Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-08-19
SPLENDID STAFFORD HOUSE.
Magnificent London Residence of the
Duke Of Sutherland.


Stafford house, which was the scene
of wonderful fete given in aid of the
National Life Boat association recent
ly, is entertainingly described by the
London Sketch of June 10. Stafford
house has been for so years the town
house of the dukes of Sutherland and
has been the scene of many notable
charity entertainments this month
Says the Sketch:
''The young duchess of Sutherland
is not only the most beautiful of Lon
don hostesses. but she may fairly
claim to be among the most phila1-
thropic, for. like her sister. the
countess of Warwick, she takes the
keenest interest in all that affects the
Wellbeing of the poor and needy.
Accordingly, Stafford house holds
nowadays very much the same posi-
ton as that once held by Grosvenor
house-that is to say, it is at once
both great social and a great philan-
thropic center. In this matter the
present duchess follows in the foot
steps of the late queens intimate
friend, the present dukes mother.
"The story goes that on one occa-
sion the late sovereign, when paying
visit to her much-loved friend, OBJ
served, I come from my house to
your palace London society, less
kindly than Queen Victoria, nick
named Stafford house Aunt Harriet's
cabin, owing to the then duchess en-
thusiastic admiration for Mrs. Beech
er-Stowe.
''The most remarkable feature of
Stafford house is the marble stair
case, which occupies a considerable
portion of the great hall of the man
sion. The double row of broad
marble steps, branching right and left
from the halfway landing, leads the
visitor to the gallery which runs
round three sides of the hall, and out
of which open the state reception
rooms, including the famous picture
gallery. Notable is a large double
glass door, never thrown open save
when the duke and duchess of Suth-
erland are receiving royal visitor or
on the occasion of marriage taking
place from Stafford house.
Every room in Stafford house IS
hung with one or more art treasures
of extreme pecuniary and artistic
! value. In the duchess own pretty
boudoir is an exquisite Correggio an /
the great picture gallery, over 1870
feet in length, contains perhaps the
finest private collection of paintings
in London and certainly the most
charming outlook, for from the higl
windows can be seen delightful
| glimpses of the Green Park, OF Buck
ingham palace and of st. James PARK.
In this noble apartment many dances
have taken place Of late years, for the
duchess of Sutherland has often given
balls for her nieces, of whom two, the
countess of Cromarty and Lady
Castlereagh, were both married froc1
Stafford house.
when in town the duke and Ouch
ess of Sutherland habitually use a
charming suite Of apartments situated
on the ground floor and opening out
on the charming, well-wooded garden.
In the dining-room hangs the famous
ful1-length portrait of the first duchess
of Sutherland and her eldest son,
Lord Stafford, as a child, and in the
ante-room is curious medallion of
Garibaldi, who during his visit to Eng
land stayed at Stafford house, some
notable receptions being given there
in his honor.
"The duchess of Sutherland, who IS
generally aided in doing the honors Of
her beautiful London home by one Of
her lovely sisters, Lady Warwick,
Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox, Lady
Westmorland and Lady Angela
Forbes, has often entertained royalty
at Stafford house. Herself write,
the duchess delights in the society Of
intellectual and literary people, AMI,
when. little more than a bride, she ac-
companied her husband on a tour
round the world. Accordingly, great