Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 3).djvu/417

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THE MARQUIS OF DUFFERIN AND AVA.
419

of this magnificent room, down the side of which runs a long corridor, the latter being separated from the main body of the apartment by pillars and hanging draperies. The windows on this side overlook the gardens of the Embassy, which are bounded in one part by the Aurelian wall of Ancient Rome while on the other one surveys the Via Venti Settembre, and the gates by which, twenty years ago, Garibaldi entered Rome. Under the régime of former ambassadors, this saloon was used only as a ball-room, but Lord and Lady Dufferin furnished it completely, and use it as their favourite sitting-room. On the walls of this and the adjoining apartments, are shields and weapons brought from India and Burmah, with a fine collection of the portraits of the great tributary princes of our Eastern Empire. On the tables lie the beautifully wrought cases of gold, silver, and ivory in which addresses were presented to the former Viceroy; among them is the casket of gold and gems that contained the documents in which the freedom of the City of London was bestowed upon him on his return from his brilliant rule in the East. At the foot of the staircase, which is of white marble with balustrade of the same, and branches off to right and left, is another Oriental memento, the gilded figure of an Indian god; and behind that is the fine entrance hall, its roof resting on columns of marble, and which, under Lord Dufferin's directions, has been fitted up with divans and lounges in crimson cloth.


Inner Hall, Clandeboye.
From a Photo. by J. Mack, Coleraine.

The rest of the interior views which we have included in our series, are those of Lord Dufferin's estate in Ireland. The mansion of Clandeboye was erected in the reign of James I., but has been frequently altered and enlarged since that time. From the terraces one has a fine view over the lake, which has already been mentioned, and of the park, which, among its other features, includes a well-grown pinetum. Within, the interesting appearance of the entrance-hall at once strikes one, as here are collected treasures from all parts of the world—stuffed seals and skins from the Arctic regions, great brown bears from the Rockies, and tiger-skins from the East. The native weapons of different savage tribes, including the tomahawks of the Red Indians, form