WALPOLE AT HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20372, 28 September 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

WALPOLE AT HOME.

NO. 10. DOWNING STREET. COMMODIOUS INTERIOR. MANY HISTORICAL SCENES. " DAMN YOU, GENTLEMEN." On tho left of tho Horse Guards' Parade, a few yards from Lho Kitchener statue set up in 1926, is a plain, unobtrusive door, overhung -with creepor an ordinary door—-so ordinary that it might easily be overlooked—the back door of No. 10, Downing Street.

Through this door for over two centuries Prime Minister after Prime Minister baa quietly passed when seeking to escape the attention of tho crowd which assembles daily and nightly in Downing Street.

This door seems to give the tone to tho wh< « bouse. Seen from the back, It also is quiet and unobtrusive. Its windows, with their simple white curtains might as easily hide the domesticities of nurseries as tho secrets of Cabinets. ./

To the left o vaulted passage leads one into Downing Street itself, right in front of No. 10. It is a simple Georgian /louse, with only two storeys and attics.' So unpretentious is it that tho words over the letter-box, " First Lord of (he Treasury," are the only sure indication that this Is really the home of Great Britain's Prime Minister, and one of the most historic spots in London. An Unbroken, Line. The first feeling on seeing No. 10 is ona of disappointment. The Visitor expected something that looked more important. Tho second feeling is & sense of satisfaction in finding something eo simple nnobtrnsive and typically English. It was built oyer 260 years ago by Sir George Downing, who has been described by his contemporaries as a perfidious rogue," " most ungrateful villaino," and- " doubly perjured traitor." lie became secretary of the Treasury in the reign, of Charles IL, and made history by giving his name to the street.

After Downing'* death the house fell into the hands of tha Crown, and George LL gave it to his Chief Minister, Sir Robert Wnlpole, as his official residence. Since Walpolo's time—he went out of office in 1742—there has been an unbroken line of Prime Ministers, about forty in number, each of whom has had No. 10 as his official residence.

To thoee privileged to enter the house, the interior soems surprisingly commodious after the appearance of the outside. One enters a lobby that serves as a waiting room, out of which rung a passage with a number of rooms opening on it. Hare is the Cabinet Room, large, long, with four stone pillars at one end, and two high windows overlooking', the garden at the other. Cabinet Members Meet. The room is dominated by a table, which runs along ita whole length. Here in heavy mahogany chairs, sit the mightiest in the land, the members of the Cabinet. Half-way down on one sido, in a mahogany armchair, with its back to the fireplace, sits the Prime Minister, m the place where before him eat W*lpole, Chatham, Pitt, PaliDerston,, Gladr st-one and Disraeli, to mention but a few.

A supply of stationery ia Laid out before each place at the table, and each blotter—there ia one for »very possible ©ocupant of a chair—haa stamped on it in gilt lettering, " First Lord of tie Treasury." The wails are lined with bookshelves, full of weighty, serious-look-ing volumes.

in this room the most important matters of State are deliberated on, and decisions are made that may affect the whole history of the world

But there is a lighter side to Cabinet meetings. Gossip has it that here at this table a love-sick Prime Minister used to produce the letters of his lady love, and read them to a reluctant and rather bored Cabinet. And at least one Prime Minister of Victorian fame was known to rise in desperation from a table where everybody disagreed with everybody else, and, placing his back to the door, exclaim :

" Damn you, gentlemen! I don't care what you all think, but-1 do not niovo from hero until you all think the same," From the Cabinet Room there is a curious double door leading to the Prime Minister's Room, and the secretaries' rooms. Throughout tho house ia a msze of passages and stairways. Entertaining Royalty. On the first floor is the State Diningroom, built by Sir John Soane. Here meals are served on special occasions, for the enLertaimng of Royally or foreign ambassadors. This room, like the rest of the house, is quile simple, its distinguishing feature being the carved ceiling and oak panelling. Adjoining is the smaller dining-room, the ordinary uveryday dining-room used by the Prime Minister's family, and on the same llooir is tho Reception Room, pleasantly decorated in pink and gold, with a plentiful"- supply of couches and easy-chairs. Over tho fine old marblo mantelpiece, hangs a picture of the first of the line of Prime Ministers, Sir Robert Walpolo. Two or three smaller, less formal sitting-rooms complete the Reception Suite. , On the same floor is the Prime Minister a personal suite, and - above are more bedrooms —about six in all, including the servants' rooms. Below are a laundry and a stone kitchen with a huge fire, reminding us of tho tinio when haunches ot venison and barons of beef were the oi er of tho day. Needless to say, modern appliances have now been installed. Tho bark of the house gives on to a rectangular garden, which stretches tho whole length of No. 10 and 11. Not vor . y lartre it. is quiet and chinning, anu, with the vista of St. James' Park beyond it, has often given a harassed I nine Minister a precious half-honr of menta and physical refreshment.