NO. 10 DOWNING STREET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13516, 13 February 1906, Page 6

NO. 10 DOWNING STREET.

THE CHART ROOM OF THE SHIP OF STATE. No. 10 Downing street, the shabby-look-ing house in the narrow cul-de-sac which ruirh between Whitehall and St. James's Park, in which Sir Henry CampbcllBannomian is about to fake up his abode, io a house of more than common interest. Ugly uninteresting as No. 10 undoubtedly is, it has the merits of- considerable age and historical associations, Built in the reign of Charles I, it was oocUDiccl by Richard 'Weston, Karl of Portland, a Lord High Treasurer to that ill-fated monarch. Aftor (he flight of James II the house lapsed to the Crown, and in 1732 was offered as a residence to Sir Robert Walpole, tlion Prime Minister, whoso suggestion it was that it should attach as a rcsideneo to tho office of Prcmior for all time.

Since those days, therefore, all the great men.who have steered the ship of English politics have passed bwieat.li its unimpoaing From the street, No. 10 looks small, ill-lit, and inconvenient; and, indeed, the forer-art of the house is all this, but a hundred years ago a wing of considerable size was thrown out at tho back, and materially added to its comfort. Tho front door, which still bears the old brass plate, with "First Lord of the Treasury" faintly inscribed on it, gives access to a large, square hull, the panelled walls of which are plainly painted, unfurnished but for a porter's chair anil a clock. Loading from this ball is the old Cabinet chamber, the fine long windows of which overlook tho long garden terrace. Although of great size, this room, with it? old associations, has lx;cn abandoned as a council ohambcr, and given over to secretarial work, while the Cabinet meets either m the rJßeial reception room of the First Lord or in the drawing room, a charming apartment looking across the Horse Guards' Parade. Also on the first floor is the room always used by llr Gladstone as his private study, the almost, bare monotony of which is only broken by the fow engravings of past Premiere on the walls. The remainder of the first floor is given up to reception rooms which, if not imposing in size or beautiful in decoration, are sufficiently interesting to the intelligent visitor. ' The pictures, of which there are many are mainly portraits of dead-and-gone occupants of the First Lord's residence, while in more than one room hang 6ome exquisitelv-de-signed candelabra, which hold 50 limits apiece. =

The dining room, (he only one of the suite approaching magnificence in its proportions. Js always used on the occasion of the ICinrj's birthday dinners, and under these circumstances presents a trulv fine sight. Tho garden, which ie reached by a broad double flight of steps from the terrace, is simply arranged with a large lawn, shadowed by some very old trees, and a broad sweep of gravel, where in the wettest weather a little exercise can be taken Scats are scattered about, and in . Hie summer afternoons tea out there is quite a recognised institution The garden wall is high, and i ? pierced by more than one door, One in particular has lieen popalar With many Prime Ministers as a quiet wav of egress and ingress, and the kev which opens it has been an inestimable 'boon to many an overworked official of State, who who bows that a mob is waiting for him at bis front door.

But though this di.igly old house, with its paneled walls and shallow staircases may be the home of the First Lord of Hie Ireasury, it can scarcely be termed his castle; for every member of the Cabinet receives, on appointment, a key which gives him access to the house. These beys are retained while their owners hold office, but they have to be given up at Ihe same time as their portfolios. The despatch P? 3 "* belonging to the office of First Lord of the Treasury also pass, like the keys, from hand to hand. They are small boxes, oblong in shape, and very well made. They are covered with scarlet morocco leather, and have two keys, one of which is always in possession of tho Minister, the other belonging to the permanent head of the department. It was in'a small waitingroom at No, 10 Downing street that Wclineton and Nelson, according to tradition, had their ono and only meeting. It was before Wellington had attained a'dukedom, and he was only Sir Arthur Wellesey. Tho two great men, who had hot been introduced (though Wellesley knew Nelson from having seen his picture), passed the time while waiting in cheery conversation. Nelson, who left the room first, asked an attendant the name of the stranger whose manner and talk had so much impressed him. " Indeed, my time has not been wasted!" he said, when he heard the soldier's name.