Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-03

much attraction for Mr.. AsQuith. As
chancellor Of the exchequer an ''ofIacial''
residence was available for him at No u.
but he handed II over to Mr.. Herbert
Gladstone. and ne has continued to re-
side throughout the period OF the present
parliament at his own house in Cavern
dish square, Most Of his predecessors In
the premiership have had 4 distinct par
tiality for the house In Downing street,
alike on business and on. sentimental
grounds. The country visitor who goes
to gaze at the ofiic - residence In always
disappointed he fnus II hard to believe
that such drab. undistinguished brick built
houses can have been the scene OF 80
much that is important In modern Eng
lieh history.
No. 10. the Official residence Of the first
lord OF the treasury, which once belonged
to Mr.. Harvard. who founded the famous
American University. is more roomy than
1t looks from Downing street. and has q
pleasant garden and an agreeable out
look from the back windows upon St.
James Park. Most important Of all.
Downing street is closely In touch with
the government departments and the
houses OF parliament. Ministers and Of
ficials can easily be summoned. IL wanted.
minister TO have quick access to the Pal
ace of Westminster. and. sometimes. in
moments OF public excitement, the hold
er OF the Office has slipped quietly out OF
the garden gate and reached Palace yard
unobserved when a crowd was waiting
for him In Downing street.
Lord Salisbury never resided In Down.
ing street. and never wanted to. he
spent his time between his splendid town
house in Arlington street and the foreign
office. The fondness Of Disraeu for the
place was 70 pronounced that he super
vised rather extensive scheme Of In
ternal decoration. A considerable sum OF
money was spent on a scheme In the
Imagination to live In q house 70 which
SO many interesting political memories
attached. and besides ne liked the pleas
ant and stimulating view behind. Glad
stone also had a great liking Tor the
house. In his case aesthetic tastes did
not come into play. It suited him for
the practical reasons already alluded to.
There he dispensed hospitality at those
historic breakfasts to which such various
people were invited. Mrs. Gladstone also
liked the place. and there 10 o story OF
her writing to an incoming minister once
praying him not to disturb them for q
stated period as for reasons given M
would be inconvenient TO move out It
once.
Occupied by Balfour.
Mr.. Balfour also occupied No. 10. when
he was first lord OF the treasury and
prime minister. During his occupancy
the house became more artistic In Its
portable decorations than II had ever
been before. He surrounded himself
with objects Of art Transferred from hts
town house, and more piano playing went
on than In all the previous history OF the
house. Mr.. Balfour used to put In many
hours OF work in the old cabinet room,
not sitting at a. writing table. but stand
ing at high desk. his favorite way or
skimming official documents and making
memoranda. Mr.. w. n. Smith did not
live at 10 Downing street. but he used II
for Official purposes. Sir III. Campbell
Bannerman. as we know. has lived there.
In the early days Of his premiership the
late Lady Campbell Bannerman gave
some big oficial receptions at the ofiiciai
residence. Amongst other historic
happenings must be included the raiding
of 1t by the suffragettes.
The official importance Of Downing
street dates from the early part Of tho
eighteenth century. In September. 1875.
Sir Robert Walpole took possession OF NO.
TO- and he and his son Horace found It
congenial enough. The house was after
ward used by Pelham, Lord Butte, Lord
North and the two Pitts. Pitt, the young
err was greatly attached to the place. He
was proud of having lived In Downing
street throughout his long period OF pow
er. There he received from Lord 9pen-
Ger the first news of the mutiny at tho
More; there. too. mob DEMONSTRATORS
were made against him because OF the
press-gangs. L. II. mOOnh