The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-06-22
LIPTON's ENGLISH HOME.
The WouId-Be Cup Litter Lives in
Luxury, Surrounded by Artistic
Things.


From an Exchange.
1t is just outside of London-a half
hours run or so with his auto flyer
that Sir Thomas Upton has located
himself in one of the most charming
country seats in all England. AS yet
only part of Southgate has been in
Vaded by the builder of the modern
house. and although it is less than tif7
teen miles from the city there can stu
be found the village green, with It's
old-tme tavern, rows of majestic oak
| trees shading the lanes which answer
| for its streets True, when the rall-
| road came New Southgate, as it IS call
| ed, was built up about the station with
| it's rows of stone houses designed III
| imitation of London homes 1t repre-
| sents the modernized British commun1-
| ty mile away however, Old ,'outh-
| gate is so far apart from 1t that years
| will probably elapse before 1t is con-
yerted from hamlet into town OF
to-day. Hamlet is perhaps the best title
for it, as it is made up principally
of dainty villas and neat cottages, and
on It's outskirts are dozen or. so
country seats, among which~Osidge is
conspicuous. The visitor, as he strolls
along the quiet streets, momentartly
expects to hear the sound of the horn
u
the door of the Cherry Tree Inn. the
coach has passed away, but the red
coats of the hunters and the fitting
black and white of the hound pack are
frequently sect as they mount the
hedges OF. go full cry along the road
itself at times. ....t s.~ in,
Not infreduently do the hunters is
sue from the gates of Osdige, for Sir
Thomas is very fond of following the
dogs. His stables contain from twenty
five to thirty horses at all times. Sew
eral are excellent cross-country
mounts. American as well as English
breeds are represented. A fayorite
hunter is fine black, mare foaled in
Kentucky's fine grass pastures. She IS
almost a perfect animal and can clear
a six-foot hedge with ease From the
next stall the groom, brings out a jump
er bought from the former Prince of
Wales. stud and a prize winner at sew
eral of the horse shows. of last year.
He is a noble bay, gentle as a kitten
and possessing wonderful speed and
endurance. The stables also contain
pair of coachers from the former Prices
stables, which cost Sir Thomas about
81, 900. They are attached to his Amer
lean coupe when he makes his bache-
lor calls.
Every one who reads knows that the
master of Osidge is what might be
called an all-around sportsman. A
ramble through the house itself is an
indication of his tastes, although he is
anything but the hunting squire" so
familiar to the readers of the English
novel. His lounging-room is not lit
tered with ashes, Walking sticks, pipes
and glasses, but indicates the refined
taste of it's owner. In one corner is
the private, telephone which connects
him with his London offices. In. an
nfh 10 ~ a ~
These are the only signs that he is a
business man, for the walls are deco
rated with hunting scenes, both IN oils
and water colors-the work of some
of the most noted modern artists Usu-
ally his favorite fowling piece leans
against one wall. while coach whips
and crops are also noticeable. One
side of the room is nearly filled With
library which comprises not only
works by Kipling and Doyle and other
authors Of to-day, but the standard
English poets, while the names of Sew
eral American writers are also con-
spicuous.
Sir Thomas evidently r.. appreciates
luxurious surroundings. This is shown
by the furniture and decorations of
the drawing-room, dining-roonn, and
even the various chambers, There are
few of England's stately mansions
which are more artistica1ly decorated
or more, luxuriously furnished, al
| though 1t is one of the smaller coun-
| try seats of the island. The art CEN
| tiers of the continent have been search
| ed for paintings, bric-a- brac, and stat
| uary to adorn the interior. while most
of the furniture is of mahogany carved
in attractive antique design. Wander
| ing through the various departments
one would imagine that over this home
presided woman of taste. for here
rand there the evidence of feminine
ideas is conspicuous. AS a matter of
| fact, however, the master of Osidge
| has collected most of its ornaments
during his travels, and the furnishings
| and decorations were according to his
| own ideas.
The ground embrace about $50 acres.
and considerable portion of this is de-
voted to the raising of grain vegetables
! and hay for the horses; but one of the
best golf links in Great Britain has
! been laid off, while, the grounds I'M
! mediately around the mansion have
! been treated by an expert Landscape
! gardener. From both the front and
! rear porches stretch away broad lawns,
! bordered with flower beds and shrub
berry, While statuary and vases con-
| tanning Towering. plants enhance the
effect. The owner has included some
American ideas In beautifying the
| grounds, and they do not. have the
primness which IS SO often noted in
England, although they are kept in
! perfect condition. But a few steps from
the house Itself are the hot HOUSES
/ four in nImber-where not only vege-
| tables but flowers for winter decoration
are raised in abundance. Over an acre
is also devoted to what is called the
summer flower garden, where can be
| seen not only English. but American
/ blooms developed almost TO perfection
| by the expert horticulturist who is in
charge
Since the era Of the automobile. Sir
| Thomas has used his touring car and
| runabout in going TO and from busihAss
over the smooth highway which ex-
tends from Southgate TO London. Os-
! idge however, IS only one OF his coun-
| try seats. IL may seem strange that
/ he has game preserve within TWEEN
/ ~ miles OF the city where even the
stag can be hunted, but this is a fact.
\ such Is the life which Sir Thomas on
I Joys during his leisure moments ashore
/ While he ls A world traveller and rs "a
/ miliar with every part OF Great Brit
/ ain. the quiet surroundings 81 Soutn-
I gate suit his taste Although his naine
| has been associated with several titled
/ womrn who lave been mentioned as
I The future mistressef 0f OsidRe. as yet
/ he d free. ana. according tO be friends
\ promises to remain bachelor for fhe
feft ~ bic days This fact however
q does not bar fIn nufTHn frnm rIslfInn