New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-12
AN ITALIAN VILLA.
QUEEN MARGHERITA's PROSPECTIVE HOME
AN IDEAL SPOT.

AN IDEAL SPOT.
Villa Malta, which is announced the pros
pective home of the Dowager Queen Margherita
where she will probably spend the greater part Of
each year. originally possession OF the royal
family OF Bavaria II has been transformed and
beautihed by the taste and lavish expenditure of
Russian nobeman and one who has not had
the privilege OF seeing more OF the Villa Malta
IS visible through the secluded entrance IN the
Via Porta P.acfana imagine its extent COM
pleteness and beauty.
The grounds entirely sheltered from public
view by high ivy covered walls and by hedges OF
roses. Yet from terraces built each floor all
around the house and still! more from the tower
the whole OF Rome. :he whole of he Campagna
the Albine and Sabine Hills. and even the sea are
visible. The gardens. nearly three acres in extent
planted with gigantic palms. bamboos, orange
and mandarin trees hut their chief feature is the
profusion OF climbing roses of which there are
than fifteen hun lreG varieties At every
angle OF the villa large pillars OF climbing roses
ascend around iron support to the roof From
the month % May until the middle OF July the
whole place is q centre Of color and fragrance
At the entrance stands a porter's lodge from
which circuitoUs carriage drive leads under PAIN
orange and pomegranate trees 10 the chief gate
This opens into a comparatively narrow entrance
hall, from which massive marble doorway leads
into huge hall somewhat similar In shape ana
style TO those existing in English EhZaoethan
houses. But manor house possesses such a
mantelpiece In massive sculptured marble as the
one which Count Bohrinski. the former owner.
transported from the Palaszo Attempts and placed
TO the left OF the doorway.
The floor repeats in polished marbles the scheme
OF the Italian Renaissance ceiling. which possesses
the popularity OF being adjustable TO any height
preferred by the occupant OF the villa, an IN
genious mechanism in the allowing 1t 10 be
raised or lowered at Will
Opposite the doorway staircase of English de
sign and construction, made of solid polished wal
nut, starts and runs right angles round part
OF the hall to the gallery above. The space under
the staircase is filled with old Dutch and Italian,
cabinets in perfect preservation containing choice
collections of old NaDkn blue and Deltt ware
ent tai carpets hu the spaces between the ceotnets
few choice pictures Ivy old masters, lnla!d 'ab.e7
and furniture of various designs complete the
decoration OF the hall, which IS Eghi"d bF "id'
bay windows looking ard tho garden
Above the hall is Il gallery richly furnished ahi
and decora ted with striking collection Of orr
entail weapons and with bookcases mostly OF ca
Florentine workmanship. To the LEFT is me gun
room hung with chintz and decorated with old
English prints. Beyond the gunroom stretches a
vast salon. Of which each piece OF furniture IS IN
itself work OF The cbif7ney piece. in sculpt-
ured marble. is reproduction of the famous orig
inal In the Doge's Palace az Venice.
A word must he said of the dining room which
cverlooks the main entrance to the villa. The
are hung with tan coIored piEskin on which are
fixed choice plates OF HIspanO Moorish and ORR
enta! manufacture. The ceiling terminates in a
fr!eze inlall with platos Of old Glue Nankin The
floors throughout the villa. when not OF marble.
are made OF matoca tiles OF various designs.