The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-11-04
FAMOUS OLD MANSION
Countess of leicester to Re-
vive Holland House.
TRAGEDY AND ROMANCE THERE
Mansion where Addison Died and
Goldsmith Wrote HIS "VIcar of
Wakefield" Country Estate in
the Heart of Britain's Metropolis.
Has a Very Picturesque Chest.

Correspondence Of The Washington Herald
/ London, Oct. 25.-Soc.ety = looking
eagerly forward to a revival Of the glor-
/ les and Inequalities Of Holland House.
the most famous Of Londons historic
mansions,
It's new chatelaine, the reigning Count
/ ess Of leicester. whose husband succeed
ed 10 the title early This year, is a brill
liant woman. ambitious Of social ds-
uncuon- With Holland House at her
disposal and ample means, she is II a
/ position 70 take a leading place among
the hostesses Of the day. She is an
Irish lass the only daughter Of the Mar
quis and Marchioness Of Londonderry,
possessed OF all the charm and vivac.ty
for which Erns daughters are famous.
The history of Holland House for a
hundred years from the middle Of the
eighteenth century is almost the history
of the British nation. It is Of special
interest to the United States. for two Of
It's occupants in different years were
William Penn. founder OF Pennsylvania
and Gen Fairfax, who gave 50 many il
iu5tTious Vir6inian descendants TO the
United States.
rs history deals with kings and queens
and princes. Of the church. OF politics
art, and literature. Romances eliminating
10 elopement and in marriage weaves its
way through. Deadly duels have place
in H. and ghost stories find their niche
here.
The greatest mystery Of London society
concerning a WON now a princess. had
lis day here. Here 1t was that the
great Lady Holland had her salon,
where congregated the wits OF Europe
Here her amiable husband entertained
the poets. authors, and artists OF his
day. Here statesmen gathered and held
Their councils, and 10 the men and won
en- Of wealth, position. and celebrity II
was almost the center Of the Universe.
Built Centuries Ago.
Holland House was built in lCJ7 shortly
after the death OF Queen Elizabeth. but fl
only began 10 be celebrated on the advent
Of Addison who married the widow of
Lord Holland, the first Of the Hollands
to win iJ. Il was built By S.r John
Cope. VINO willed it 10 his daughter. Iss-
Deiia- The land belonged 10 tne De
FeIes, and was boJglt from them Jus.
Oeio.e the Earl of OXfold head was
chopped on and his properly se.zsd by
me crown Isabella married ST Henry
tLch- He was q younger son OF the
LrsL Earl OF Warwick By the latters mar
rage Wien Penelope. daughter OF Queen
EIZaoCths favOr,e. the Earl OF Essex
She was the 'S,el.a" vi SIT Philip SD
ney.
Sir Henry was one Of the leading cour.
tiers OF his time. He tried 10 neSoIstg
a marriage foI King Cnar.es with tie Ia
tanea OF Spe %, bat The lady refused.
However, Tor his good intenuo is. he was
made baron, and t,ok the title OF Lord
ke-singtou from the location IF his wife E
propelt ~. re was soon afterward raised
20 an carbon and. taking The title 81
Earl Of Holland the house was christeaed
Holland House. On his fathers death be
became also Earl Of Warwick.
He chamQiJned the cause Of King
Charles in the civil war. and when Parl .
ament rad gained the upper ha.d was
arrested and lodged in the Tower # l.ol-
don. He secured his release. and headed
plot on behalf OF the dethr ned mon
arch For that he was beheadcd.
The Commonwealth seized his property.
and Holland House bec1me the head
quarters OF Cr0WWclis army. Gen. Far
fax resided there. and huge staff Il
bis officers turned the beautiful 10 ms
into military Offices, while CromwelTs
oodyguard ard several regiments at
tacned 70 headquarters Camped in the
magnificent grounds.
Occupied by Penn.
At the Restoration the property was
given back TO the widow Of the Earl OF
Holland and Warwick. She did not live
there. however. From that time until the
House Of Hanover came 10 the throne Of
England Holland House was let on short
leases TO a number of tenants. who were
then, or became in after years, famous.
One Of the tenants was William Penn
He lived there for three years. Fox-th,
OK of George Is reign-was the last
tenant ard he bought the freehol5
When he was raised 10 the peerage he
took the e-tiuCt title Of Earl OF Holland
Tie house had already become cela-
bratcd in the literary and political word
for. in 17l6. Addison married Charlo T..
widow OF TIE Earl Of Holland and War
wick. seventh OF his line ard the last
OF the Inc OF original owners of The
property. Addison is believed to havo
cajoied the widow into marriage by his
beautiful writing. He wrote an imaginary
s. DRY about her and himself. telling Of his
love, OF their marriage. and OF their great
happiness. He went to Holland House