CHESTERFIELD HOUSE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6857, 12 March 1929, Page 11

CHESTERFIELD HOUSE

London Home of Princess > Mary

BUILDING WITH A HISTORY

Chesterfield House, in South Audley Street, the London home of Princess Mary, is a building with a history, writes Horace Wyndham, author of "The Mayfair Calendar,’’ etc. Its name, of course, is derived from tho fact that its first occupant was- the famous Earl of Chesterfield, tho author of "Letters to His Son.” The Earl took up his abode there in 1749. He was so anxious to do so, that he moved in quite twelve months before the residence was completed. “I have as yet finished nothing but my boudoir and my library," he wrote. "The former is the gayest and most cheerful room in England; tho latter is the best." But the British workman, then as now, would not hurry himself; and it was not until another three years had elapsed that the last of them was out of the place and the Earl bade all “Society” come and inspect the result. "There was a fortnight ago," writes Horace Walpole, "an immense assembly at my Lord Chesterfield’s made to show the house, which is really most magnificent. Duke Hamilton," he adds, with a touch of malicious scandal, ‘ ‘ made violent lave at. one end of the room."

Lord Chesterfield, being & man of wealth and taste, spared neither money nor trouble in beautifying his new .mansion. The journalists of the period went into raptures over "its library, with rich and classical stores of literature"; Its portraits and busts and bronzes; the painted splendours of the music room; the princely suite of reception rooms; and lie wonderful panelling and furniture." A special feature was a superb staircase of Carrara marble. This had been bought from the Duke of Chandos; and it is said that the point that docided the Earl to secure it was the fact that the iron scroll work already contained the initial "C." Changes of Ownership.

It was in this mansion that Lord Chesterfield installed his bride, tho semi-royal Countess of Walsingham. the ‘ ‘ natural ’ ’ daughter of George I. For her benefit there was prepared a wonderful boudoir, decorated in. blue and gold and damask. But tho marriage was not a success, although Walpole (who always concerned himself in other people’s affairs) was insistent that "the Countess was an exemplary wife, and the Earl rewarded her very ungratefully." The Earl of Chesterfield enjoyed the splendours of his mansion until 1773, the year of his death. During the next seventy years it was occupied by members of his family, but in 3849 there was a break, and it was leased to the Marquess of Abercorn. Twenty years later the property was sold, the purchaser being Mr. Charles Magniac, a wealthy city merchant, who signalised his reign by pulling down tho original wings and colonnades. After living there for some time, he disposed of his interests to Lord Burton. Its next occupants were the Duke and Duchess of Roxburgh. They, however, only acquired a short lease, and, when their tenancy was finished, Ghosterfield House was once more "in the market." It was then that Viscount Lascelles—thanks to tho millions he inherited from Lord Clan ricarde—was able to secure this historic mansion. Since 1922 it has been the London home of himself and Princess Mary and their two young sons. Modem Chesterfield House.

With the passage of time, there is, of course, a difference between tho original Chesterfield House and the modern one. The exterior, witli its flagged courtyard, over which sedan chairs and creaking coaches and luxurious motor cars have passed in turn, still remains, but the addition of such amenities as electric lighting, lifts and bells—not to mention bathrooms —has considerably altered the interior. From an architectural point of viow, the drawback to Chesterfield House as a Royal residence is that much of it can be overlooked by tho mansions at the front and back. On the ground floor is the principal dining room. This is as large as an average picture gallery, and has a fine moulded ceiling, and walls hung with crimson brocade. Except when a big bauquet is being given there, a second and smaller dining room is more often used. Among the pictures in it is a life-sized portrait of Viscount Laseellps’ kinsman, the Marquess of Clanricarde. Halfway up the double branched staircase that rises from the pillared entrance hall is a broad landing, where, when receptions are held, the host and hostess receivo tho company. This landing leads into what was once the music-room, and is now tho ballroom, a long and stately apartment, with white panelled walls and gilded mouldings. Just Off it is Princess Mary’s boudoir, daintily furnished in white and gold, and full of her special and intimate belongings. The Famous Library. Tho famous library, where Lord Chesterfield composed his historic "Letters," has been very little changed (except as to its contents) since it was first planned. This room overlooked the garden and all round it at intervals are portaits and bronzes and busts of distinguished authors and orators, while a magnificent collection of books and manuscripts is arranged on recessed shelves. The drawing room at Chesterfield House is among the finest in London. It is decorated in the Louis XV. manner, with: tapestried furniture and grey brocaded curtains. Other features in it

are big mirrors at either end, and a largo crystal chandelier that once belonged to Napoleon I. In the cabinets are some valuable specimens of Sevres ware, and on the walls arc a number of Old Masters and a magnificent Reynolds. From tho drawing room a double stairway of stono (down which Lord Chesterfield himself often walked, snuff box in hand, gossiping with the wits and beaux of the period) leads into the garden. This is not large. Still, it has flowers and tuff and a few wellgrown trees. It thus forms a pleasant oasis, and one in which Princess Mary’s two small sons spend a good deal of their time. Atlogether, Chesterfield House is a worthy setting for a King’s daughter.