New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-04

a grievous experience at the palace. II we may
believe Aubrey: He was but tender. weak
body, but was always very temperate-rnade him
dannably drunk at Somerset House, where az
the water stairs he fell down and had cruel
fall; twas pity to such sweet swan SO in
humanity" 1t was at Somerset House that oc-
CURED the famous expulsion OF the Queens
French attendants, whose insOlence the patient
King could no longer endure. There was a
scene for Sweet Thanise' to witness,-the fu-
rious men absolutely refusing to leave the gates
the hysterical women gesticulating and scream
ing out eloquent complaints. the unmOved Brit
ish yeOrnen of the guard pressing on behind
Under the Commonwealth the art treasures OF
King Charles were exposed for sale at Somerset
House, and various members OF Parliament with
the headquarters staff of the army had apart
ments there. And there Cromwell lay in state
in truly regal masnifcence. The whole room
was hung and ceiled with black velvet: the bed
was draped with richest velvet; the ''effiges"
wore robes of velvet laced with gold and furred
with ermine; upon chair Of state rested an
imperial crown set with precious stones. I'm
mense sums were spent on the funeral process
sion and ceremonies. which provoked the
people, it is said. that they threw dirt in the
night over the escutcheon placed above the
great gate Of Somerset House It was only a
wax doll TO which much honor was paid in
the stately palace room which had been the
presence chamber OF three Queens-for the
mighty divers body had been jnperfectIy en-
balmed and had to be buried long before the
expiration of the eleven weeks between his death
and the state funeral. Something more than a
year after those CHASTITY remains we're dragged
from their tomb in the Abbey hung for a long
winters day at Tyburn and buried at night in
a deep pit under the gailOws.
even then ugly. came back to Somerset House
with the Restoration. and the palace later served
as the residence of Catherine of Braganza. the
simple, stupid. fat young wife of Charles H. OF
the Queens who dwelt there Catherine was the
least queenly. But she not without her
good points. Though she be not very charm
ing" saith Master Pepys. vet she hath a good.
modest and innocent look, which is pleasing
The chief dramatic incident of the neglected
young girls life at Somerset House was the ac-
cusation of the scoundreuy Titus Oates that
she had planned her husbands death by poison
an accusation which for time placed her in
great danger:
III In this embrogIio the only happy incident was
Simple, domestic Catherine-resulJing in her re-
Illness of the Queen, Charles had demonstrated
noL ueNoI OF tender feeling for the SuferinSs
OF others; and now, while Catherine was held up
e
lie for completely in the Plot Charles stood by
her side. -
After the departure of the widowed Catherine
for Portugal. Somerset House was long used for
the accommodation of the poorer nobility. and II
gradually fell into cruel dilapidation In the
reign OF George III a fashionable ynasuuerada
was held here-an occasion memorable for +bs
appearance of the beautiful Elizabeth Cbu5-
leigh so lightly clad Iphigenia that even the
frank taste of that time was shocked and the
princess of Wales threw scarf over the figure
Oh her daring maid of honor. In I77f the schools
Oh design OF the Royal Academy were taken into
the palace occupying apartments striking in
'HeI remnants OF imperial grandeur. Five Years
ldlef the old building pulled down and the
present Somerset House took its place Rooms
were specially arranged therein for the ROYAL
Academy, and for hfty-seven years il held fts
exhibitions there. There Sir Joshua REYNOLDS
delivered his ''Discourses.'' and there he law in
state 4 sovereign of art Another splendid I'm,
neral conducted from Somerset House WAS that
Oh the American artist Sir BENJAMIN West The
acauemy long ago sought other Quarters and
the building is now used entirely for -overr-
nent Offices. for the accommodation of W HIGH II
was really erected.