New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-29
DORCHESTER HOUSE.
THE american ambassadors Resi-
dence TN LondOn-Art Treasures.
London. Nav II,

London. May II.
There have been many premature reports re-
snectfng the incoming American Ambassadors
Tondon residence Brook House. Spencer
House, Mr. Choate's present residence, and other
houses have been mentioned, and finally Dor
chester House. Mr.. Carter Of the American
Embassy. who has been acting for Mr.. Reid,
has received several offers and looked at half
A., dozen houses; but his negotiations have virtu-
,r,, been confined to the finest and most suit
able Of these Observation-Disclosures House The
erreenent has not yet been signed, but as the
,oints still under discussion are OF minor i'm
,ortance relating TO the conditions OF terminate
,nr the tenancy, it is safe to assume that the
orrangements will be completed before Mr..
reid sails from New-York. and that on his ar
rival in London he Will drive at once from the
e.sfion 10 Dorchester House. Leases of this
FIND are complex, and have to be drawn UP at
embassies, after consultation with the imperial
and local authorities. AS the British Aulbas-
sador in Washington IS relieved from taxation.
an approach TO reciprocity is made in London
yhen The American Ambassador takes a house.
A portion of the local rates is relaxed by ar
rangement between the imperial government
and the Borough Council: and the remainder
alone is levied against the property while it IS
occupied by the Ambassador. 1t is not re-
uarkabIe that much correspondence and pro-
longed negotiations have been necessary and
that Nr. Carter is not yet prepared to announce
that the agreement has been completed. The
printed estimates Of the rental to be paid for
Dorchester House are wild guesses. Neither
Captain Holford Mr. Carter has any inten-
ton Of satisfying public curiosity this point.
Dorchester House is one Of the half dozen
finest private residences IN London, the others
being Stafford House, Grosvenor House. Bridge
House and Apsley House. It stands in Park
Lane nearly opposite Stanhope Gate, and is a
modern structure, Captain Holford's father
having built # about fifty years ago. The ia
cade approached from the Deanery Crescent
leading toward HiIl-st. and Berkeley Square, is
most impressive, and the central hall is one of
the handsomest in London, being rivalled only
by that Of Stafford House. There is a large
picture gallery but works OF art of the highest
quality are scattered about the house in all the
large rooms There is a library. with one of the
most valuable collections OF rare and costly
books to be found in England. The drawing
room and ballroom are well lighted and spa
cious. One Of the most noticeable decorations
IS splendid mentelpiece, supported by the
crouching figures of nude caryatids. This is
one Of the finest examples of the art Of Alfred
stevens an English sculptor OF high creative
power, who began many works. but left most OF
oughly modern in its appointments and is con-
sidered the most comfortable and the best ar
ranged Of the great houses IN London. 1t lends
itself easily by the arrangement Of the rooms
TO splendid entertainments, and it is rich in
art treasures Of inestirnable value.
Captain Holford has always been ready to
open Dorchester House to art lovers on certain
mornings Of the week. and he has seldom re
fused requests for the exhibition of his pictures
81 Burlington House the Gundhau and other
galleries Consequently the masterpieces on
the walls Of the picture gallery drawing room,
ballroom dining room and other apartments
well known. Among them two early
works Of Velasquez in perfect condition. One
is a full length portrait OF Philip " in buff
dOublet chain armor, and the other is
large portrait OF the painters patron at court,
the Duke Olivares the Prime Minister respon-
sibe for the loss Of vast possessions Of the
Spanish Empire There is a brilliant series of
Rembrandts; the famous portrait OF the Am
sterdam merchant Martin Looten; a realistic
portrait of an old lady in black dress white cap
and ruff; and the Man with a Sword" which
IS believed by experts TO represent the painter
himself. The Van Dycks include a strong por-
trait OF the Marchesa BaIb and another of the
Able ScaElia, which IS remarkable for clear
ness and directness of method. There is char
scteristic portrait OF a by Cornelis de
Vos there IS another of Leonora, the wife Of
Corimo l. painted by Bronzino; and there are
portraits attributed to Titan and Tintoretto.
There are many beautiful landscapes at Dor
chester House. Among these are Hobbenas
Margin Of a Forest" Cuyp's brilliant view OF
Dordrecht, & fine Ruysdael, with a glimpse OF
Eaarlem, a characteristic goat picture, by Paul
Potter. and many works by Dutch and Flemish
painters. The best Titan is a Holy Family,
with John the Baptist. and there is another by
Andrea del Sarto. with a school piece-the Queen
Of Cyprus-by Paul Veronese. One quaint
group Of six saints is assigned TO Fra Angelica
and another group of three figures Is Tin
torett0. The italian examples are inferior to
the Spanish. Dutch and Flemish portraits aud
landscapes, which are among the choicest art
treasures 10 be seen In London The Duke OF
Westminster's collection at Grosvenor House,
with Rembrandt's "Salutation." Gainsboroughs
Blue Boy" Reynolds Mrs, Siddons as the
Tragic Muse" and a splendid series Of Claudes,
Cuyps and Hobbemas. Is the largest and most
valuable under any London roof. Otherwise
Captain Holford's collection challenges the
honor Of second place with the galleries OF
Brfdgewater House, Apsley House, Lansdowne
House and Stafford House. The treasures OF
the library are too valuable 10 be handled and
are constantly kept under glass. Many OF the
rare books cen be matched only IN the British
Museum and the Bodleian. 7. n. F.