HOME OF GREAT MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20254, 14 May 1929, Page 10

HOME OF GREAT MEN.

TWO PRIME MINISTERS.

HISTORIC HOUSE TO BE SOLD.

The Earl of Balfour has decided to soli his London house, 4, Carlton Gardens, St. James'. No plans have yet been matlo for Lord Balfour's future residence in London when the house has been sold. No. 4, Carlton Gardens, has been the home of great statesmen for most of the 104 years of its existence. Here Lord Balfour has lived since 1871. Before him, it was the home of Lord Palmerston when he was Prime Minister. Within its walls the two statesmen considered some of the greatest Empire problems of their times, and were visited by the outstanding political personalities of generations that were rich in great men.

The only tenant to occupy the house before Lord Palmerston was Adrian Hope, who built it in 1825, and the son of Adrian Hope occupied it when Lord Palmerston's lease expired until the present Earl of Balfour bought it 58 years ago. So the house has a better title to the description, "the home of great statesmen," than any other of London's famous houses, with the exception of the official residences No. 10 and No. 11, Downing Street. Thero is much of great interest about the building itself, the improvements inspired by Lord Balfour, and the objects of art within it. Tho site was once part of the gardens at Carlton House, tho residence of King Ceorge IV. when ho was Princ.o of Wales. Parts of tho old mansion woro embodied in tho house. Sevoral of tho mantelpieces and some of the old ironwork were part of the old Carlton House. Lord Balfour had extensive alterations made. A single staircaso round tho hall replaced two separate stairs. Tho library, one of tho two principal rooms on tho ground floor, has been considerably enlarged. It still contains the mahogany and ormolu bookcases used by Lord Palmerston. There are pieces of furniture, silver, and original political cartoons that have been presented to Lord Balfour. His thousands of books are chiefly psychological and religious works and political and legal records, although Shakpspero has an honoured place. There is old china and porcelain, Fulham pottery, and, most interesting of all. a fine collection of pictures painted by Sir Edward Burne-Jones for Lord Balfour.

Tho drawing room was specially constructed to hold tho sot of eight paintings depicting th.e adventures of Perseus and Andromeda. Only four were cpm-i ploted, arid two which tho artist was unable to completo before his death still bear rough chalk marks. The remaining two are moro rough chalkiugs on brown paper.