The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-08
A PAINTING OF VICTORIA.
Gift From the Queen Now Owned
by a Savannah Lady.


Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, No. 90 Hall
street, east, IS the owner Of a large oil
painting Of Queen Victoria. The picture is
part Of a legacy left her some years since
by the late Miss Lawrence, one Of whose
heirs she was.
The picture and a number Of others were
inherited by Miss Lawrence from her SIS
ter, Mrs. Luce, the widow OF 4. 3. Luce.
the well-known proprietor Of the Marshall
house, in the halcyon days Of that hotel.
Exactly how the picture came into pos
session Of Mr.. Luce is not known, but it
is supposed that il was presented TO him
by one of the heirs of its original owner,
who was for a long time a guest of the
Marshall house
The picture represents the queen as a
young woman, and is painted in her regal
robes. Its history brings back occur
rences Of years ago. and also the days of
the Crlmean war. It was originally the
property Of the late Anthony Barclay,
Esq, and tradition says it was presented
70 MIN by Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
Mr. Barclay was a subject of the queen.
lie was the British commissioner to settle
the boundaries between the United States
ana Canada, and afterwards British con-
sui at New York. While occupying the
New York newspapers for completely in
violating the neutrality laws, in permitting
the enlistment Of soldiers in this country
for service in the British army, England
at that time being at war with Russia.
ms was the war in the Crimea, in which
England, France and Sardinia made COM
mon cause with Turkey against Russia.
1t was difficult for the people of Savan-
nan IN those days to realize that the mild
ana elegant hammered Mr.. Barclay who
was supposed to live on his plantation on
the Ogeechee when he was not in Sayan-
nan, was the British consul, who it was
alleged, was causing the diplomats of two
countries so much trouble, and threatened
to involve two nations in war However
no one who knew Mr.. Barclay believed
tnat ne would be a party to the violation
OF any law, local state or international
Ihough for fifty years a resident of this
state 1t might be said a citizen, because
ne was active in everything identified with
ITS progress, and that of the city of Savan-
nah Mr.. Barclay was born and died a
British subject. He was very wealthy
put there is nothing in Savannah or vi
clhlty now that represents his property
ana none of his family are identified with
TINS locality save several great grand
chlidren, who are large property owners
Dy inheritance from another family, but
they do not reside here
Mr.. Barclays plantation, Rocking
man, on the Ogeechee river, where he
otten entertained distinguished visitors.
ana where his family resided, is owned by
others, and the old manor, noted for it's
hospitable boards, passed away in flames
in the days of Sherman's ..NTarcb re W.
Sea-" ~ 'Ai0
The picture in Mrs. Thompson's posses-
sion was doubtless, what it is said to be.
present from Queen Victoria to an ever
iaithtul subject, whose ability and MANY
virtues made him one Of her majesty's best
representatives. He was no less a Geor-
gan because he was an Englishman, and
,oaEahhdh OF the olden time looked up to
him as a gentleman of the old school dio-
nlned' without pomposity and public
spirited without ostentation.