The Washington herald., 1908-01-12

land by the Infanta Isabella. as ambas-
sador from Flanders. to decorate the cell
ing. The sketches were made by Rubens
on the spot But the actual paintings
were executed and completed in Ant
werp, in the year 1851. Charles was also
in treaty with Van Dyck to paint on the
walls OF the Hall Of History OF the order
OF the Garter.
But the premature death of the artist
prevented him from entering on his task.
as the outbreak OF the civil wax would
have prevented him from completing it
had ne lived. Owing to abominable neg
lect. and attempted restorations OF a per-
feetly vandalistic character. these paint
ings OF Rubens. adorning the entire cell
ing of the banqueting house seemed 10 be
hopelessly ruined, the original tints had
completely disappeared from view. and
the whole paintings, what with dirt and
coat above coat Of dscol0red garnish, had
assumed a brown blur.
But for nearly two years past they
have been undergoing a process of res
toration, according to the most up-to-date
methods. and so beautifully has the work
been performed that nine enormous pic
lures adorning the ceiling, and represent
AiiS q liig A&AALal dIUAtlfO14S Di the EtlEH Ut
James /, appear now in all the magnif-
cence OF their original coloring, as fresh
and as powerful as on the day on which
they issued from the studio OF the great
master Of Antwerp.
They will serve as a powerful attraction
hencefOrth to the banqueting house
for visitors from all parts of the world.
who will find many other things to inter-
est them. as the banquetlng hail. after
being used by the first three rulers OF
the House OF Hanover as a chapel has
now been devoted by the King 10 the
Royal United Service Museum, where all
kinds OF naval and military relics are
preserved, from an old gun Of the Marie
Rose. a famous man-of-war IN the reign
Of King Henry VIII. and the canteen
trunk of Gen. Wolfe, down to one of the
chairs on which Bismarck and Napoleon
sat on the occasion of the capitulatiOn OF
Sedan. in 1870. and q gun manufactured
and used by the defenders of Mafeking
during the last BoeT war.
Although Charles II, whose extrava-
gances were such as TO place him through
out the greater part Of his reign in a
state Of financial dependence upon the
4 AAfNAS IA Il AclAAtts anu Va NNAttA -pAAAlAEilNc
powers, from whom ne not only accepted
but even begged for subsidies. was unable
to do anything toward completing tht
grandiose designs of Inigo Jones, in con-
nection with the reconstruction of the re.
mainder Of the palace OF Whitehall, and
remained content with the ugly and in
elegant, yet spacious series OF buildings
which extended all the way from tbs
Horse Guards down 20 the rivers edge
yet it was during his tenure of the throne
that Whitehall enjoyed its greatest perioc
OF briiliancy as a royal court.
1t was the center of political intrigue
and Of fashionable gayety. To use tn,
words Of Macaulay, Half the jobbinl
and half the flirting of the metropolis
went on under his roof. Whoever could
make himself agreeable TO the King. ol
could secure the good offices OF his favor.
ite might hope 10 rise in the world. with,
out rendering any service 10 me govern
ment, without being even known by sight
20 any minister Of state.
This COurtier got a brigade, that
regiment, a third the pardon Of a rcf
offender, a fourth a lease of crown land
on easy terms II the King notified
/ his pleasure that a briehess lawyer shouIC
be made a Judge. or that a liberun'
baTonet be raised 20 the peerage, TIT
gravest councillors submitted Interest
therefore. drew a constant press OF suit
CTS to the gates of the palace, and thes'
gates were always wide open. The Kinl
| kept open house every day, and all das
/ long. for the good society of London.
NO gentleman had difficulty in making
his way to the royal presence.
/ Bystanders whom his majesty recognized
often came in for a courteous word. Thi
proved more successful kingCTaft thar
any that his father or grandfather ha,
praCticed. and many a veteran Cavalier
T in whose heart the remembrance Of unre
/ Quilted sacrifices and services had lonl
I been fostering. was compensated in on
moment for wounds and sequestration
T by Charles kind nod, and God bles
you. my old friends " When the George
came 10 the throne the court did no
retain its influence.
/ Society by degrees discovered that tn
/ sovereign in his individual capacity ha
very little 20 give, that coronets an,
garters. bishoprics and embassies, lord
ships Of the treasury, nay. even charge
/ IN the royal stud and bedchamber, wer
| really bestowed not by the King. but b.
his cabinet officers. Every ambition
man saw that he would consult his in
/ ~