New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-11
HATFIELD HOUSE.
LORD sAILsBURYs RESIDENCE RICH
IN PICTURESQUE HISTORICAL
ASSOCIATIONS. >
From The Scotsman.

a familiar landmark as the express runs
through the station hearing that name. There
are few moro characteristic vignettes OF Engilsh
Landscape than this glimpse Of Jacobean arch-
lecture standing well above the picturesque
town lying within the hollow. framed in by its
splendid parish church tower and Spire.
garden party given at Hatfield is always felt by
London society to be n satisfactory finish 70 the
routine round Of social duties performed In a
spirit Of conscientious erdeaYor which Is only
to be met with where sOCiety Is searching hlgn
and low for amusement As the special trains
ruin into the station. a sharp eye and an exact
knowledge Of locality are needed 10 get even
CLINT Of the warm red walls. visible in winter.
but so completely concealed in the high noon OF
July days by the masses OF foliage which fold
the park in t'.cir cool. deep shadows. No long
distance has to be traversed before the house.
built by Robert Cecil. the son Of EliZabeth's
Minister and himself the chief adviser OF James
1. comes into view.
The old route TO tho house was through the
village street, Using as it approaches the height
on which Hatfield stands into 4 steep ACTIVITY.
The road has the advantage Of passing under
the gateway. and by the only remaining portion
Of the Palace of the Bishops Of Ely. which was
practically the prison. house OF the Princess ElZ-
.,tcth. ono grim recollection of her residence
In Hatfield. virtually prisoner Of her sister
Queen Mary meets the eve OF every one passing
the banqueting hall Of the old palace. now the
stables OF the house. Never was stud more
palataly lodged. beneath high and beautiful
oak ceiling lighted by mullioned windows filled
with the most delicate tracery, and, without, the
briCkHoik OF thdt color Wnlcn no modern DITCH
field can ever produce, crowned by stacks or
twisted chiUucys and clothed with a wealth of
ivy. Above al rises the relic referred 10. spike
PLACED on the highest ridge Of roof. on which IN
a letter Il Elizabeth. Mary minated her pleas
ing intention or placing t.i!zabeths head under
certain stated ,Ou'inCences.
Il Is not an unnatural subject ~ speculation
whether this grim experience crossed EliZabcth's
memory when she doomed a fairer queen than
herself to the headsmans block. Not far from
The house. ana yet within sisht ~ the grizzly
spike. stands "Elizahcth's oak" beneath which.
SO tradition runs. she was seated one Noyern-
her eve reading her Graoh Testament. That II
is possible 1, go the text Il Il Crock Testament
az that date and time OF day was personally
proved By Arthur Stanley. dean ~ Westminster.
the keen guar Liam Of all picturesque historical
traditions So seated. and so reading her eyes
we're suddenly lifted IN the London road. along
which 81. -Tc.iycd horscruau riding one
horse voutro torre reached her side. the rider
Nung himself on the saddle. and on his knees
told h~r that the reign 81 blood WAS over. and
e1.uted her = queen OF England.
Hatfield swGrUs with tokens OF her residence
and hor friendship with that Prime Minister
Whos, counsel had so much 20 do with the glory
of her reign. In the library is her priceless
corrcsppudeuce with Hurleigh. on the great
carved starcase hangs the lie-size portrait ~
her white hors". IN which she rode rs she re-
viewed the militia bands summoned TO repel
Spain. In a glass case lie her large faded straw
garden hat and yellow open -wOrH"d silk stock
ines. lying In the same cabinet IS tho pen with
IS hich the Treaty ~ Berlin was signed. The
aTuory Is huus with suits ~ armor presented
by her 10 Lord Eurleigh after the Armada vas
drstros. ID
Tho portraits which are collected here Of her
are IA" most Interesting which exist In the
marble hail The hangucting hall ~ the present
hote. harrs ,he portraits - her Gs Diana. with
h-r huut~.ss BOW ard hound. in another room
is the "I'y 90 dU1 Ears" picture. her rich dress
rcd with representations Il those members
- il. luIy. tn symbolic h-r quick VII. and
1i..r this Catering garment rises the pale