing. who was secretary or N" f'&"S 49,
mr.. &, 1850 and FIST became the property Oh th'
Croun through the confscation 81 the I"ssessi9ns
~ ord Iitchfield. Master OF the Horse 10 klns
yanns ~ whom he elected to follow into cNiie
sooner fhan 70 serve Kins william ana queen MARY
"of glorious memory