BLENHEIM PALACE AND ITS MISTRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6144, 2 April 1898, Page 3

BLENHEIM PALACE AND ITS MISTRESS.

(Daily Mail.) The young Duchess of Marlborough has evinced great judgment and ability in restoring Blenheim Palace to its former magnificence. But from the first she loved the old palace, and she has spent great care and thought upon its improvement. Since her residence at Blenheim all fees taken at the gates from tourists who visit the palace have been devoted to charity, and oat of her own pocket and her own heart the duchess advisesmany schemes for amusing sndbenefiting her husband'B tenants. One of her favourite recreations is visiting among the old people, and another the planning of tea parties and various outings for the children, in which she always takes part. Inside the park gates her presence is quite as emphatically felt as in the village, for since her coming the park a lake has been dug out, cleared of weeds, and stocked with water fowl, and the garden is in perfect order. The duchess is artistic, and everywhere in the palace there "is evidence of her decorative taste. Modern furniture and draperies have replaced the old and much-faded ones. Miles of the costließt carpets cover the long hallo and drawing-rooms, large and small. Upon them are placed the rarest Oriental rugs. Walls that were covered with tapestries have been freshly hung with French brocades, and the windows are screened wtah the most beautiful hangings. All is bright and rich. Roses fill the vases, photographs of well-known American women abound, and American magazines are scattered about the library. The library is furnished in white and scarlet. Ton years ago Blenheim Palace looked neglected ; now it blossoms again in all the glory for which it was once famous.