New-York tribune., 1908-04-20
cHAHcELLoR's HOME AT ROME


The Chancellor OF the German Empire and Prin-
cess BuIow are now at Rome, established for the
first time in the Vila Malta. which they purchased
about year ago from Count Bobrtnski in the
Tudov;s quarter Of the Eternal City II derives its
name from the fact that it occupies site of the
former residence OF the grand master Of the Sow
ereign Order Of and Of ST. John Of Jerusalem.
at Rome and was for q number of years the home
Of King Louis 7 Of Bavaria after the latter had
been driven to abandon his throne and to abdicate
his crown on account OF his intimacy with the no
torious Lola Montez. who died in penury in this
country.
Perched on the southern declivity Of the Pincio,
the grounds arc entirely sheltered from public view
hy high ivy covered walls and by hedges Of roses
nearly thirty feet high Yet from the terraces
built on each floor. and still more from the tower,
the whole Of Rome most of the Campagna. the
Allan Sabine hills. and the Mediterranean,
are visible. At the gate stands porter's lodge,
from which circuitous carriage drive leads
through the gardens nearly three acres in extent,
under palms. orange and pomegranate trees and
bamboos to the chief entrance. The ceiling Of the
grand hall is in the Italian Renaissance style and
is in keeping with the scheme Of the polished mar
hle floors below. and possesses the peculiarity of
being adjustable 10 any height preferred by the
occupier OF the palace, ingenious mechanism in
the tower allowing II 10 be raised or lowered
will The whole wall is Wainscoted 10 a height
Of az least twenty feet with magnificent polished
walnut paneling. and above il and around the gal
lery runs broad banu of woven grey silk of sim
pie design. The chimney piece OF this hall is
superb one Of massive sculptured marble and
formerly adorned the Altempo palace The chief
feature Of the place, however is the profusion Of
climbing roses. of which there than fifteen
hundred varieties At every angle of the villa large
pillars of climbing roses ascend around iron sup
ports TO the roof and just the whole place is
q Of floral color and fragrance.
King Louis spent immense amount OF money
on the place. and when it, after his death was
purchased by Count Bobrinski, the great Russian
sugar redner and beet root sugar king. he filled
# from cellar 10 garret with art treasures. His
heirs endeavored for some years 10 dispose Of it.
not caring for Rome, and at one moment were
on the point of selling 1t TO the widowed Queen
Margaret. who. however. found that 1t was not
quite large enough for her needs. Last year they
found a purchaser in Prince Buow who bought
IT, with all its contents the shape OF brc-a- brac
paintings, furniture, etc, for a sum considerably
below its real value, or that which Queen Mar
garet was prepared 10 pay for it.
There Is but drawback the Villa Malta OF
which I think. 1t is built over the Catacombs
Of san Feciano, and OF there is always
the danger Of the foundations tumbling into the
subterranean maze and also of some anarchist
securing access to the catacombs in order to
blow up the building above The CataCoTnbs of San
FeIiciano at least that portion OF them which is
beneath the Villa Malta, used by the nuns Of
Santa Triuita for the storing of their wines Ny
readers must not suppose from this that the pious
sisters in question given drinking or that
for their own consumption. The fact of the matter
is that portion OF the property with which their
convent Is endowed consists OF vineyards from
which they derive considerable revenues and the
wines in question those which they grow and
sell
The villa Malta is destined TO become the prn-
cipaI home OF Prince BGlow and OF his wife on
his retirement from the Office Chancellor OF the
German Empire 1t in the Eternal City that
some Of the happiest years OF his life were spent
as ambassador to the court of King Hunb4rt
His wife is Italian, Princess Camporeale
(sster OF the Senator OF that name Who snen, On
many years attached TO the Italian mission AZ
Washing gtouJ. while his mother OF whom, he
IS extremely fond and who always spends a ror
ton Of the year with him. is one OF the most
brilliant and clever women in Europe whose salon
at Rome enjoys an international fame and who
known as Donna Laura Mnghett is the p.idoy,
OF Premier Mnghetti, one Of the PRINCIPAL autbors
OF the Triple Alliance. Prince Bdlow is very rich
and about years ago he inherited a large
fortune amounting TO several million doIiars
from one Of the relatives Of MS mother who was
q daughter OF one OF the great merchant princes
OF Hamburg