Washington sentinel., 1898-01-29
The Lord Chancellor OF Ireland at
His Dublin Isesidenoe.
LondoN Korkd

Merrlon Square, the largest and
most fashionable square in Dublin,
is composed of really fine houses,
which before the Union were the
| property OF the Irish aristocracy,
by whom they were occupied as
town residences. Great lofty stTuc-
lures they are, built so substanti-
ally that the hand of Time has been
unable 10 leave any traces upon
them. AT the present moment they
are in as good preservation as they
were a century ago, when recep-
tions, crowded by members OF both
OF the Irish Houses OF Parliament,
were held in their great wainscoted
drawing rooms, or when, in lighter
vein, the flower OF the Irish nobil-
ity held high revel there. 1t is
in one of the largest OF these
houses, situated at about the centre
Of the north side of the square, that
Lord Ashbourne, the Lord Chan.
cellor Of Ireland, resides when in
Dublin, and it is a curious coinci-
dence that in this very square he
was born towards the end of the
"thirties."
The decoration OF the entrance
hall IN the Lord Chancellor's
house is very effective. The walls
are covered with swords, muskets,
pistols, blunderbusses, and other |
less civilized weapons, tastefully
arranged in different devices, many
being mounted on large shields oil
ebony. A splendid ten point stag's |
head and some minor similar
trophies are here and there dis
played. A couple Of handsome |
bronze statues, on oak pedestals, |
are sure to attract attention, and |
also the two tall old fashioned lamp /
stands which are placed in oppo-
site corners. On each side OF the
hall are long massive oak tables.
In the inner hall four dark mahog-
any doors are seen, the archItraves
Of which are formed of beautifully
carved Chippendale work. The
visitor also passes a very quaint
old Indian inlaid chest, in a per-
feet state Of preservation. The
grand staircase starts from the in
ner hall, and here the effect Of the
decoration is very fine, being most
ornate Italian stucco work, PAN
elled and garlanded, and picked
out, as the decorators say, in white,
the ground color employed being
pale yellow. At the top ofthe first
flight of stairs is a delightful aIcove
especially built by Lord Ash
bourne to receive the beautiful
white CarraTa marble statue of
Paolo and francesca da Rimini
which is placed there. tits an ex-
quisite specimen OF sculpture. and
highly priced by Lord Ashbourne,
who purchased 1t at the Milan Art
Exhibition in 1872. This arch,
with its statue and the richly dec.
Grated walls surrounding it, forms
a charming picture when viewed
from the drawing room corridor
close by. The doors opening off
the corridor are OF dark mahogany
wi h carved architraves, as do wn
stairs, and lead into two drawing
rooms. Here the ceilings are by
Adam: in one the scheme of color
is yellow and white, and in the
other pale blue and white are en-
ployed. One need hardly say that
the furniture is all in excellent
taste; and much old Irish furniture
Of the pre- Victorian period, En-
oire writing tables, old engravings,
and rare and beautiful ornaments
Will delight the connoisseur.
Lord Ashbourne is son of the
ate MIR. William Gibson, taxing
master in chancery, OF Merrion
Square, Dublin, Gaulstown, Meath,
Ind Rock Forest, Tipperary, by
lis first marriage. He was born
n Dublin on September 4, 1887,
Ind therefore has just completed
lis sixtieth year. AS lad he was
,ery delicate, and was sent to a
school at Cullagh-
more, Carlow, kept by the Rev. (
George Dawson. Before he was
eleven years Of age, however, his 4
PARENTS were obliged to bring him
lone owing to illness, and hence
Orth he was taught by tutors.
gradually his health improved, and
vhen he was between fifteen and
ixteen he was entered at Trinity
>ollege, Dublin, where, in 1858,
fter a distinguished undergradu-
tie career, he graduated first gold
nedallist in English history, Eng
sh literature and political science.
lie was the Shining light" of the \
Celebrated College Historical So
iety while an undergraduate, and 4
ot the least valued Of his college
istinctions are the three gold
ledals he won there for oratoTy,
istory and com position. Two
ears later, having "eaten his din
ers" in Kings Inn, Dublin, and
Inn, he was called to the
rish bar on the same day as Lord
ustice Fitzgibbon, and joined the
Circuit His great abil- =
les and hard work soon got him
practice. He was
specially fond of going on circuit. n
nd much enjoyed criminal bust.
ess, large amount OF which came
, him. Frequently he was en- z
loyed as counsel for the defence
l trials on capital charges. In
86S Lord Ashbourne married +
RANGES Marie Adelaide, the pres
Mt Lady Ashbourne, second
aughter OF Mr.. Henry Cope Col
IS, member of the Irish bar, and
1872 he became a Queens