The sun., 1919-06-22
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Passing of Chesterfield House From
Possession of Former New York Girl
to Lord Lascelles Recalls Historic
Love Affair Which Marked
Opening in 1852
ByFREDERIck cUNLIFFE.owEN
Opening in 1852

FOLLOWING the example Of Con-
suelo. Duchess of Marlborough,
who last month sold to Lord
Furness Sunderland House, In May
fair, built by her father, William K
Vanderbilt, for her use as a home in
the British metropolis, the Duchess of
Roxburghe, also Of American birth
and only daughter and heiress of the
late Ogden Goelet of New York, has
disposed OF her great town mansion
close by, known as Chesterfield House,
TO Lord Lascelles. Speculation is rife
In London as to whether Lady Ward
will be moved by this exodus of her
countrywomen from the purlieus of
Park lano to get rid Of that other
great mansion of that region, Dudley
House. which was presented to her
az wedding gift by her father, White
bw Reid OF New York. while Ambas-
sador 10 England. on the occasion Of
her marriage to King Edwards
equerr", Sir John Ward. In 1908.
Compared. with Sunderland House
and Dudley House, the Duchess of
Roxburghe's London home, which has
row passed out OF her possession, Is
iaf and away the most interesting OF
Inc three mansions. For 1t was built
oetNeen 1747 and 1859 by the fourth
Lsrl OF Chesterfield, author OF the cele-
DRAFTED Letters" the friend of Vol
talre. the successful Ambassador and
secretary OF State for Foreign At
talrs. and one OF the very few British
'iceroys Of Ireland who. possibly by
reason of his brilliant Wit, was able
10 understand and to get into sym
pathy with the people over whom he
was deputed to reign. 1t was at the
rouse warming of Chesterfield House
IN February, 1852, that James, sixth
Luke OF Hamilton, fell so violently in
love with the famous Irish beauty,
Elizabeth Cunning. that while the en-
urtainment was still in progress he
hurried with her to Curzon Chapel.
close by, and was married then and
there, shortly after midnight and after
only few hours of acquaintance and
courtship
AT that time Chesterfield House
stood In the country. Mayfair was a
spot devoted to the holding of annual
ialrs and within a stones throw of the |
public gallows at Tyburn. 1t was re-
sarded In those days as one OF the
most lawless though picturesque
suburbs OF the city. Lord Chesterfield
spoke OF himself as living at Chester :
held House surrounded by thieves,
murderers and cutthroats OF every
description" To-day II Is In the very
neart OF London, and in the latter's
most ultra-fashionable district, while
the site OF Curzon Chapel. where the
midnight wedding OF the Duke OF
hamilton and Of Elizabeth Cunning
LOOK place. now Is occupied by Sun
Serland House. which the Duchess of
scarborough has just relinquished to
Lord Furness, the shipping magnate.
among the features Of Chesterfield
house are the wonderful Corinthian
pillars which adorn the facade and
winch were brought from Greece at
enormous expense by the first Duke
ot Chandos, the friend OF Handel, of
rope and OF Swift. to adorn his coun-
Try place at Canons. near Edgeware,
IN Middelsex. He died. almost entirely
ruined by his extravag ance. in 1744.
canons was torn down and Lord
chesterfield bought the Corinthian pill
Iars for his new house In Mayfair.
~ may be recalled that In his Let
ters' he refers to them as the Canon
'al pillars o: my house"
Another celebrated feature OF Ches-.
erileld House is its superb main stair