The New York herald., 1920-01-18
they all went. those proud. gay people.
Yes. the lion might have tale to tell"

Yes. the lion might have tale to tell"
There is a TESTERS bauble on one Of the
old Italian chairs-not a stagle bauble man
ufactured today. but genuine antique
which some Italian or Spanish fool flour
ished for the delight of his royal master.
Mr.. Belasco has a collection of these bau-
bles. some Of them of carved wood. with
grotesque heads exquisitely delineated, and
others of bronze or other metal set with
bells which have often rung merry peel
in courtiers' ears. The baubles, to the
number Of eighty-odd, are not locked away
lin cabinets. but lie here and there on chairs
or tables. just as they did in their days of
importance and with much the same back
ground of antique velvets and sumptuous
|costumes.
From the study one steps into the dining
room. also a room of moderate size, low
ceiled, unpretentious in proportion. one
might almost say "cosey."
The walls are paneled in old walnut. a
glowing. rich, unobtrusive background for
the collection of lovely objects which the
rooms contains.
Table and chairs are Of italian walnut;
the chairs with red brocade coverings. the
table long and narrow. rich with carvings.
Here and there on table or sdeboard one
Iexamines piece of glass or pewter and
is startled to come face to face with the
famous name Of its original owner.
There are glasses from Sir Robert PeeIs
collection and from the table one picks up
an ample tankard on which is engraved
'Sir Richard Steele from George. Prince of
Wales--Beef and Liberty" The sideboard
is freighted with old lustre, pink, silver and
bronze and with a superb collection of old
English and early American wares. And
there are wall cupboards containing glass
ware and silver--for the walls Of the Belas-
!. tAn AorA y q fl,r
surface.
One passes through a little beautiful pas
sage into the Japanese room. also a small
apartment with matted floors and walls
made up OF sliding panels. When drawn
together these panels are Of plain bamboo.
but when apart they reveal a wall delicate
ly painted in evasive pale colored land
scapes. This is a room for rest There is
nothing overvivid here and not too much
that is stimulating to the imagination.
There is a couch covered with old Japan
ese embroidery. soft and harmonious in
coloring. The Buddhistic shrine in the cor
ner, from which the inscrutable Oriental
god presides over the quiet retreat, is the
most important object among the scant
deepens the tone Of contemplation Of this
apartment.
Moods Made Easy.
But the calm and contemplative mood
departs at the entrance to the italian room
not a period room strictly, as is none Of
the studio suite. but. like the others. a
room subtly expressive OF mood, a time
or a people.
The Italian room Is expressive of beauty
and passion. above all. of intrigue. Along
with the old velvets, worn to tones even
more wonderful than their original hues,
along with the brocades and carved
Nyn svaNC IL al As-
parts in thirteenth century churches, there
is cabinet OF the Borgias. one of those
secret cabinsts in which they kept the sub
tie poisons with which they were wont at
times to surprise both friends and enemies.
But then" says Mr.. Belasco. speaking
in his quiet way. almost In a whisper when
he is talking over these objects which peo-
pie his rooms with a throng of men and
women OF the past, somehow l never be-
lieved all that they said about Lucrezia
Borgia- She is one OF the women of his
tory in whom I have taken an interest.
1t seems to me she was a creature of pas
sion. But can not think that she was
cruel or heartless. She did some of the
things they have set down against her.
no doubt, but not the worst things"
Through passage on which a golden
shrine In an alcove cast its mild radiance
one passes to the library. in which some
OF M. Belasco's $1,000 volumns are gath
cred. Among them are 10000 first editions.
the old red. brown and gold of their bind
ings giving that sombre richness to the
walls which only old bindings can supply.
The walls are completely lined with books,
but at the corners places have been left
FOR cabinets. in which are arranged jugs
and similar pieces. Another feature of the
library is a screen Of silhouettcs, medal
lions and miniatures.
The Gothic room is the largest In the
series. Many banners hang from it's
vaulted roof. banners OF the church and
OF the courts. some of which were car
ried into battle by the henchmen of great
lords in days Of yore, or which waved from
castle towers in Italy. Spain or England.
Beneath them stand the suits OF mail worn