The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-09
From the London Sketch.

f E IGHBURY," Birmingham, In "N1 spite of the fact that it has
 been described as little more than a suburban villa, may yet claim to be one of the most noted houses in the Kingdom, for 1t is the country home or Joseph Chamberlain and his popular American wife. As most people are aware the colonial secretary spent portion or his early life at Highbury, that old-worio suburb of London which forms a part of Isington; accordingly, when MT Chamberlain bought the charming little estate in Moor Green which Is within about ten minutes quick driving from the center of Birmingham. he elected to give 1t the name of the London district where his happy and busy youth had been spent.
 "Hlghbury," which was built under the personal supervision of it's present fa- nous owner, might well claim compari- son with many more pretentious dwell- ings It is a commodious and, indeed a beautiful house, the large entrance hall which has been the scene of many hos pitable gatherings. occupying the whole center of the mansion, and giving access to the spacious drawing rooms, MT. Chamberlain's own study, the dining room. and, by means of broad oak staircase, to the upper portion of the house On the occasions when Mrs. Cham berlain asks the youth and beauty of Bir- mingham to a dance-and at one time this was quite frequent occurrence the hall becomes an admirable ball room, the more so that the oak floor Is actually laid on India rubber.
 MT Chamberlains own special sane tuna room likely to acquire historic in- terest in coming years, for 1t Is there that the colonial secretary manages to get through a great deal of his heaviest and most responsible work-is a library as well as a work room. As the master of "Hghbury" is a thorough English man, and a believer in the virtues of Brit ish oak, his study is essentially an oak room, his desk, his table and his chair being also of that stoutest and toughest of woods A glance round the book shelves makes it clear that the great statesman Is an ardent historian, for to
 
 value. be it old or new, ends by finding its way.
 Many interesting and beautiful works of art and souvenirs of your hosts long and strenuous life are scattered about his roomy and commodious country home It Is easy to see that MT. Chamberlain has always been an intelligent art patron. of r{n Iaa does not apparently care for the old mas ters, but at "Highbury'' may be seen works century particularly beautiful being the unique collection of David Coxes.
 Before entering into the question of the world-famous orchid houses and MT. and Mrs. Chamberlain's beautiful gardens-for 1t is quite a mistake to suppose that the colonial secretary cares only for those flowers which are grown under glass-a word may be said concerning the farm, to which the postmaster general devotes good deal of leisure. MT. Austen's s Dairy Farm as 1t is called in Brming- ham, Is entirely the creation of MT. Joseph Chamberlain's eldest son. There Is lux uriously installed a beautiful herd of jer- seys, and there are few model dairies in the kingdom which can compare with that situated so near to the great city which has reason to be proud of the Chamber lain family
 visitors who are paying first visit to "Highbury" are very much interested in the wonderful conservatories or winter gardens, which cover a great space or ground and which are actually reached directly from Mrs. Chamberlain larger drawing room. The first Is a delightful winter garden; there the colonial secre- tary and his family spend much Of their time and often adjourn after dinner. Ten glass houses are devoted to orchids only, and according to his head gardener Mir. Chamberlain can tell you, without a mo- ment's hesitation, the name and also the distinctive feature of each one of his orchid plants With the exception of the beautiful winter garden. and of the cen- tral corridor out of which the conserva- tories even, each and all of the orchid hothouses are small, as are also those devoted to the culture of forced roses of carnations and of gardenias. Yet am other fov'e4 in which the master of .Highbury' takes rather special interest is the begonia, and a stroll with him through the begonia house Is an interest," ing experience to any of those who pursue the now fashionable hobby of gardening
 The grounds of "IIighbury' may al- most be said to be equally charming in winter and in summer When the lake Is frozen over it is an ideal place for skat- ing and even during the, sharpest wealth CT MT. Austen Chamberlain and his brother enjoy nothing more than stroll In the park. In summer the gardens are vision of loveliness, the rosery being.