The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-16

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S THE AMERICAN CHATELAINE y /
& y y OF EAST0N LODGE PARK. +
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hunters than those in Mr.. Kings sta
bles. The stables are the finest I have
ever seen, and have inspected those
of royalty. The great courtyard,
around which are ranged the vilIalike
buildings that accommodate the horses
belonging to Mr. King, is always spot
lessly covered with sand A fountain
springs up in the center of the yard
Inside, the stables are divided into diff
ferent compartments. each in charge of
its corps of stablemen. On Sundays
the horses are dressed" for inspec-
ton. tails and names being neatly plait-
ed after the horses have been cleaned
until their coats shine like satin The
plaits are tied up with bright ribbons,
and bands Of red flannel ornamented
with wheat heads are hung across the
stalls. The tiled floors are immaculate
" neat, and the sand of the courtyard
is decorated with designs sketched by
a slkillful stableman. The force is ar
rayed in its best and ready to show the
20 equine charges to the ladies and gen
tlemen who On Sunday morning usual
" enjoy look over the stables.
The beautiful chatelaine of Easton
Lodge Is very hospitable. 1t is seldom
that there are no guests in. the house.
In the season it is no unusual thing for
a shooting party Of 100 persons to be
entertained at one timer Fully $50
~--o~S
inconvenience. The machinery of the
household moves like c1ockwork. For
instance, If a large party is to be invit-
ed, Mrs. King summons her manager
whose charge also includes the town
house in London and a handsome house
and splendid private racing stable at
Newmarket. The hostess tells the man
ager, who is man of culture accus-
toned to the usages of polite society,
just how many people she expects and
how long they viii stay. He PREPARES
the programme for their entertainment
and submits it to the hostess who
makes such changes as suits her pleas
ure. The manager in turn consuIts
with the butler and the housekeeper
who at Easton Lodge, as at all English
country houses, is quite a parsonage.
and they arrange for the lodging and
feeding of the guests. The head of the
stables is instructed how many guests
he will be required to convey to and
from the station and informed IN re-
gard to such of the programme as re-
lates to his department. In the house
the butler confers with the chef. who
passes his orders along to the heads Of
the meat, pastry and vegetable kitch-
ems as well as to the dairy. The Gu
linary department is as complete as
that of a large hotel.
One wing of Easten Lodge was built
by the Countess of Warwick for her
own occupancy. It was so arranged as
to utilize every available ray of sun
shine and is quite an immense place in
itself This wing Mrs. King has devot-
ed to the use of her five children-three
girls and two boys. One of the latter is
now at Elton, but the rest of the chill
dren are at home. For their education
there are resident governesses and
masters, including special French and
German teachers and a professor of
music. Each child has its own apart
ment, near that of its governess- The
wing contains the children's music
room, the gymnasium, classroom
schoolroom, playroom--in short, every
thing that will add to the comfort and
well being OF the young people. The